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The Penguin History of Europe
Comprehensive in its scope and brilliantly readable, this is a superb follow-up to the author's bestselling Penguin History of the World. Beginning with prehistory and the early civilizations of the Aegean, The Penguin History of Europe traces the development of European identity in its many guises, through the age of Christendom, the Middle Ages, early Modern history and the old European order.
722 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 1998
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About the author
J.M. Roberts
123 books76 followersJohn Morris Roberts, CBE, was a British historian, with significant published works. From 1979-1985 he was Vice Chancellor of the University of Southampton, and from 1985-1994, Warden of Merton College, Oxford. He was also well known as the author and presenter of the BBC TV series The Triumph of the West (1985).
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
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November 8, 2025This book spent 700+ pages failing to alter my understanding of the impact of Penguins on the history of Europe.
December 20, 2012
I strongly prefer Norman Davies "Europe: A History," but this is a far shorter overview much more accessible to the general reader. It provides a decent "big picture" overview of European history from the Stone Age through the end of the Bosnian-Serb war in the mid-1990s. Don't go looking for much detail here, but you'll get a good idea of the broader context of each era - particularly how one epoch fades into the next. Includes some good analysis of what happens between big events (fall of Rome/medieval era, WWI-WWII-Cold War, etc.). I would recommend this to anybody thinking of traveling to Europe, or who is simply interested in getting a better idea of why Europe still matters as well as why Americans and Europeans are so fascinated with one another.
September 28, 2020
This is yet another book that tells the story of the European peoples from the very beginning when the first human began to inhabit there to the post-Cold war era. It tells in detail about their culture, land structure, agriculture, language, and above all, the people of the continent. After reading this book, one can be able to know how the Europeans went through religious changes, how they bade farewell to their orthodox religious dogmas and began their journey toward modernity in the sixteenth century. The last chapter of the book also talks about the twentieth century, the century of wars and bloodshed across the globe, the emergence of new countries in the European continent, and the new world order that shaped modern European countries.
January 21, 2010
This book does give a good, sweeping view of big historical trends that have contributed to the construction of modern Europe. However, as an archaeologist, I was disappointed in Roberts' handling of prehistory. In fact, there are a number of claims that he makes about native peoples that seem to come out of scholarship of the 1960s and earlier. Which brings me to another issue: where is the bibliography in this book? I was expecting a long, detailed list of sources, but there is nothing (at least, not in the edition of the book that I have). For a discipline as potentially biased as History (Roberts has very clear opinions about the European past-- this is not a book that simply relates "facts", and I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, just something to be aware of), I like to be able to see which sources were used so I can better evaluate the author's arguments. Where he quotes directly from other books (which is rarely, given the scope of this book), he includes a footnote with the citation, but I find it hard to believe that those were his only sources. Also, I could have used more, and better, maps.
This book was certainly worth reading, but I was, on the whole, disappointed. I was expecting something different, I guess, based on all of the positive reviews of this book I had read. I did come away with a better understanding of some of the large trends in European history, however, so in that sense, the book was a success.
This book was certainly worth reading, but I was, on the whole, disappointed. I was expecting something different, I guess, based on all of the positive reviews of this book I had read. I did come away with a better understanding of some of the large trends in European history, however, so in that sense, the book was a success.
June 7, 2008
John asked for it, John got it: Caveat Lector.
Much like Robert’s excellent History of the World (which I think is a bit better). From the jacket: “For his ability to grasp and communicate the full sweep of the past, Roberts … must rank as the leading historical mind of his generation.” “A monumental work of synthesis … outstanding factual accuracy and solid judgments.” “His gifts of compression and clear exposition are outstanding.”
The first third covers ancient civilization to 1500, the next third from 1500 – 1900, then the 20th c. Emphasis is on the latter part in the first two sections, and on modern history generally, though the treatment of late Roman times to 1500 helped me much better understand that period.
It also gave me a handle on many other fuzzy items – the position of Emperor, relationship between Emperor and Pope, the French Revolution and aftermath, 19th c. French history in general, the confusing German tapestry before unification, how unification came about, and similar for Italy. It also shed light I hadn’t had on the Balkans, Eastern Europe generally, Russia (especially post-Ivans), Byzantium, and the long, complicated decline of the Ottoman Empire.
Intense compression necessarily involves omission, and some things would benefit from more coverage. How Switzerland came about isn’t explained, unless it was so brief I missed it. Germany’s unification is brief but a good synopsis; that of Italy is too brief to be clear. But these are minor quibbles considering the book’s scope. His coverage of European imperialism, its entanglements and effects on other societies and the results, is excellent (and often depressing). Another quibble (or more) – the few maps aren’t great, and they’re often only tangentially related to the narrative (similar for the occasional timeline). Lists of place-names appear which are probably familiar to knowledgeable Europeans, but not to me. More and better maps, closely tied to the text, would be a big improvement. Roberts’ books are so good that Penguin owes them this.
His perspectives on American Independence and growth (tantalizingly brief) are useful antidotes to American mythology and narrow vision. Without ill will, he recognizes the American presidency as the (18th c.) British-like constitutional monarchy it essentially is; he’s sober about the relatively minor grievances used to justify revolution, and (as typically) that a radical elite inflamed opinion towards violence; that Americans would have lost without French and Spanish help (also crediting American generalship, when British blunders are a better explanation); and that the U.S. wouldn’t have expanded westward so quickly without British naval protection. He doesn’t dwell on it, but doesn’t romanticize the ruthless illegitimacy of this expansion, including gross abuse of American Indians and the naked land grab called the Mexican War (with the evils of slavery and the Spanish-American War in the longer list). But America's a sideshow here.
Roberts makes a good case that WWI was never inevitable, but the final lead-up is so compressed it’s a bit misleading. He suggests Russia told Serbia to comply with Austrian demands, Serbia largely did, but Austria’s quick invasion was intended regardless. Russia actually sent Serbia mixed signals, and invasion seems unlikely had Serbia completely complied. Had Russia been as clear as Roberts suggests, war might have been averted. But the world wars have been covered so thoroughly elsewhere that this isn’t a big problem.
Roberts’ focus is political, economic, social and cultural; he provides very little military history. His approach to WWII is similar to WWI, although Hitler’s rise is given very little space while the war itself gets more coverage. He provides another interesting perspective on the US, suggesting Truman’s 1947 decision to contain the USSR by providing aid to Greece and Turkey (reversing traditional American isolationism) “may well be thought the most important [decision] in American diplomacy since the Louisiana Purchase.”
A couple other of many interesting tidbits: both the US and USSR supported the creation of Israel (for Russia this was anti-British rather than pro-Israeli). Of course Russian support was short-lived, and in the 1973 Yom Kippur war it’s thought they provided Egypt with nuclear weapons, prompting American forces to go on worldwide alert, essentially ending the war. I always wondered how David beat Goliath again, when this time Goliath had a large quantity of good Soviet weapons. This explanation is more plausible than the Israeli myths.
What Roberts does best is draw out patterns from a mass of detail and make reasoned judgments about these patterns, and he does it very well. All in all, a rip-roaring ride through the fascinating and often hideous past.
Much like Robert’s excellent History of the World (which I think is a bit better). From the jacket: “For his ability to grasp and communicate the full sweep of the past, Roberts … must rank as the leading historical mind of his generation.” “A monumental work of synthesis … outstanding factual accuracy and solid judgments.” “His gifts of compression and clear exposition are outstanding.”
The first third covers ancient civilization to 1500, the next third from 1500 – 1900, then the 20th c. Emphasis is on the latter part in the first two sections, and on modern history generally, though the treatment of late Roman times to 1500 helped me much better understand that period.
It also gave me a handle on many other fuzzy items – the position of Emperor, relationship between Emperor and Pope, the French Revolution and aftermath, 19th c. French history in general, the confusing German tapestry before unification, how unification came about, and similar for Italy. It also shed light I hadn’t had on the Balkans, Eastern Europe generally, Russia (especially post-Ivans), Byzantium, and the long, complicated decline of the Ottoman Empire.
Intense compression necessarily involves omission, and some things would benefit from more coverage. How Switzerland came about isn’t explained, unless it was so brief I missed it. Germany’s unification is brief but a good synopsis; that of Italy is too brief to be clear. But these are minor quibbles considering the book’s scope. His coverage of European imperialism, its entanglements and effects on other societies and the results, is excellent (and often depressing). Another quibble (or more) – the few maps aren’t great, and they’re often only tangentially related to the narrative (similar for the occasional timeline). Lists of place-names appear which are probably familiar to knowledgeable Europeans, but not to me. More and better maps, closely tied to the text, would be a big improvement. Roberts’ books are so good that Penguin owes them this.
His perspectives on American Independence and growth (tantalizingly brief) are useful antidotes to American mythology and narrow vision. Without ill will, he recognizes the American presidency as the (18th c.) British-like constitutional monarchy it essentially is; he’s sober about the relatively minor grievances used to justify revolution, and (as typically) that a radical elite inflamed opinion towards violence; that Americans would have lost without French and Spanish help (also crediting American generalship, when British blunders are a better explanation); and that the U.S. wouldn’t have expanded westward so quickly without British naval protection. He doesn’t dwell on it, but doesn’t romanticize the ruthless illegitimacy of this expansion, including gross abuse of American Indians and the naked land grab called the Mexican War (with the evils of slavery and the Spanish-American War in the longer list). But America's a sideshow here.
Roberts makes a good case that WWI was never inevitable, but the final lead-up is so compressed it’s a bit misleading. He suggests Russia told Serbia to comply with Austrian demands, Serbia largely did, but Austria’s quick invasion was intended regardless. Russia actually sent Serbia mixed signals, and invasion seems unlikely had Serbia completely complied. Had Russia been as clear as Roberts suggests, war might have been averted. But the world wars have been covered so thoroughly elsewhere that this isn’t a big problem.
Roberts’ focus is political, economic, social and cultural; he provides very little military history. His approach to WWII is similar to WWI, although Hitler’s rise is given very little space while the war itself gets more coverage. He provides another interesting perspective on the US, suggesting Truman’s 1947 decision to contain the USSR by providing aid to Greece and Turkey (reversing traditional American isolationism) “may well be thought the most important [decision] in American diplomacy since the Louisiana Purchase.”
A couple other of many interesting tidbits: both the US and USSR supported the creation of Israel (for Russia this was anti-British rather than pro-Israeli). Of course Russian support was short-lived, and in the 1973 Yom Kippur war it’s thought they provided Egypt with nuclear weapons, prompting American forces to go on worldwide alert, essentially ending the war. I always wondered how David beat Goliath again, when this time Goliath had a large quantity of good Soviet weapons. This explanation is more plausible than the Israeli myths.
What Roberts does best is draw out patterns from a mass of detail and make reasoned judgments about these patterns, and he does it very well. All in all, a rip-roaring ride through the fascinating and often hideous past.
January 6, 2019
A very good read for anyone wanting an overview of European history. I think it has a slight English bias (which doesn't really deduct from the quality of the work) , and lacks a list of secondary sources (would love to read more specialised books).
September 17, 2010
Strong overview of historical forces, light on specific details/facts
March 7, 2018
A huge, wonderful book. Maybe the author concentrates a little too much on English history. It is doubtful that the Boers war deserves more attention than the French Revolution but it is hard to argue with a writer that gives us a book like this. One thing is for sure 670 pages are not nearly enough to tell the story but it feels good to have managed even this short history. 7/10
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November 29, 2016The reviewer is mindful that anchors are available to address the difficulties presenting on pp12-14.
:-o p71, p78, p196, p272, p273, p460, p469, p501, p536, p665
Chapter three could be (i.e. is) problematic: Roberts seems to be talking at his reader out of the page in (non-verbally) projected half-arguments whose effect appears to be masking the author's concerns. Some points of engineering and commercial grammar appear to have been appropriated, which may beg the question as to what the issues alluded to would be, and, separately, what are the points of history finding it difficult to make it into print? To what extent would such unresolved gaps provide an enabling space for third parties to organise and implement the indefensible? It may be advantageous to address these points before the end of 2016, as 2017 marks the centenary of the Balfour declaration, and the 500th anniversary of the Protestant reformation (the author's concerns on the latter are presented on p256, and with Rome on p257; and with the former on p520; the special English case is offered on pp261-2). What would be the most appropriate way(s) to handle and address the other matters which appear to be generally relevant? (-ty) Issues around materiality difficulties are outlined on p258. There appears to be a particular difficulty on p648 that needs to be addressed, and arrangements that are fit for the twenty-first century are required: the end of history thesis is addressed on pp663-4.
pp164-172 seem to offer some historical colo(u)r that could form a part of the backdrop of the discourses between civilisations.
#thethingoverthere - p183
On page 184, an interpretation of the emergence of romanticism is offered which may yield some significant improvement opportunities.
:-o p71, p78, p196, p272, p273, p460, p469, p501, p536, p665
Chapter three could be (i.e. is) problematic: Roberts seems to be talking at his reader out of the page in (non-verbally) projected half-arguments whose effect appears to be masking the author's concerns. Some points of engineering and commercial grammar appear to have been appropriated, which may beg the question as to what the issues alluded to would be, and, separately, what are the points of history finding it difficult to make it into print? To what extent would such unresolved gaps provide an enabling space for third parties to organise and implement the indefensible? It may be advantageous to address these points before the end of 2016, as 2017 marks the centenary of the Balfour declaration, and the 500th anniversary of the Protestant reformation (the author's concerns on the latter are presented on p256, and with Rome on p257; and with the former on p520; the special English case is offered on pp261-2). What would be the most appropriate way(s) to handle and address the other matters which appear to be generally relevant? (-ty) Issues around materiality difficulties are outlined on p258. There appears to be a particular difficulty on p648 that needs to be addressed, and arrangements that are fit for the twenty-first century are required: the end of history thesis is addressed on pp663-4.
pp164-172 seem to offer some historical colo(u)r that could form a part of the backdrop of the discourses between civilisations.
#thethingoverthere - p183
On page 184, an interpretation of the emergence of romanticism is offered which may yield some significant improvement opportunities.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2017
It took me three years to read this book. It is not the kind of history that draws the reader in to the story. Much of the writing seemed to assume a basic knowledge of what the author was explaining. Without that prior knowledge, I had to think really hard to understand what he was saying. I'm glad it has an index, because that's the only way I'll be able to recall details.
I majored in history in college but never got the big overview of European history. While traveling in Europe a few years ago, I realized my need to put together the bits and pieces that I knew into a coherent narrative. I selected this title from the description and reviews. I probably would have done better for my purposes to find a used high school textbook on European history.
I majored in history in college but never got the big overview of European history. While traveling in Europe a few years ago, I realized my need to put together the bits and pieces that I knew into a coherent narrative. I selected this title from the description and reviews. I probably would have done better for my purposes to find a used high school textbook on European history.
March 28, 2013
I wish it wasn't so concise, but it is very knowledgeable and well-written. The only thing that made me put it down was my need for sleep, food and pausing to look out the window at the cute squirrel in my garden.
Want to read
July 10, 2011Part II of my Ionian Islands theme reading. Double yay!!
January 19, 2014
Good overview of the expanse of European History. Personally found the sentence structures awkward and confusing at times.
May 23, 2016
A very solid overview
July 30, 2017
Great read
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews