How is it that the small continent of Europe has exerted so profound an influence on the rest of the world? J. M. Robertss sweeping history traces the development of European identity over the course of thousands of years.
J. M. Roberts, author of a fine one-volume history of the world, offers a careful synthesis of European history from the Stone Age to the collapse of Communism in A History of Europe. His discussion is never very deep, as might be expected in a book that treats the whole of ancient Greek history in a mere 20 pages, but it is astonishingly broad. Roberts hits on almost all of the important points, especially the formation of trade networks, empires, and central governments. Literate and learned, A History of Europe is marred by a lack of notes and bibliography, but it is still serviceable as a survey text.

Customer Reviews:

Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0

A Friendly Giant:

While this whopper of a text admittedly took two years for me to read(off and on), I found it to be splendid, informative, cogent, and lively. Unafraid to take the time to spend a page and a half here and there on relevant non-European issues, it is a global account of the region that most shaped world history, for better or worse. The book is never didactic, taking positions on a variety of controversial issues without fervor, examining all sides of each particular debate. It is quite amazing how Roberts... more info

Great Author who tackels Big Subjects:

First off, J.M. Roberts wrote the large one volume History of the World. This book also has been published by Penguin as The Penguin History of Europe. History history of the world also had a Penguin edition to it.
It is good that Roberts has multipule publishers for both of these works, as they are works that should remain in print for a very long time. I always hate it when I find good stuff that is out of print.
Now, about "A History of Europe". Good work. It focuses more on history after 1800... more info

A distinguished historian's insightful view of Europe:

Once again, J.M. Roberts tackles a large historical subject; first, he wrote an excellent history of the world, and now, he has written a history of Europe that is as good, if not better.
Roberts exhibits a remarkable gift for conciseness and generously shares what seems to be vast insight on the history of Europe. Other histories would be very detailed but Roberts is able to capture the same subtleties with fewer (brilliantly chosen) words and ideas. He quotes some rather obscure but fascinating sources;... more info

Exceptional coverage of European History:

Roberts is clearly a brilliant historian. He works in much the same manner as a master painter. His History of Europe opens with a near empty canvas; he gives us a strong sense of Europe before the first human foot fell upon it. This opening conveys more than simple geographical and geological facts; it conveys a sense of how the terrain and climate would ultimately sustain life. Through this device, the reader can derive a feeling of premonition, a sense of history yet to come.
What follows is... more info

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