A Times Literary Supplement Best Book of 2016An epic; groundbreaking account of the ethnic and state violence that followed the end of World War I―conflicts that would shape the course of the twentieth centuryFor the Western Allies; November 11; 1918; has always been a solemn date―the end of fighting that had destroyed a generation; but also a vindication of a terrible sacrifice with the total collapse of the principal enemies: the German Empire; Austria-Hungary; and the Ottoman Empire. But for much of the rest of Europe this was a day with no meaning; as a continuing; nightmarish series of conflicts engulfed country after country.In The Vanquished; a highly original and gripping work of history; Robert Gerwarth asks us to think again about the true legacy of the First World War. In large part it was not the fighting on the Western Front that proved so ruinous to Europe’s future; but the devastating aftermath; as countries on both sides of the original conflict were savaged by revolutions; pogroms; mass expulsions; and further major military clashes. In the years immediately after the armistice; millions would die across central; eastern; and southeastern Europe before the Soviet Union and a series of rickety and exhausted small new states would come into being. It was here; in the ruins of Europe; that extreme ideologies such as fascism would take shape and ultimately emerge triumphant.As absorbing in its drama as it is unsettling in its analysis; The Vanquished is destined to transform our understanding of not just the First World War but the twentieth century as a whole.
#4208500 in Books 2015-07-28 2015-07-28Original language:English 7.75 x 1.00 x 5.00l; .75 #File Name: 0349140421400 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Excellent story of the European discovery of AustraliaBy Colin PettitWhat a wonderful story that delves into the lives of those intrepid souls that set out on the mammoth task to sail and map the coastline of Australia.This was an extraordinarily difficult task and many lives were lost before the new found knowledge was able to be carried back to Europe. Even war between England France did not prevent the free exchange of knowledge about New Holland between these rivals.I see parallels in this story with contemporary efforts to land humans on the Moon; with a major difference being that the Moon; to date; has not been colonised.Successful Australian coastline navigators had the challenge of disease; shipwreck; and the limits of technology to deal with and those that were able to manage these challenges were rewarded handsomely with grants of land in the new colony or commercial success as an author.This book has deepened my knowledge of the European discovery of Australia and I found the story of Flinders missing some major East Coast rivers on his first journey north of Port Jackson to be particularly poignant. I'm sure he would have been mightily embarrassed once they were found.Another story I found fascinating was the prediction; by experienced sailors; of the existence of Bass Strait due to tidal movements in the area. Once confirmed this provided ships a faster route to Port Jackson.I haven't finished this engaging story as yet (I'm about 40% through) however; I can tell this will be a book I will refer to for the rest of my life. It is fascinating.Congratulations to David Hill; he has thoroughly researched and authored a book which has all the elements of high adventure; scientific discovery and sheer guts. All that was needed to settle the harsh and unforgiving land of Australia.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Doing it the hard wayBy Albert Evie ProbertAn easy to read account relating to many of the great early mariners who went through unbelievable hardships to discover and. navigate the shoreline of Australia and surrounding countries. A good read0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Informative but never dullBy JohnEvery Aussie knows something about Matthew Flinders but this book gives a brisk but detailed account of his circumnavigation of the continent and of his subsequent imprisonment on Mauritius
