An acclaimed international bestseller which tells the story of Europe’s most admired and feared country, from the Roman age to Charlemagne to von Bismarck to Merkel. A country both admired and feared, Germany has been the epicentre of world events time and again: the Reformation, both World Wars, the fall of the Berlin Wall. It did not emerge as a modern nation until 1871 – yet today, Germany is the world’s fourth-largest economy and a standard-bearer of liberal democracy. With more than 100 maps and images, this is a fresh, concise and entertaining history which since release has sold over 300 000 copies internationally.

‘Comprehensive and vivid… I don’t know of a better short history of this great country.’ – Philip Pullman

‘Germany as you’ve never known it: a bold thesis; an authoritative sweep and an exhilarating read.’ – Prof Karen Leeder, Oxford University