In post-war Britain there was a small but highly influential group of historians who excelled as academic teachers and who made significant contributions to British and international learning. These people share one thing in common - they all fled Hitler's evil regime in the 1930s. In these autobiographical essays, historians reflect on their lives, their teaching and research, and their crucial role as brokers between Britain, Germany and Austria.

During six months in 1945, the victorious Allies formulated a wide range of policies toward the defeated Germany. This pivotal period - between Yalta and Potsdam - was to herald the re-integration of Germany into postwar Europe, and eventually into the international system of democratic states. It was "the struggle for the soul of Germany". This collection of contributions exposes the intense differences between the Allies regarding Germany's future. The contributors are politicians, journalists and academics, and include eye-witnesses from both the Allies and the German side. There are personal experiences, letters from the front, personal war diaries and material from previously unpublished sources in Britain and Germany. The British papers include an unknown War Cabinet memo showing in graphic terms the British and Allied views of Germany in the face of total defeat.

Even a brief glance at the maps of what has, or might have, been called Germany through the ages reveals a kaleidoscope of alterations in shape and composition. Though there are elements of continuity, the history of Germany has been the history of nearly constant change. In this concise introduction to Germany's fascinating past, Peter Wende provides an approachable historical interpretation of the key periods and turning points from Roman times to the present. Wende shows that, throughout the course of 2000 years, German history is actually the history of many Germanies, and that it can be written neither just as the history of a region nor of a political, ethnic or cultural formation. Focussing on key points in Germany's political, social and economic development, this guide is ideal for all those with an interest in the complex and compelling history of one of Europe's main nation-states.

During six months in 1945, the victorious Allies formulated a wide range of policies toward the defeated Germany. This pivotal period - between Yalta and Potsdam - was to herald the re-integration of Germany into postwar Europe, and eventually into the international system of democratic states. It was "the struggle for the soul of Germany". This collection of contributions exposes the intense differences between the Allies regarding Germany's future. The contributors are politicians, journalists and academics, and include eye-witnesses from both the Allies and the German side. There are personal experiences, letters from the front, personal war diaries and material from previously unpublished sources in Britain and Germany. The British papers include an unknown War Cabinet memo showing in graphic terms the British and Allied views of Germany in the face of total defeat.