READ IN AN AFTERNOON. REMEMBER FOR A LIFETIME. In this short, entertaining & thought-provoking book, acclaimed historian John Hirst provides a fascinating exploration of the qualities that have made Europe a world-changing civilisation. Starting with a rapid historical overview from the ancient Greeks to the present day (the `shortest history` itself), Hirst goes on to explore in detail what makes Europe unique: its political evolution; the shaping influence of its linguistic boundaries; the crucial role played by power struggles between Pope & Emperor; & of course the great invasions & conquests that have transformed the continent. Written with clarity, feeling & wit, The Shortest History of Europe is a tour-de-force: read in a single afternoon, it will be remembered for a lifetime.NB This is a updated & expanded edition, with new sections covering the industrial revolution, the world wars & the postwar period.