>>>Read this, then get back to me. http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/0375760520/
>>
>>That looks like an interesting book - I'll add it to my list. But I stand by my original statements. Yes, Hitler played up to the shame of the conditions of the Versailles Treaty, but there were a lot more reasons for his success than that. I've read several books on his rise to power, and the economy played a huge role in it.
>
>I've love to find a book on the complete history of Germany. From before the time of the Romans to modern times. I don't understand why they weren't swimming in the same direction as the rest of Western Europe. They clashed with much of Europe twice in the 20th century. Even since the time of Charlemagne, they've been obsessed with a greater Germany.
>
>I've recent seen the move Downfall http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0363163/
>Though it is a bit of a slow movie, interesting insight into him and his people in the last 10 days of the assault on Berlin.

Evan;

I have read many books about the history of Germany. It is a very interesting topic but then I am a history nut!

Some more recent highlights about Germany:

1. 1848 is an interesting place to start, as revolution was popular in Europe.

2. Bismarck was visiting a cousin in England and announced his plan to create Germany, which was to be headed by Prussia. The remainder of what was to become Germany consisted of small states controlled by Denmark, Austria, and France.

3. Bismarck played one side against the other, first by enlisting the aid of Austria to help fight Denmark, and take over the States controlled by the Danes.

4. Prussia and Austria go to war - Austro-Prussian War (1866)

5. France and Prussia go to war - Franco Prussian War (1870)

6. The treaty with Austria was lenient.

7. The treaty with France was most severe.

8. Around 1900 books were being written by Field Marshall’s and Generals of the German and French armies. These books described how the war to end all wars was to be fought between Germany and France. France was not going to stand by and be humiliated by loosing a war to Germany!

9. World War I was fought by the book (those described above) and when the war was over, about 58 million people had died. The front lines had changed about 100 yards from the beginning of the war in 1914 until the end in 1918.

10. The treaties with Germany were very severe and led to World War II. Germany would not allow itself to be humiliated by loosing a war to France!

That is the abbreviated version! :)

Tom