Vol 1

An engaging sweep of central European history from a Germano-Centric perspective. Reinhardt's history of Germany, while definitely coming across as somewhat of a tribute to his heritage, does not glorify the inglorious nor present the Germanic peoples independently of all the developmetns of European history. While organized chronologically according to the political and religious organization of Europe, it is heavy in its treatment of the artistic, philosophical and cultural currents. I was particularly engrossed by the following: the Hapsburg dynasty, the rise of the medieval university, the intense spiritual output of the reformation and it's brutal consequences as well as the career of Frederick the Great. It was 428 pages of intense, dense and engrossing reading. I will turn to some other topics for awhile before reading Vol II which begins with the second empire and ends with the demise of the Weimer Republic.