First published 2021
Christopher Clark, the historian behind The Sleepwalkers, gathers his most significant essays into a single collection that examines how we understand the past. The book opens with his approach to historical thinking, questioning both the benefits and dangers of studying history as a field. Clark writes about German figures like Kaiser Wilhelm and Bismarck, then turns to the troubling case of General von Blaskowitz, a Prussian officer who accepted the Nazi regime's atrocities. He explores the attempts to convert Prussian Jews to Christianity and offers perspectives on topics ranging from Brexit to the importance of military battles. The centerpiece essay, "The Dream of Nebuchadnezzar," examines political power across different eras. Clark demonstrates how historical analysis can illuminate both past events and contemporary issues, providing readers with tools to think more clearly about the forces that shape human societies.
Genres: history, 20th-century, 21st-century, academic
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: contemporary-issues, historical-analysis
Setting: Germany, Prussia
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
272 pages · Hardcover · Allen Lane