Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945

By: Tony Judt

Narrated by: Ralph Cosham

Length: 43 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize • Winner of the Council on Foreign Relations Arthur Ross Book Award • One of the New York Times’ Ten Best Books of the Year

“Impressive . . . Mr. Judt writes with enormous authority.” —The Wall Street Journal

“Magisterial . . . It is, without a doubt, the most comprehensive, authoritative, and yes, readable postwar history.” —The Boston Globe

Almost a decade in the making, this much-anticipated grand history of postwar Europe from one of the world’s most esteemed historians and intellectuals is a singular achievement. Postwar is the first modern history that covers all of Europe, both east and west, drawing on research in six languages to sweep listeners through thirty-four nations and sixty years of political and cultural change—all in one integrated, enthralling narrative. The book incorporates international relations, domestic politics, ideas, social change, economic development, and culture—high and low. Every country has its chance to play the lead, and although the big themes are superbly handled—including the cold war, the love/hate relationship with America, cultural and economic malaise and rebirth, and the myth and reality of unification—none of them is allowed to overshadow the rich pageant that is the whole. Vividly and clearly written for the general listener, witty, opinionated, and full of fresh and surprising stories and asides, Postwar is a movable feast for lovers of history and lovers of Europe alike.

Both intellectually ambitious and compelling, thrilling in its scope and delightful in its small details, Postwar is a rare joy.

©2005 Tony Judt (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A book that has the pace of a thriller and the scope of an encyclopedia…A very considerable achievement…Brilliant." ( New York Review of Books)

“Remarkable…. The writing is vivid; the coverage—of little countries as well as of great ones—is virtually superhuman.” ( The New Yorker)

“Massive, kaleidoscopic, and thoroughly readable…[Judt’s] book now becomes the definitive account of Europe’s rise from the ashes and its takeoff into an uncertain future.” ( Time)

Outstanding

Wonderful overview and thoughtful analysis of critical recent history. We need a clear understanding of events still shaping current events. This book does that.

Through a different looking glass

Having learned history only through the lens of the American experience and point of view, I have never really understood why there was so much resentment towards Americans. This book is written by a Brit and offers insight to the experience of the Europeans during and after WWII.

Most of the information was from a new point of view and offered a different perspective than I could not have developed on my own by consuming history written by Americans.

The book seems to skip about, but it is only a literary tool used to keep the timeline synchronized as the author worked each country into the history. At some points it was a little difficult to follow and there were some parts that seemed disingenuous, but that is only my opinion based on my perspective.

Outstanding book, fantastic education and it was well read. I completely enjoyed it.

Modern History at its best!

Long and sometimes wordy BUT if you love History this will satisfy you completely.

VERY interesting and important but not good listen

Where does Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

#1 This is my first audible book.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

All of the facts, figures and story related to post war Europe is very interesting. The least interesting chapters were those that dealt with culture rather than politics. Important but not as interesting.

What does Ralph Cosham bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I like his voice and the way he teaches the story. Plus, since it is a story about Europe having a British narrator makes sense and the story that much more "real."

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

This is nonfiction

Any additional comments?

This book is very interesting and important but I think because of that reason I would have appreciated reading it more deliberately. Occasionally I would drift off into thoughts about the comments made in the book. This book would have been better, at least for me if read rather than listened to.

A remarkable book

I consider this one of the two or three most important and enlightening books I've read in the last 15 years. It presents a very balanced view of post-war Europe, its problems, achievements and challenges. Having read a great deal of traditional European history, I thought I was reasonably well informed in that area, but I was wrong--at least in regard to contemporary Europe. I've had a typical Ameri-centric perspective, with no real knowledge or appreciation of what differentiates Europeans, not only from Americans, but from each other. The problems they have faced and continue to face make our red state/blue state battles seem petty. The author is equally critical of Socialism and Thatcherism, Communism and Fascism, and in my view presents a balanced approach to both America's achievements and contributions and its short-comings from a European perspective.

History for the first time

Where does Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top tier history audiobook. Struck the ideal balance between detail and broadstroke trends.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945?

Up until this audiobook my exposure to history ended at WW2 and my awareness of current events of european politics began in the late 1980's. The massive changes occuring in western and especially eastern europe was essentially unknow to me. Tony Judt clarified the tumultous post war years with clarity despite juggling many different story lines (eastern vs western, social vs political) at the same time.

Mesmerizing, thoughtful and powerful

This is the best book on post war Europe . The author incorporates all facets of society that were changed and shaped by WW 2. The amount of information in this book is massive and very well organized. It is read beautifully. I shall listen to this book many times. This is a must for anyone who likes history

Excellent Historical Overview

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I strongly recommend for perspective on European attitudes and relations with USA today.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945?

Description of the fall of communism after 1989.

Which character – as performed by Ralph Cosham – was your favorite?

N/A

Any additional comments?

This book covers a lot of ground, for a lot of countries, but does an adequate job of giving at once the general historical and cultural trends, and enough detail of the personalities and events that shaped the era. The book stops around 2005, however, before the current economic difficulties. This would be an entire new chapter because as of 2005 Europe was in the ascendency, optimistic and successful. What a difference 5 years can make. As we leave the narrative, Europe is more anti-American, richer and confident that it is now. I urge Mr. Judt to update his book with a sequal or second edition to cover more recent events.

A True Masterpiece

This is a masterpiece of a book. Judt synthesizes history, philosophy, sociology, film, art, social memory theory, linguistics, political philosophy, and religion into one tour deforce on Europe after WWII. The astonishing fact is that he is at home in each of these fields. He gives off the air of a master-teacher who provides only the information that is necessary to further understanding yet withholds so much more.

This is one of those books that, although you "finished" it, the amount of information left to be absorbed is far greater. I listened to this as an audiobook, so my absorption was less than it would have been had I visually read it. But the audio experience was sufficient to communicate that the book is truly a masterpiece.

I will definitely be reading this again one day.

Eye Opener

So much can be learned from this book and don't know where to start but will listen to this book more than twice just to grasp everything that it has to offer. Tony Judt provide critical information on what composes the modern political theater, human suffrages and the difficulties and realities of the choices made over the last century. Ralph Cosham provides an appropriate and intellectual delivery. Main stream focus in the US is always on WWII but this blows the lid off common American perception and so much more.