Modern Germany

For nearly a century, historians have depicted Germany as a rabidly nationalist land, born in a sea of aggression. Not so, says Helmut Walser Smith, who, in this groundbreaking 500-year history, challenges traditional perceptions of Germany's conflicted past, revealing a nation far more thematically complicated than 20th-century historians have imagined. 

Germany is one of the richest and most influential countries in the world, which is amazing when you consider that the nation is only about the size of the US states of Oregon and Washington combined. It’s even more astounding when you consider that at the end of World War II, every major German city (and many minor ones) had been flattened by the Allied bombing campaign. Still more amazing is that the country has gone from international pariah and home of the Holocaust to one of the most well-regarded and humanitarian nations on Earth.

An unprecedented examination of the ways in which the uninhibited urban sexuality, sexual experimentation, and medical advances of pre-Weimar Berlin created and molded our modern understanding of sexual orientation and gay identity. Known already in the 1850s for the friendly company of its...

Experience an epic European history where fractured medieval realms clash to forge a modern political superpower. Perfect for an educational morning commute, this sweeping narrative transforms complex centuries of war, religion, and revolution into a gripping audio journey. Whether you are...

Explore gripping European political history as fractured medieval states violently forge a modern democratic powerhouse. Trace ten monumental turning points that redefined borders, sparked cultural nationalism, and tested the limits of human resilience. This narrative captures the dramatic rise...

Uncover the tragic rise of the Third Reich in this gripping World War II history focused on human survival and morality. Perfect for your daily commute, this deeply reflective narrative traces how a defeated democracy transformed into a brutal dictatorship. Navigate the harrowing economic crises...

Experience 800 years of dramatic European history as a resilient metropolis survives world war and Cold War division. Perfect for your daily commute or a deep-dive learning journey, this evocative narrative captures a society constantly rebuilding itself from the rubble. Listeners will be...