The Shortest History of Germany

An excellent little book. Hawes knows what he's on about and his conclusions are measured, but he favors clear, concise prose over dense academese. He has a sense of humor and a sharp eye for similarities between then and now. The Shortest History of Germany, a new must-read book by the writer James Hawes, recounts how the so-called limes separating Roman Germany from non-Roman Germany has remained a formative distinction throughout the post-ancient history of the German people. Sweeping and confident, it has a frightening urgency. Engaging, I suspect I shall remember it for a lifetime.