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Postwar
A History Of Europe Since 1945
by Tony Judt


8.8

based on 15 reviews
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based on 10 votes
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Official Publisher Site

The NYU historian tackles contemporary Europe in this extensively-researched volume.

Penguin, 896 pages
10/06/2005
$39.95

ISBN: 1594200653

Nonfiction
History

All reviews are classified as one of five grades: Outstanding (4 points), Favorable (3), Mixed (2), Unfavorable (1) and Terrible (0). To calculate the Metascore, we divide total points achieved by the total points possible (i.e., 4 x the number of reviews), with the resulting percentage (multiplied by 100) being the Metascore. Learn more...

New York Review Of Books Alan Ryan

A book that has the pace of a thriller and the scope of an encyclopedia; it is a very considerable achievement.

Publishers Weekly

This is the best history we have of Europe in the postwar period and not likely to be surpassed for many years. [29 Aug 2005, p. 43]

The Guardian Norman Davies

Overall, the great schoolmaster in the sky might mark this effort at 8 or 9 out of 10. Determined nit-pickers, with their own priorities, might rate it lower. The only sensible response to their carping is: "Let them produce something better." In reality, it is most unlikely that Judt's achievement will be superseded soon.

The Spectator Geoffrey Wheatcroft

This is a splendid book to which no review can do proper justice. So many subjects are adroitly dealt with, from the truly drastic transformation of southern European countries to the rapid decline of religion.

Boston Globe John Freeman

Aside from its sheer brickish heft, it is, without a doubt, the most comprehensive, authoritative, and, yes, readable postwar history.

Library Journal Barbara Walden

Not all historians will agree with every one of Judt's assertions, but this book is certain to be a major addition to postwar European studies. [1 Oct 2005, p. 93]

London Review Of Books Neal Ascherson

Judt has written, in great detail and at great length, the biography of a middle-aged continent trying, after a disgraceful past, to settle down and go straight.

TLS: The Times Literary Supplement Charles King

Elegant and provocative... a genuinely magisterial account of Europe's encounters with itself.

Wall Street Journal Norman Stone

Mr. Judt is a practiced writer, and he avoids the tedium trap with a sureness of touch that has to be admired. He can take on some dry subject and present its important aspects without clogging up the narrative.

Washington Post David P. Calleo

Tony Judt's new book is brave and remarkable.

The Independent John Gray

An admirably fair-minded assessment of Europe's achievements and failures.

The New York Times Book Review Anthony Gottlieb

One of the pleasures of this rich and immensely detailed book is its portrayal of Europe's recovery from the devastation of 1945 as an organic regrowth.

The New Yorker Louis Menand

The writing is vivid; the coverage--of little countries as well as of great ones--is virtually superhuman; and, above all, the book is smart.

San Francisco Chronicle Michael Roth

One of the strengths of Judt's book is his ability to illuminate some of the major issues for France, England and Germany, while also providing interesting insights into developments in many of the smaller countries.

The Economist

Mr Judt deals with grand and important themes. But, after announcing them in a powerful introduction, he proceeds to tell us at great length mainly what we know already.

The average user rating for this book is 8.8 (out of 10) based on 10 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Kai D gave it a7:
Obvioulsy a "narrative" on the past cannot be what a serious historian wants and needs - it is nice entertainment and if we could have music a la Ken Burns we would add that too here. But Judt states clearly in his preface that he knows that he is opinionated and that he portrays history through his ideological lense, so he's at least honest. There's nothing really wrong, apart from the fact that the 20th century does not really stop in 1989 AT ALL. So giveit to your grandparents or your friends interested in a global and subjective view on history.

Peter R gave it a9:
This book is a compellingly readable narrative covering events with which many of us are often only half familiar, for instance how many of us really have a clear recollection of the Greek Colonels coup or the emergence of Portugal from years of shadowy semi-fascism to democracy, let aone his fine recounting of the cultural changes of the period in question. It is a truly fine account of how the European world wound up where it now stands - who knows where it will go from here?

John T gave it a9:
I thought it started to drag in the '80s, but it may simply be that I recall that era better.

Rob gave it a4:
Judt definitely covers a lot of ground, but he tends to lose sight of the forest for all the trees. This book conveys no sense of the presence of a first-rate critical/historical mind, as does, say, Eric Hobsbawm's _Age of Extremes_ (a much richer and more brilliant work in every way). At times, Judt's discussion just degenerates into aimless rants about things he dislikes: punk rock music, deconstructionism, 60s-era radicalism. This is a middle-brow book by a middle-brow thinker and writer.

Bill C gave it a10:
Judt is a true hero.

theresa l gave it a10:
Brilliant!

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Postwar A History Of Europe Since 1945 by Tony Judt

Postwar
A History Of Europe Since 1945
by Tony Judt