Course Of German History, The

Description: One of A.J.P. Taylor's best-known books, The Course of German History is a notoriously idiosyncratic work. Composed in his famously witty style, yet succinct to the point of sharpness, this is one of the great historian's finest, if more controversial, accomplishments. As Taylor himself noted, 'the history of the Germans is a history of extremes. It contains everything except moderation.' He could, of course, simply be referring to his own book. Review: 'Mr Taylor, by cutting down to a minimum the ballast of dates and names that so often encumbers historical writing, and concentrating on the fundamental trends and events, has achieved both brevity and lucidity.' - The Observer Table of Contents: 1. Divided Germany: The Legacy of the Holy Roman Empire 2. The Ascendancy of France, 1792-1814 3. The German Confederation: The Years of Austro-Prussian Partnership, 1815-48 4. 1848: The Year of German Liberalism 5. The Ascendancy of Austria, 1849-60 6. The Conquest of Germany by Prussia, 1862-71 7. Bismarckian Germany: The Ascendancy of Prussia, 1871-90 8. The Germany of William II: The Conquest of Prussia by Germany, 1890-1906 9. The Crisis of Hohenzollern Germany, 1906-1916 10. The Rule of the German Army, 1916-19 11. Republican Interregnum, 1919-30 12. Demagogic Dictatorship and the Completion of German Unity After 1930 Author Biography: A.J.P. Taylor (1906-90). British political and diplomatic historian, and noted journalist. He was the author of numerous bestselling works, including Bismarck, English History 1914-1945, The Origins of the Second World War and The War Lords.