A Diplomatic History of Europe Since the Congress of Vienna

By Rene Albrecht-; Carrie

Book Overview

Originally published in 1958 this classic text is a comprehensive account of European relations from 1815 to the middle of the 20th Century, written in the light of World War II and the troubled period that followed it. An acclaimed historian, the author writes with the verve of a good political commentator. 70% of the book is devoted to the twentieth century and the focus of the book is on diplomatic history, while an introduction to each section provides the larger background of factors and forces in which diplomacy operates. Readable and accurate, with an emphasis on analysis and explanation, the book remains an excellent resource for students of history and international relations.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1032986832
• ISBN13: 9781032986838
• Release Date: February 2025
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 750 Pages

Customer Reviews

Magisterial history of power relationships

Although published over 35 years ago, this is a wonderful book. The title is somewhat misleading in that this is a global survey rather than one merely of Europe. It is also a general history of power relationships in the modern world, in their diplomatic, political, and military aspects, rather than a narrow history of diplomacy. At its core, this book tells a tragic saga, the self-immolation of Europe in two devastating world wars and the decline of European power from world dominance to near irrelevance. It also covers the rise of the USA and Russia to the status of twin super powers and, at its end, foresees the emergence of China as a mighty third pole. The bulk of the book covers the period from the Franco-Prussian war to the end of WWII and treats it, as it should, as a single arc of history. The author's command of the material is magisterial, and his tone of ironic detachment lends itself well to this convoluted story of human folly and brutality. This is a long book (695 pages) but goes quickly for anyone interested in the subject. The only other work I can think of to compare it with (in that both are popular yet supremely authoritative) is Tony Judt's marvelous "Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945." In many ways, René Albrecht-Carrié's work provides an excellent background to understanding the postwar period and is a wonderful corrective for anyone foolish enough to believe that we live in a `post-historical' time.