The Shortest History of Europe: How Conquest, Culture, and Religion Forged a Continent—A Retelling for Our Times

"Written in easily approachable style and resonating like the lectures of a beloved and provocative undergraduate history professor, this summary of European history holds broad appeal. . . . Simple, clever graphics clarify Hirst’s theses and make them memorable."

"Crisp, lucid, and evocative."

"A wise, illuminating little book."

"An entertaining, learned piece of historical compression."

"Beautifully and sparely constructed, yet rich in fact, feeling and detail, sweeping, challenging and funny." James Button, journalist and editor

"Great stuff, the book as a whole is constantly thought-provoking."

"Underwrite an overview of a complicated topic with one of these new short-and-sweet distillations . . . with maps, charts, sidebars, and illustrations to bring it alive."