One of A.J.P. Taylor's best-known books, The Course of German History is a notoriously idiosyncratic work. Composed in his famously witty style, yet succinct to the point of sharpness, this is one of the great historian's finest, if more controversial, accomplishments. As Taylor himself noted, 'the history of the Germans is a history of extremes. It contains everything except moderation.' He could, of course, simply be referring to his own book.

About the Author

A.J.P. Taylor (1906-90). British political and diplomatic historian, and noted journalist. He was the author of numerous bestselling works, including Bismarck, English History 1914-1945, The Origins of the Second World War and The War Lords.

Reviews

'Mr Taylor, by cutting down to a minimum the ballast of dates and names that so often encumbers historical writing, and concentrating on the fundamental trends and events, has achieved both brevity and lucidity.' -The Observer

'Mr Taylor, by cutting down to a minimum the ballast of dates and names that so often encumbers historical writing, and concentrating on the fundamental trends and events, has achieved both brevity and lucidity.'

'He is not only a brilliant but a profound historian.'

'The profound is mixed with the wisecrack. It has the shortcomings of its virtues. It will shock the scholarly reader but it must challenge him too.'

'The Course of German History is vivid, exciting, openly partisan.'

'His first best-seller, - The Course of German History was written in a "journalistic" rather than academic style and remains extremely readable.'

'Taylor's work is a model of stylish, scintillating compression.' - The Atlantic Monthly

'A lively, if polemical, short history written by one of the twentieth century's greatest historians.'

'Too much brilliancy is hurtful in intercourse with ideas, as too much wit is in intercourse with men; a dazzling formulation is apt to interfere with the precise presentation of a subject or thesis. Still, in spite of such shortcomings, the book should prove of high value in the study of the German problem.'

Book Information
ISBN 9780415255585
Author A.J.P. Taylor
Format Hardback
Page Count 304
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 720g