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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.   

Reviews:

• • A great achievement … There could hardly be a more judicious guide to this bloody terrain … a stark lesson in man’s capacity for evil — Dominic Sandbrook ― The Sunday Times 

• A triumph … one of a tiny handful of historians whose books will still be read in 100 years — Laurence Rees ― The Mail on Sunday

• Chilling epic-size history … should be required reading — Harold Evans ― The New York Times

• The story of how the Old World plunged toward hell for 30 years … There is no man better qualified than Kershaw to take us through the dark valleys of the world wars and the two sombre intervening decades … fair-minded, deeply researched and highly readable — Brendan Simms ― Wall Street Journal

• We are in the hands of a master historian — Nigel Jones ― Spectator

• Few authors would have the ability, and perhaps the determination, to take on the history of both world wars and the connecting decades at this level of sophistication, depth and breadth — Robert Tombs ― The Times

• Authoritative — Nicholas Shakespeare ― Telegraph

• Kershaw leads his readers through this complex history in a clear and compelling manner — Joanna Bourke ― Prospect

• 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.

• 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. This title presents the narrative of events. It also deals with the most difficult issues that the events raise – with what it meant for the Europeans who initiated and more.
• To someone wishing to have an introduction to twentieth century European history, 550 pages may seem off-putting. However, my advice would be to persevere. Although the subject matter is hard, Ian Kershaw`s language is extremely accessible and he draws you into what is, essentially, the ultimate thriller. In these 550 pages you basically have everything you need to know about the first half of Europe`s twentieth century i.e. both world wars, the lead up to both world wars, and the turbulent years in between. If you want to know how Mussolini came to power, it is here. If you want to know how Hitler came to power, it is here. If, like me, you are interested in what was happening in countries like Slovakia and Hungary in 1918 – 1920, again, it is here. I had expected this book to be mainly a political and military history, but social and cultural history is also covered, and very well. For example, the great novels of the period are discussed e.g. Ernst Juenger`s Storm of Steel, Aldous Huxley`s Brave New World and George Orwell`s The Road to Wigan Pier amongst others. Indeed, George Orwell allows the author to show his sense of humour, when Ian Kershaw gently chastises George Orwell for not attending the Wigan 10 – 17 Liverpool Stanley Rugby League game in February 1936 while he was preparing to write The Road to Wigan Pier. Yes, amazingly, Ian Kershaw does manage to get some lighter moments into this seminal history. If you are an A level student of European history or a European languages student or a European area studies student, you have to read this book.

Ian Kershaw is the author of Hitler 1889-1936: Hubris and Hitler 1936-1945: Nemesis, which received the Wolfson Literary Award for History and the Bruno Kreisky Prize in Austria for the Political Book of the Year, and was joint winner of the inaugural British Academy Book Prize. His other books include Making Friends with Hitler, which won the Elizabeth Longford Prize for Historical Biography; Fateful Choices; The End; and his histories of modern Europe, To Hell and Back and Roller-Coa