An indispensable companion on any avid learner’s journey.
History holds numerous lessons for those with an appetite for scholarship, and Europe on the Path to Self-Destruction offers plenty in the way of education and enlightenment. With retrospection as a trusty traveling companion, Jack L. Schwartzwald acts as a tour guide for Europe between the years of 1815 and 1945. From a reorganized Europe emerging out of Napoleonic rule to fragmented governments picking up the pieces as they deal with the impact of two World Wars, this inclusive study explores a group of nations who almost had it all. As a reminder of the value of reviewing and reasoning on history, astute readers will undoubtedly find analogs and lessons in current world events and political maneuvers. The lively text is organized and cleverly named to coincide with Charles Darwin’s contemporaneous works, highlighting how history has applied and misapplied Darwin’s conclusions since their inception. Intriguing sidebars and substantiated rumors give life to political and historical figures who, apart from sensationalized Hollywood films, can otherwise seem rather one-dimensional. Artwork depicting some of these notable characters balances out the text and helps cement the concepts and events in the minds of visual learners.
An unprecedented time of political, industrial, and societal revolution, the comprehensive Europe on the Path to Self-Destruction: Nationalism and the Struggle for Hegemony, 1815-1945 is an efficient and orderly tool that is as engaging as it is educational. This meticulously well-researched volume highlights an era when battles for hegemony on the part of one group or another are the common thread binding the nations of Europe. Schwartzwald’s wit colors some of history’s darkest moments, helping readers and students gain levity and perspective while considering a ponderously chaotic time in Europe’s storied past. While some may find history to be a flat, dark recitation of hostile takeovers and societal transitions, valuable achievements throughout the specified time period, from the development of surgical anesthesia to the formulation of the periodic table, act as an inspirational counterbalance to the years of upheaval. If you’re looking to expand or refresh your knowledge base of European history, Europe on the Path to Self-Destruction is an indispensable companion on any avid learner’s journey.
