This second edition of A History of Modern Germany offers a comprehensive overview of German history from its transformation as a loose patchwork of states in 1800 to its emergence as the most powerful unified nation in Europe today. The narrative begins with the Napoleon's impact on a fragmented Germany, tracing the development of a national consciousness, and the tensions between reform and reaction, culminating in national unification. The book addresses the tumultuous events from Germany's past, including the rise and fall of the German Empire, the failure of the Weimar Republic, the twelve fateful years of the Third Reich, the division of post-war Germany, the collapse of Communism and developments since reunification. For this new edition, distinguished historian Martin Kitchen delves deeper into issues relating to Germany's social structure to offer additional insights into the complexities of Germany's turbulent history. He also examines the course of the German DemocraticRepublic in greater depth, and reflects on the country's current internal challenges and its evolving role within the wider international community
"Kitchen sets out to tell a story, and he tells it well. His sentences are elegant and his narrative is enriched with striking facts and characterisation about the statesmen he portrays. This is a complex and subtly written book." Times Higher Education Supplement "The best general textbook now available on modern Germany, Martin Kitchen's study is exceptionally rich in its coverage of all aspects of German history from the late 18th to the very end of the 20th century. It is also very accessible. Without losing sight of the big questions of the country's tumultuous and complex history, the author, with the help of frequent sub-headings, facilitates easy orientation for the reader looking for information on and analysis of specific issues." V.R. Berghahn, Columbia University"--
