A Short History of Europe

Reviews

A short, invigorating gallop over two and a half thousand years Simon Jenkins achieves a high ambition: a concise readable history of two millennia of European civilisation from its discernible origins to our present perplexities. In 305 pages! . . . An immensely rewarding book from a gifted writer Full of stand-out facts ... absolutely fascinating Masterly, perhaps a masterpiece Jenkins is, like all good guides, more than simply informative: he can be courteous and rude, nostalgic and funny, elegant, convincing and relaxed Full of the good judgements one might hope for from such a sensible and readable commentator, and they alone are worth perusing for pleasure and food for thought Any passably cultured inhabitant of the British Isles should ask for, say, three or four copies of this book Jenkins has produced the sort of work that not only compacts people and places into manageable form but also has wit and insight enough to bring a sense of freshness even to a knowledgeable history buff Expand reviews