I bought this book more than a year ago and was very excited to read it. Somehow it was forgotten for a while and only now did I finally return to it. I have always loved history and already know quite a bit about the subject, so naturally there was not a huge amount that felt completely new to me. Still, the book offered many details I had only heard about in passing and had never explored more deeply, which made the experience worthwhile.

„Europe is an astonishingly successful place. But it would take volumes to tell its story, right? Wrong. From warring peoples to peace, wealth and freedom, Andrew Jenkins distills its evolution into this short, single-volume history. From Greece and Rome, through the French Revolution to the Second World War and modern times. Taking in leaders such as Julius Caesar, Joan of Arc, Wellington and Angela Merkel. Sharing stories of cultural figures like Aristotle, Shakespeare and Picasso.“

Blurb

I found the book very comfortable to read and also enjoyable to listen to as an audio book, even though it contains a considerable amount of information. While my English is quite strong due to reading, listening to, and watching a lot of English content, it was sometimes challenging to keep all the names and places straight, especially since I am more familiar with their German forms. Of course, this is not a fault of the book itself.

Overall, I found it highly informative and consistently interesting, and I would definitely recommend it. However, there is one small reservation. I think the narrative could have been a bit more engaging, perhaps more humorous or simply more vivid in tone. I cannot help comparing it to “A Short History of Nearly Everything” by Bill Bryson, even though the two authors and their goals may not be entirely comparable. Bryson manages to include more memorable anecdotes, surprising facts, and moments of lightness that stay with the reader long after finishing the book. In contrast, this book moves steadily through historical periods and events in a more traditional and sometimes slightly dry manner.

That said, it remains a very solid and rewarding read. Anyone with an interest in European history will find much to appreciate here, and despite my minor criticism, I am glad I finally picked it up.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️