Roller-Coaster

More about the book

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.