Summaries of books about European History:
Forty Autumns
A Family's Story of Courage and Survival on Both Sides of the Berlin Wall
Nina Willner
The book recounts the true story of a family separated by the Iron Curtain for over forty years, detailing their experiences in East Germany under Soviet control and their eventual reunion. It explores the impact of the Cold War on individual lives, highlighting the resilience and courage of those who lived through this period of division and oppression.
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The Sleepwalkers
How Europe Went to War in 1914
Christopher Clark
The book examines the complex web of political, diplomatic, and military events that led to the outbreak of World War I, highlighting the roles of various European powers. It delves into the decisions and misjudgments of leaders, the shifting alliances, and the escalating tensions that culminated in the war's ignition.
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The Miracle of Dunkirk
The True Story of Operation Dynamo
Walter Lord
The book provides a detailed account of the extraordinary evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk, France, during World War II, known as Operation Dynamo. It weaves together personal stories and strategic insights to illustrate the heroism and desperation of the soldiers and civilians involved in the rescue mission.
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East West Street
On the Origins of "Genocide" and "Crimes Against Humanity"
Philippe Sands
The book intertwines personal history with the legal developments that led to the establishment of "genocide" and "crimes against humanity" as concepts in international law, focusing on the lives and work of two key jurists, Hersch Lauterpacht and Raphael Lemkin, against the backdrop of the Nuremberg Trials. It also explores the author's own family connections to the city of Lviv and the impact of these legal milestones on his ancestors' fates during the Holocaust.
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The White Ship
Conquest, Anarchy and the Wrecking of Henry I’s Dream
Charles Spencer
The book recounts the tragic sinking of the White Ship in 1120, which led to the death of King Henry I's heir and plunged England into a period of violent succession struggle known as The Anarchy. It explores the political and social consequences of the disaster, including the ensuing civil war between Henry's daughter Matilda and her cousin Stephen for the English crown.
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Over the Edge of the World
Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe
Laurence Bergreen
The book chronicles Ferdinand Magellan's historic 1519 voyage as he set sail from Spain with five ships to discover a western sea route to the Spice Islands. It details the harrowing experiences faced by Magellan and his crew, including mutiny, navigation challenges, and encounters with indigenous peoples, culminating in the first circumnavigation of the Earth.
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The Six Wives of Henry VIII
Alison Weir
The book provides detailed biographies of Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Catherine Parr, exploring their lives, marriages, and individual impacts on English history. It delves into the political, religious, and personal dynamics of their relationships with King Henry VIII and the Tudor court.
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Lalechka, The Orphan Ghetto Girl
A WW2 Jewish Holocaust Survival True Story
Amira Keidar|ReadMore Press
The book tells the harrowing true story of a Jewish girl named Lalechka who is born in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. It follows her survival journey as her mother makes a desperate decision to save her from the Holocaust by entrusting her to a Polish family outside the ghetto.
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Black and British
A Forgotten History
David Olusoga
The book explores the rich and often overlooked history of Black people in Britain, tracing their presence and influence from Roman times to the present day. It delves into the personal stories, struggles, and contributions of Black Britons, challenging the historical narrative that has traditionally marginalized their role in Britain's past.
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Anne Boleyn
500 Years of Lies
Hayley Nolan
The book challenges traditional narratives about Anne Boleyn, presenting her as a victim of early modern misogyny and political machinations rather than the scheming adulteress often depicted in history. It offers a revisionist perspective, using contemporary sources to argue for a reevaluation of her life and her role in the English Reformation.
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