Microcosm

Fülszöveg

'This big, lucidly written and fact-filled book admirably achieves its purpose... Anyone who enjoyed Norman Davies's blockbuster histories of Europe and "The Isles" will recognise the same qualities in this book: a gift for broad exposition, a marvellous eye for quirky but revelatory details, and, above all, a willingness to question the categories of traditional history, wherever they may come from.' Noel Malcolm, Sunday Telegrapb The story of Central Europe is anything but simple. The region has always been endowed with a rich variety of migrants, and has repeatedly been the scene of nomadic invasions, mixed settlements and military conquests. It has witnessed a profusion of languages, religions, nationalities and cultural transformations. In order to present a portrait of Central Europe, Norman Davies and Roger Moorhouse have made a case study of one of its most colourful cities, the former Germán Breslau, which became the Polish Wroclaw after the Second World War. The... Tovább

Fülszöveg

'This big, lucidly written and fact-filled book admirably achieves its purpose... Anyone who enjoyed Norman Davies's blockbuster histories of Europe and "The Isles" will recognise the same qualities in this book: a gift for broad exposition, a marvellous eye for quirky but revelatory details, and, above all, a willingness to question the categories of traditional history, wherever they may come from.' Noel Malcolm, Sunday Telegrapb The story of Central Europe is anything but simple. The region has always been endowed with a rich variety of migrants, and has repeatedly been the scene of nomadic invasions, mixed settlements and military conquests. It has witnessed a profusion of languages, religions, nationalities and cultural transformations. In order to present a portrait of Central Europe, Norman Davies and Roger Moorhouse have made a case study of one of its most colourful cities, the former Germán Breslau, which became the Polish Wroclaw after the Second World War. The traditional capital of the province of Silesia rose to prominence a thousand years ago as a trading centre and bishopric in Piast Poland. It became the second city of the kingdom of Bohemia, a major municipality of the Habsburg lands, and then a Residenzstadt of the kingdom of Prussia. The third largest city of nineteenth-century Germany, its population reached one millión, before the bittér siege by the Soviet Army in 1945 wrought almost totál destruction. Since then Wroclaw has risen from the ruins of war and is once again a thriving régiónál centre. The history of Silesia's main city is more than a fascinating tale in its own right. It embodies all the experiences which have made Central Europe what it is - a rich mixture of nationalities and cultures; the scene of Germán settlement and of the reflux of the Slavs; a Jewish presence of exceptional distinction; a turbulent succession of imperial rulers; and the shattering exposure to both Nazis and Stalinists. In short, it is a Central European microcosm. 'Absorbing...clear and persuasive...as even-handed, erudite and enlightening as history can be.' Sam Phipps, Herald 'Microcosm telis the story of the city across the centuries. While not neglecting ethnic hatred and folly, the book is a hymn to diversity and cultural achievement.' Economist 'A fascinating story.' Antony Beevor, author oíStalingrad and Berlin: The Downfall 1945 'The city is fortunate to have found such chroniclers as Davies and Roger Moorhouse.' Adam Zamoyski, Sunday Times 'By choosing an unfamiliar "middle-ranking provinciai centre", Davies and Moorhouse successfully lead us through the ethnic, religious and political maze that is Central Europe... The re-emergence of the city that was once called "The Flower of Europe" can only be aided by this admirable book.' Jonathan Patrick, Scotland on Sunday FIRST PAPERBACK PUBLICATION Vissza