A History of Modern Germany: 1871 to Present

Now in its ninth edition, A History of Modern Germany provides the most up-to-date and comprehensive survey of this complex country’s history, beginning in 1871 and ending in the present day.

Orlow tells the story of Germany’s troubled past--Prusso-German authoritarianism, the Nazi dictatorship, and the Holocaust--whilst also uncovering the long-standing traditions of political, cultural, and economic pluralism that have existed alongside. Over the years, historians have debated the cause of Germany’s volatile and unpredictable trajectory; this textbook offers readers insight into this lively historiography. While taking Germany as its focus, this book also covers its interaction with the rest of the world, including the two world wars and Germany’s brief colonial experience. This ninth edition is the only textbook that brings the story to the present day; its new chapter on the years 2017-2024 delves into Germany’s role in the global balance of power.

With Im Mittelpunkt (’In the Spotlight’) features on key figures and an expanded list of ’Suggestions for Further Reading’, this new edition remains the perfect grounding for all students of German history.

Dietrich Orlow is Professor (emeritus) of History at Boston University. His primary research and teaching interests are the history of modern Germany and the comparative political history of Western Europe since 1945. He is the author of numerous books and articles, including a two-volume history of the Nazi Party. His latest scholarly book is The PHS under Ulbricht and Honecker: The perseverance of a Stalinist Institution (2020).