Ian Kershaw Books

Following the enormous success of HITLER: HUBRIS this book triumphantly completes one of the great modern biographies. No figure in twentieth century history more clearly demands a close biographical understanding than Adolf Hitler; and no period is more important than the Second World War. Beginning with Hitler's startling European successes in the aftermath of the Rhinelland occupation and ending nine years later with the suicide in the Berlin bunker, Kershaw allows us as never before to understand the motivation and the impact of this bizarre misfit. He addresses the crucial questions about the unique nature of Nazi radicalism, about the Holocaust and about the poisoned European world that allowed Hitler to operate so effectively.

Ian Kershaw's biography of Hitler is a definitive work that combines a personal history of the dictator with an analysis of the forces that enabled his rise to power. Kershaw explores Hitler's impact and the context of Nazi Germany, providing a vivid account of his ascent and the resulting atrocities of World War II.

'Superb ... likely to become a classic' Observer In the summer of 1914 most of Europe plunged into a war so catastrophic that it unhinged the continent's politics and beliefs in a way that took generations to recover from. The disaster terrified its survivors, shocked that a civilization that had blandly assumed itself to be a model for the rest of the world had collapsed into a chaotic savagery beyond any comparison. In 1939 Europeans would initiate a second conflict that managed to be even worse - a war in which the killing of civilians was central and which culminated in the Holocaust. To Hell and Back tells this story with humanity, flair and originality. Kershaw gives a compelling narrative of events, but he also wrestles with the most difficult issues that the events raise - with what it meant for the Europeans who initiated and lived through such fearful times - and what this means for us.

Finally, the one-volume edition of Ian Kershaw's definitive and masterful biography of Hitler. "The Hitler biography of the twenty-first century" (Richard J. Evans), Ian Kershaw's Hitler is a new, distilled, one-volume masterpiece that will become the standard work. From Hitler's origins as a failed artist in fin-de-si_cle Vienna to the terrifying last days in his Berlin bunker, Kershaw's richly illustrated biography is a mesmerizing portrait of how Hitler attained, exercised, and retained power. Drawing on previously untapped sources, such as Goebbels's diaries, Kershaw addresses crucial questions about the unique nature of Nazi radicalism, about the Holocaust, and about the poisoned European world that allowed Hitler to operate so effectively. 151 photographs; 8 maps. "As close to definitive as anything we are ever likely to see."—Jane Kramer, The New Yorker "A superb biography."—Ian Buruma, New York Times Book Review "Massive, extensively researched, extraordinarily balanced, and remarkably judicious."—Omer Bartov, The New Republic "Will become the classic Hitler biography of our time."—Gordon Craig, New York Review of Books

Keith Lowe describes a continent still racked by violence, where large sections of the population had yet to accept that the war was over. He outlines the warped morality and the insatiable urge for vengeance that were the legacy of the conflict.

A powerful narrative detailing the final days of the Nazi regime and the collapse of a nation.

From one of Britain's most distinguished historians and the bestselling author of Hitler, this definitive history explores a divided Europe from the aftermath of the Second World War to the present. Following the horrors of the first half of the 20th century, the years from 1950 to 2017 brought peace and relative prosperity to much of Europe. Enormous economic improvements transformed the continent, allowing the catastrophic era of the world wars to fade into the past, though its long shadow continued to influence mentalities. Europe became a divided continent, living under nuclear threat and facing intermittent anxiety. Europeans experienced a tumultuous journey, often feeling powerless as the USA and USSR dictated their fates during the Cold War. There were notable successes, such as the dissolution of the Soviet bloc, the fall of dictatorships, and the reunification of Germany. However, accelerating globalization introduced new vulnerabilities. The interlocking crises post-2008 served as a stark reminder that peace and stability are not guaranteed. In this remarkable work, Ian Kershaw offers a grand panorama of contemporary Europe and its origins, prompting a reevaluation of what it means to be European.

Kershaw presents an understanding of Hitler and of the sequence of events which allowed a misfit to climb to the leadership of Germany. As Hitler's pitiful fantasy of being Germany's saviour attracted more and more support, Kershaw conveys why so many Germans adored and connived with him or felt powerless to resist him.

Ian Kershaw's Fateful Choices examines pivotal political decisions that significantly influenced the trajectory of the Second World War. The tumultuous events at the war's onset created an unpredictable landscape where aggressors pursued boundless ambitions while their victims faced the threat of a new Dark Age. Kershaw delves into ten crucial decisions made from May 1940, when Britain opted against surrender, to December 1941, when Hitler resolved to annihilate Europe's Jews, illustrating how these choices reshaped history. The book has garnered praise for its powerful arguments and its ability to alter perspectives on the conflict. Andrew Roberts calls it "important," while Alan Massie highlights its contribution to understanding the war. Richard Overy commends Kershaw's scholarly rigor and sound judgment, noting his compelling re-examination of the conflict. Max Hastings describes it as a lucid and impeccably argued exploration of the war's greatest political decisions. Anthony Beevor emphasizes Kershaw's immense knowledge and clarity, calling the work brilliantly explained and wise. Kershaw, a leading authority on Hitler and a former Professor of Modern History at the University of Sheffield, has authored several influential works, including his acclaimed biographies of Hitler.

After the overwhelming horrors of the first half of the 20th century, the years from 1950 to 2017 brought peace and relative prosperity to most of Europe. Enormous economic improvements transformed the continent, while the catastrophic era of the world wars receded into the past, though its long shadow continued to shape mentalities. Europe became a divided continent, living under the nuclear threat, marked by intermittent anxiety. Europeans experienced a 'roller-coaster ride' of events that threatened disaster, often feeling powerless as the USA and USSR dictated their fates during the Cold War. There were notable successes, such as the dissolution of the Soviet bloc, the fall of dictatorships, and the reunification of Germany. However, accelerating globalization introduced new vulnerabilities. The impact of interlocking crises after 2008 served as a stark reminder that peace and stability were not guaranteed. In this remarkable work, the author presents a grand panorama of contemporary Europe and its historical roots, drawing on examples from across the continent. This exploration encourages a reevaluation of Europe and the essence of being European.