Instant European History: From the French Revolution to the Cold War [Paperback]

Robert P. Libbon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 20, 1996

From the French Revolution to the Cold War, this spirited chronicle brings European history to life, following the trails of treachery, unearthing the dirt on key historical figures, and reconstructing dramatic revolutionary battles.  So if you've ever wondered why Napolean's boundless ambition led to Waterloo or how Hitler stalled on the rocky road to Moscow, this book is for you.

Besides uncovering all the juicy facts you forgot from History 101, Instant European History reveals the surprising side of people and events that conventional accounts ignore.

You'll learn:

Why the first king of Great Britain couldn't speak English.
Why the "war to end all wars" was followed by...another war.
How the guillotine gave French Revolutionaries a middle-class tax cut.
How a German exile invented the philosophy that made Russia see red.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

From the French Revolution to the Cold War, this spirited chronicle brings European history to life, following the trails of treachery, unearthing the dirt on key historical figures, and reconstructing dramatic revolutionary battles. So if you've ever wondered why Napolean's boundless ambition led to Waterloo or how Hitler stalled on the rocky road to Moscow, this book is for you.

Besides uncovering all the juicy facts you forgot from History 101, Instant European History reveals the surprising side of people and events that conventional accounts ignore.

You'll learn:

Why the first king of Great Britain couldn't speak English.
Why the "war to end all wars" was followed by...another war.
How the guillotine gave French Revolutionaries a middle-class tax cut.
How a German exile invented the philosophy that made Russia see red.

About the Author

Robert P. Libbon has a degree in European history and has been a writer for more than a dozen years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; 1 edition (February 20, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449907023
• ISBN-13: 978-0449907023
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.6 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #404,366 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History and humor, short and simple., December 2, 2000

By 

Edward Alexander Gerster "miamibooks" (South Miami, FL USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Instant European History: From the French Revolution to the Cold War (Paperback)

I don't often read history just for the enjoyment factor, but this book may have changed that. It is written in a straight forward manner, with humor and lightness that does not take away from the scholarship included. A true joy to read, even if you are familiar with many of the events, and you are sure to learn something new in the process.

Other books in this series, including the one on Physics, are equally entertaining and get their information across quite effectively. Highly recommended.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like It Was Written Just For Me, January 10, 2001

By 

Read Taylor - See all my reviews

This review is from: Instant European History: From the French Revolution to the Cold War (Paperback)

This book is exactly what I hoped it would be when I ordered it. A cheap, easy to read refresher of all the things I am embarrassed to admit I don't know or had forgotten. Each chapter starts w.a few important dates and there are a few pages within each section devoted to lists of important names and dates (great for skipping back when you can't quite remember what no-longer-existant country was run by the guy you're reading about in another chapter).

This book isn't made to make people suddenly experts on Europe. It is, however, a great way to quickly catch up on what you think you should have known. Personally, since I've only studied Chinese history for the past six years, I used it as a way to get the basics of this period back into my head before trying to read a book that would have been too in-depth after not studying Europe since high school. I read it in two one-hour blocks before bed, got the names down, and can look at it if I need a map, the one-paragraph version of the Prussian war or the end of World War I or to remember why exactly France kept replacing its governments. One of the best buys I've found.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Turly Excellent, November 16, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Instant European History: From the French Revolution to the Cold War (Paperback)

Kudos to Robert Libbon! This is a book for everyone from true history buffs to those who don't know the difference between Napoleon(s) I and III. A great deal of information is fit into a novel-size book. The info is clear, and presented in an entertaining way - expect laugter when reading this book. When you're done, you'll feel smarter (for having purchased and read this book.) A fine work, Mr. Libbon!