DOC To Hell and Back: Europe 1914-1949 (The Penguin History of Europe) by Ian Kershaw in History

Review

72 of 74 people found the following review helpful. The Wheels Come OffBy David ShulmanThe Europe of 1914; at least for its bourgeoisie; represented the height of civilization; the “Belle Époque” if you will. And of a sudden the wheels fell off the track and the continent plunged into the darkness The Great War. British historian Ian Kershaw certainly proves George Kennan’s maxim that World War I was “the great seminal catastrophe of the 20th Century.” The war arose in the milieu of ethnic nationalism; territorial revisionism and increasing class conflict growing out of mass industrialization. These three factors would remain long after the war ended and into this pot would be thrown the crisis in capitalism induced by the Great Depression.Also arising out of the war was the successful Bolshevik Revolution that sent chills down the spines of the conservative elite. To Kershaw this was the most important event of the 20th Century because the very real fear of communism made opposition to the rise of fascism far more difficult in the West. It hardened the right and split the left.As a result the crisis in capitalism forced politics to the right rather than the left which is not too much different from what happened post-2008. Thus the West’s response to the rise of fascism was timid; to say the least with respect to Germany’s re-occupation of the Rhineland in 1936; the Spanish Civil War and the dismemberment of Czechoslovakia in 1938. All the while the great purge trials were going on in Moscow.Kershaw’s view of this history seems more deterministic than say that of Zara Steiner’s. To him there is more or less a straight-line between the Versailles settlements to the start of World War II. To be sure he gives credit to “the spirit of Locarno;” but not enough in my opinion. He also leaves out two chance events that may have altered history. The first is outside his topic and that was the premature death of New York Federal Reserve President in 1928. Had he lived; in the minds of more than a few economists the worst effects of the Great Depression might have been avoided. Within his bailiwick was again the premature death of German Foreign Minister Gustav Stresemann in October 1929. If there ever were a German politician who could have stopped Hitler; it was Stresemann.Kershaw brings the holocaust to the forefront in Hitler’s war of annihilation in the East in his coverage of World War II. Simply put Hitler wanted to conquer the West; but he wanted to destroy the East. He almost succeeded.Kershaw finishes his book with the beginnings of the postwar recovery; the role of the Marshall plan and the start of the Cold War. By 1949 Europe is central to the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union; but its power is but a shadow of its former self. Kershaw has done an excellent job in portraying this epochal period that this review hardly does justice to.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. One of the best British historians writes another great bookBy Kreg FamilyguyMy only problem with this effort is the extremes he goes to in making the British always in the right on every cause in all the conflicts. Britain had equal guilt I world war if not more than the Germans who only told the Austrians they would support them if Russian attacked them. Austria-hungary only wanted to punish the Serbians for their complicity in terrorism.British leaders wanted a chance to cut the Germans down so British Hegemony would not be interfered with or supplanted. France just wanted to get even with Germany for beating them the last time; which everyone conveniently forgets France started! Versailles as he makes clear was the cause of Hitler and who created Versailles? British and French leaders! He avoids this to keep Germany the Villian. Churchill wanted both wars to grow and then preserve the Empire. He never mentions this and i still liked his book7 of 8 people found the following review helpful. A textbook in need of an editorBy Patrick HodgesThis is a very broad and wide ranging summary of European history. This is difficult task to accomplish in a single volume. I was a little underwhelmed; but not disappointed. This is a fascinating and foundation period; so there is plenty of interesting subject matter. The author takes a popular;or perhaps populist; perspective to outline many of the events taking place throughout Europe. The book relies heavily on the works of other historians; and presents the material in a well organized manner. The work is inclusive and wide ranging in that it strives to present a comparative view of many nations and peoples both chronologically and topically. However; the book does not present any new ideas; and is not particularly thought provoking. It is more a collection of conclusory statements with a textbook feel; and events are seen through a Western European (i.e.; English) lens. My biggest criticism is the writing style which is often difficult to read. Run-on sentences are common; and frequently exceed 30 words. If you're looking for a gripping read or new ideas; this is not the book for you. However; if you're looking for solid introduction to events during a dynamic and important period; then "To Hell and Back" is worth a read.