Somewhat dated but nevertheless still valuable as a resource on Europe between the two world wars. It is a general survey of that period. A quick read through its pages provides an accurate overview of the political, military, and economic forces at work that dominated the years after the Great War. ( )

3836. A Broken World 1919-1939, by Raymond J. Sontag (read 21 Dec 2003) This 1971 book by a Berkeley history professor is a part of the series "The Rise of Modern Europe - A Survey of European History in its Political, Economic, and Cultural aspects from the End of the Middle Ages to the Present" overseen by William L. Langer. I have read three other volumes in the series (The Counter Reformation, 1559-1610, by Marvin R. O'Connell [read 25 May 1974], The Dawn of a new Era 1250-1453, by Edward P. Cheyney [read 24 Oct 1981], and From Despotism to Revolution 1763-1789, by Leo Gershoy [read 31 May 1997]). I found this volume thoroughly enjoyable, even though much related was familiar. The account of the Versailles Treaty and the 1920s in Europe certainly makes the 1930s more understandable: an understanding I lacked when I came to consciousness concerning European events about 1938 (I recall being highly interested in Hitler taking over Austria) but without knowing what this book tells so well, I could not be as wise as I then may have thought I was. ( )