Includes bibliographical references.

The formation of modern Germany -- Religious conflict and territorial triumph -- The eighteenth century, Hapsburg versus Hohenzollern -- France triumphant -- Metternich's Germany -- The revolutionary year -- The chastened fifties -- The decade of the "foundation" -- Bismarck's Germany. I, political -- Bismarck's Germany. II, Economic and social -- Bismarck's Germany. III, intellectual -- Bismarck's Germany. IV, foreign affairs -- Germany jumps a generation -- Wilhelmian Germany. I, Domestic -- Wilhelmian Germany. II, foreign affairs -- World war I -- Defeat in 1918 -- Revolution in 1918 -- Birth pangs of a republic -- The national constituent assembly at Weimar -- The treaty of Versailles -- Growing pains of a republic -- The origins of national socialism -- Fools' paradies of a republic -- The cultural afterglow of the twenties -- Death agony of a republic -- The Nazi revolution -- The Nazi state to 1938. I, political and military -- The Nazi state to 1938. II, economic and social -- The Nazi state to 1938. III, religious and cultural -- The Nazi state to 1938. IV, foreign affairs -- Prelude to war -- World war II. The victorious phase -- World war II. the defeat looms -- Defeat in 1945 -- Occupied Germany -- The two Germanies -- The Germanies in the 1960s.

Explores the paradoxes and complexities of German history. Stresses the 20th century.