The Global Age: Europe 1950-2017 (Penguin History of Europe)

I would like abit more unbridled opinion and interpretation from Prof Kershaw, but as always solid, balanced, and reliable.

Global Age is the second part of Ian Kershaw’s history of Europe in the extended 20th century. It takes us from 1950 when the division of Europe in two blocks was completed through the collapse of the Soviet Union to the development of the European Union all the way through Brexit. These were eventful years, and nobody could have predicted the tortuous path that history would follow. The book rightfully reminds us that this history was one of economic expansion and unprecedented prosperity, that allowed the development of the welfare state and the conditions for greater social justice.In the west, the two major imperialist powers (Great Britain and France) saw the end of their empires, inglorious for both, and very traumatic for France. But the most important events were the reconstruction of west Germany, the beginning of economic cooperation between European powers, and the reconciliation between France and Germany. In the east, the failure of the communist parties in power to meet people’s aspirations led to bloody uprising, repression, and reinforcing of the iron curtain. It took all the intelligence and courage of Mikhail Gorbachev to end the deadlock and tear down the curtain. With the reunification of Germany, a new Europe was born, almost peacefully. The disintegration of Yugoslavia and the murderous civil war were proof that old demons die hard.Germany, solidly anchored in Europe, in partnership with France, became the motor of European political and economic unification. But the 21st century brought new challenges and crises. Following 9/11, wars in the middle east led to immense suffering and a crisis of refuges, a challenge that Europe failed to rise to and meet. The second big challenge was the Banking crisis, created in the US, but that badly shook the European economy. And finally, Great Britain chose Brexit and left the European Union.The European project is still in progress. Global Age is a key book to understand the recent history of Europe and the challenges faced by the European Union. Ian Kershaw was educated in Britain but lived and researched in Germany, at the center of the European project. One could perhaps regret that the author may have glossed over the aleas of French or Italian politics. But he has succeeded in emphasizing that the progress in the economy and welfare of people led to momentous changes in culture and lifestyle. In most countries, women did not vote before 1945 (and for some even later). In some countries where divorce was not recognized, it became legal. Capital punishment was eliminated in all European countries. Abortion was legalized. These momentous and long overdue changes were facilitated by the European project. Kershaw does not hide that enormous challenges lie ahead and that much remains to be done. Europe has not reached the end of the road.

Maestro es el mejor título que se me ocurre para el señor Kershaw pues su prosa es directa, clara, concisa y a la vez trepidante, como de una novela se tratase. La exposición de los hechos y la valoración de estos se complementan magistralmente de tal modo que el lector queda plenamente inmerso en el tiempo y en el espacio en el que se desarrollan los hechos.Y para un lector de habla hispana la prosa no rebuscada e innecesaria hace que el libro sea muy entendible y de pleno disfrute. Tremendamente recomendable.

Ein weiters Meisterwerk von Ian Kershaw

Wonderful presentation of the European world in the past 100 years. After the first volume of "To Hell and Back"the second installation of the past one hundred years is a continuation of men's failure to build a better world. To have survived two world wars was a "near run thing." But to undergo the destruction of Yugoslavia and the recurrence of holocaust in Serbia was terrible. Rwanda, et al reveal the "horror" of it all. We must unite and make a better world by our deeds and not by facile words.T. Tanaka

Had a hard time deciding 4 or 5 stars , definitely 5 stars for being able to categorize a dysfunctional continent but 4 stars for to much personal leanings and opinion .I thought it humorous that he mentioned that the United States came to Europe rescue again in the1990,s .Sure that will never happen in the not to distant future ,since the majority of the population will be from countries that look on the Europeans and their descendants as exploiters, conquerors and en-slavers .A good read , I suggest one start with the Pursuit of Power then to Hell and Back followed bythis book to get a good picture of why Europe is like it is.Comparing it to Hell and Back had to give this one 4 stars.