The Shortest History of Germany

From Julius Caesar to Angela Merkel: A Retelling for Our Times

By: James Hawes

Narrated by: Matthew Lloyd Davies

Length: 6 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

2,000 years of history in one riveting afternoon

A country both admired and feared, Germany has been the epicenter of world events time and again: the Reformation, both World Wars, the fall of the Berlin Wall. It did not emerge as a modern nation until 1871 - yet today, Germany is the world's fourth-largest economy and a standard-bearer of liberal democracy.

"There's no point studying the past unless it sheds some light on the present", writes James Hawes in this brilliantly concise history that has already captivated hundreds of thousands of readers and listeners. "It is time, now more than ever, for us all to understand the real history of Germany."

©2019 James Hawes (P)2019 Tantor

Critic reviews

“An excellent little book . . . [Hawes] has a sense of humour, and a sharp eye for similarities between then and now.” (The Spectator)

A very interesting History that seems to repeat itself

A great performance and very interesting history about Germany and how it became such a significant country in Europe.

Best Perspective on German History

This book puts forth historical comparisons of east vs west German with American north vs south that I have never previously considered. An excellent book.

I learned a great deal.

My German history was lacking. I now have a context for German & European news.

Learned a lot

The east west divide in german and prussia is informative and gives a clearer understanding of germany as a whole.

The narrator can’t pronounce German

I am happy with the content of the book, but unfortunately the narrator can’t pronounce German names and words, which makes listening painful to me.

Difficult to hear the narración. Very interestin

Very helpful history. Many surprising observations. unfortunately the narrador softens his vice at importante points.

much needed summary in English!

I would like another on the same subject for comparison and contrast since I'm ba

Great book

Terrific depiction of an important and complex people. The narration was entertaining and projected sincerity.

Narrator is so frustrating

Narrator drops his voice at the end of most sentences. If you are driving or walking and any other ambient noise is present, he is unintelligible. I was constantly rewinding to try to understand this very interesting story.
Author seemed to be unbiased until the last third of the book, when all troubles of Germany are said to be based upon Prussians and their influence. I currently lack the background to appreciate whether this is accurate, but it was a very interesting story--if I heard it properly.

Antifa book? Really?

The history story is written very dry. It is as if we are walking a timeline, not walking through history in story form. Then, from World War 2 on, it becomes disappointing. Nationalism fears finishes the book. That’s not history. That is an opinion piece. Find another book.