Our Europe books section homes in on specific aspects of a country's history, culture, politics or literature. We also have a section on recommended books about the European Union.
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1
Last of the Atlases
Fabien Vehlmann, Gwen de Bonneval, Edward Gauvin (translator) -
2
The Labyrinth
by Guido Buzzelli & Jamie Richards (translator) -
3
Irmina
by Barbara Yelin & Michael Waaler (translator) -
4
Dirty Thirty: Thirty Years of Making a Scene
by Stripburger -
5
The ABC of Typography
David Rault, Edward Gauvin (translator)
The Best European Graphic Novels, recommended by Edward Gauvin
The Best European Graphic Novels, recommended by Edward Gauvin
The European graphic novel scene has unparalleled range. From indie science fiction to historical fiction, from France to Slovenia, there’s a sheer diversity of styles, palettes, and stories on display. Fulbright-winning and Eisner-nominated translator Edward Gauvin recommends five European graphic novels that show off the continent’s best writers, artists, and writer-artists.
Five of the Best European Classics, recommended by David Campbell
Europe may be made up of many cultures but its component parts share an artistic and literary sensibility, says Everyman’s Library publisher David Campbell. Here, he recommends five European classics that everyone should read at least once in their life, including “the greatest novel ever written” and some lesser-known masterpieces.
The best books on Europe’s Vanished States, recommended by Norman Davies
The rise of China means the study of its history is suddenly in vogue. But, says historian Norman Davies, there’s as much to learn, if not more, from looking at states that have disappeared
The best books on The European Union, recommended by Giles Merritt
The EU started life as a small trading bloc but now spans 28 (soon to be 27) countries with half a billion people. What can be done to help its institutions catch up with the new reality? Giles Merritt, author of Slippery Slope: Brexit and Europe’s Troubled Future, has some ideas.
The best books on The Euro, recommended by Barry Eichengreen
With hindsight, was the euro a good idea? Will it come through the present crisis intact or will any country decide to leave? And what happens if they do? Economist Barry Eichengreen recommends the best books on the euro.
The best books on The European Civil War, 1914-1945, recommended by Andreas Wesemann
Andreas Wesemann says WWI reparations did not fuel the rise of Nazism – Germany hardly paid any. He tells the true story of the rise of fascism
The best books on Ukraine, recommended by Marci Shore
The tumultuous history of Ukraine and its continuing upheavals are not well understood beyond its borders. Yale historian Marci Shore recommends the best books on the land of many identities and languages that is modern Ukraine.
The best books on Bosnia, recommended by Velma Šarić
As a teenager, Velma Šarić’s hometown of Kladanj welcomed refugees from eastern Bosnia as it was bombed and shelled, her primary school eventually becoming a shelter for people fleeing the massacre at Srebenica. Now she runs Sarajevo’s Post-Conflict Research Centre, trying to prevent anything like it from ever happening again. She recommends books to read on the Bosnian War and explains that it was not a war between different communities, but rather an assault on the country’s multiethnic, multicultural identity.
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1
King and Emperor: A New Life of Charlemagne
by Janet Nelson -
2
Charlemagne: Empire and Society
by Joanna Story (editor) -
3
Ich und Karl der Große: Das Leben des Höflings Einhard
by Steffen Patzold -
4
Charlemagne's Practice of Empire
by Jennifer Davis -
5
Conquest and Christianization: Saxony and the Carolingian World, 772–888
by Ingrid Rembold -
6
Saxon Identities, AD 150-900
by Robert Flierman
The best books on Charlemagne, recommended by Carine van Rhijn
The best books on Charlemagne, recommended by Carine van Rhijn
We call him Charlemagne, but it was not a name that was used in his own lifetime. His conquests stretched across vast swathes of Europe, but he probably didn’t set out to become an emperor. Much has been written about him, but very little is known. Dutch historian Carine van Rhijn, a lecturer at the University of Utrecht, recommends the best books on Charles, King of the Franks.
The best books on World War II, recommended by Antony Beevor
The popular military historian Antony Beevor recommends some of his own favourite books about the Second World War. Read more history book recommendations on Five Books