by Mark Mazower
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Product Description
"A useful, important book that reminds us, at the right time, how hard [European unity] has been, and how much care must be taken to avoid the terrible old temptations." --Los Angeles Times
Dark Continent provides an alternative history of the twentieth century, one in which the triumph of democracy was anything but a forgone conclusion and fascism and communism provided rival political solutions that battled and sometimes triumphed in an effort to determine the course the continent would take.
Mark Mazower strips away myths that have comforted us since World War II, revealing Europe as an entity constantly engaged in a bloody project of self-invention. Here is a history not of inevitable victories and forward marches, but of narrow squeaks and unexpected twists, where townships boast a bronze of Mussolini on horseback one moment, only to melt it down and recast it as a pair of noble partisans the next. Unflinching, intelligent, Dark Continent provides a provocative vision of Europ's past, present, and future-and confirms Mark Mazower as a historian of valuable gifts.
Amazon.com Review
As the European Union introduces a common currency to world financial markets, Mark Mazower's Dark Continent critically examines the notion of "Europe." The Euro notwithstanding, Mazower argues that the "'Europe' of the European Union may be a promise or a delusion, but it is not a reality." Renouncing the notion of an essential "Europe," Mazower instead explores the conflicts which dominated the continent in the 20th century and the social value systems which informed them. Mazower orders his examination chronologically, commencing with the collapse of Europe's continental empires following World War I and the initial European experiments in democracy and national self-determination which followed. He continues with analyses of state interventions in family health and the importance of healthy progeny, the financial crisis of the 1920s, the Hitler regime, the transformed democracy that emerged following World War II, the gradual erosion of the social state in the 1980s, and, finally, the collapse of communism. He consistently displays a firm grip of European history, directing his argument to readers with a foundational knowledge of the events that shaped 20th century Europe rather than historical novices unfamiliar with the period. Provocatively insightful, Dark Continent makes a convincing argument for a European 21st century characterized by continuity and harmony through divergence. "If Europeans can give up their desperate desire to find a single, workable definition of themselves," Mazower concludes, "they may come to terms more easily with the diversity and dissension which will be as much their future as their past." --Bertina Loeffler
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Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 Just great history, 2008-09-23
I think this is one of the must reads for anyone who wishes to be properly informed on 20th Century European political/intellectual history. It outlines that the 20th century was a battle between democracy, fascism, and communism, and democracy won. A bit reductionist but a well-written, enjoyable history that stays with you (I've read it twice now). .
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Read it at least twice, 2008-04-24
I agree with an earlier reviewer that this is the best history of 20th Century Europe ever. Keen insights and fresh ideas leap off every page.
But it needs to be repeated: the Dark Continent is not an introduction to the subject. Unless you have a good knowledge of Europe and its history, this is not yet the book for you. Someday maybe, but for now save your money.
Some found Mazower's style dry and difficult. I started reading it in a coffee bar and got half-way through before I realized the time. That doesn't happen very often. To me, the writing is clear and fast-moving, and the threads are easy to follow.
Imperialism, colonialism, class, nation, prejudice, fascism, communism, democracy, apathy, capitalism, genocide, left, right, in-between, all are described in a calm, intelligent manner, which is perhaps why some see Mazower as being soft on Stalin or Hitler. You won't find hysteria or hyperbole, but then the facts speak for themselves without the need for comments by the author. Think about it: 60-million people were killed in "civilized" Europe in the first half of the 20th Century. With a story like that, a historian doesn't need to raise his voice to get the readers attention.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Well researched but could use a better editor, 2006-02-20
Having read two other books by Mazower (Balkans and Salonika) I have gotten used to his style (or lack thereof) which can be described as plodding at best.
The problem is that he has a great feel for his subject, he just has this habit of making it seem dry or boring in between the worthwhile and amazing anecdotes that he finds in his studies.
Once you understand what you will be reading through, you will be happy that you took the time.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
A realistic look at the roots of modern Europe, 2005-07-09
For the student and the non student alike, DARK CONTINENT reveals a side of European history that many people overlook. The basic premise is that after the rise of democracy after the first World War, Europe accepted totalitarian governments as a solution to economic and social problems. The author shows the roots of anti semintism in Germany and how Hitler came to power with the consent of the governed. One of his major points of emphasis is the failure of the liberals to achieve success. There are many excellent points in this book that shed light on contemporary Europe.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
As far as synthesis can go..., 2005-06-07
One of the hardest assigments of historical sciences (whether they are political, philosophical, or any other is beside the point) is assesment of twentieth century. Why is it so is more than obvious...Those books talk to readers who lived (or took part)at least in one part of the "history" they are trying to judge. And every reader out there has its own oppinion about it. Maybe the future is going to value those kind of exclamations smoewhat more, but that is for the future to judge.
How can one explain both World Wars (espacially the secnod one), economic crises, rise and fall of communism and it satelite states in four hundred pages so that everyone should be satisfied, or even to put some rational argument behind it. Lots of Mazowers argumentation is based on the well known "This happened becouse of that" not allowing the slightest chance of interpreting history of twentieth century in some other way.
There is certain kind of ecxellence in this book. Rise and fall of nation-states, capitalism, Americanisation, colonial policy, various skirmishes together with both world wars, all of them are putted together in well writen overwiev that is read easy and that is thought provoking in just right ammount... This is not a history book that speaks of leaders, battles, number of casualties, elections won and elections lostm this is a very good synthesis of European history, and good place for a starting point in more thorough examination of it.
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