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To Hell and Back

Europe, 1914-1949

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To Hell and Back

By: Ian Kershaw
Narrated by: Leighton Pugh
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About this listen

In the summer of 1914, most of Europe plunged into a war so catastrophic that it unhinged the continent's politics and beliefs in a way that took generations to recover from.

The disaster terrified its survivors, shocked that a civilization that had blandly assumed itself to be a model for the rest of the world had collapsed into a chaotic savagery beyond any comparison.

In 1939, Europeans would initiate a second conflict that managed to be even worse - a war in which the killing of civilians was central and which culminated in the Holocaust.

To Hell and Back tells this story with humanity, flair and originality. Kershaw gives a compelling narrative of events, but he also wrestles with the most difficult issues that the events raise - with what it meant for the Europeans who initiated and lived through such fearful times - and what this means for us.

©2015 Ian Kershaw (P)2015 Audible, Ltd 20th Century Europe Military Modern War Interwar Period Russia Socialism Imperialism Soviet Union Holocaust Refugee Middle Ages Winston Churchill Royalty Latin American Self-Determination Africa Capitalism

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All stars
Most relevant  
A superbly crafted overview of the European journey. As you might gauge a maps usefulness by its accuracy of your locality I found Kershaws balanced view of Ireland in the story a good indicator of his overall ability to be fair and reasonable.
A possible criticism would be the length of time describing the World War itself . Initially i thought the book would use this seminal event as a foundation to explain where it's consequences took Europe but it became merely descriptive for a long while .
A small criticism in an otherwise excellent book.

superb

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A very good and impressive book. Lacks detail and depth here and there. But good. Enjoyed it.

Very good

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The book is fantastic, the narrator is great, but he’s emulation of Central- Eastern European accents could be more nuanced, as it stands they all sound Russian.

Superb book!

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I really liked the narrator’s style, a pleasure to listen. Ian Kershaw is a master historian who covers huge areas in a concise and understandable way. Great writing.

Well narrated and well written history.

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Why would the narrator use foreign accents when quoting non-English speaking persons? It ruined the book a bit for me, it felt very outdated and in poor taste.

Good but bad taste in narration

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whistlestop tour of the defining years of the 20th Century told in an authoritative and interesting tone that never grates, bores or exaggerates. You'll see keys to Europe's future by examining its past

Kershaw one of the great historians of the 20th C

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excellent overview of a very eventful period of history. political themes and motivations are well addressed.

highly recommended

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We tend to feel we know quite a lot about the twentieth century, but, to my mind, the great achievement of this outstanding book is that it brilliantly synthesises so much disparate information and so many scattered ideas about a century dominated by two monstrous global conflicts. A book I can imagine returning to in the future.

Remarkable Storytelling

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With this book Kershaw has once again laid claim to being one of the most readable historians of our generation .
From cultural factors such as modern art, through economics to politics itself this book delivers a rounded and comprehensive narrative of the European story between 1914 - 1945.

comprehensive and gripping.

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Mr Kershaw’s scholarship, skill at synthesising social, political and economic history, and a lucid and measured prose style combine to make a work of enormous scope and depth. Wisely he assumes that his readers possess a working knowledge of WWI and WWII, and his placing them in their longer term historical context adds new dimensions of understanding. Those who found Mr Kershaw’s monumental biography of Hitler a remarkable achievement will not be disappointed by To Hell and Back (despite its rather naff title). Thank you Mr Kershaw.

Ideal for the intelligent non specialist

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