Jackson's book deals with the political & cultural history of Europe in the twentieth century. It is not, however, a chronological survey concentrating on political & economic developments. Rather, the major aspects of those developments, & of international relations-both peaceful & warlike-are seen as the necessary background for the consideration of European culture, values, practical expectations, & the lifestyles available to, or imposed upon, the population as a whole. The "civilization" of twentieth-century Europe has included many of the most revolutionary scientific advances in human history, some of the most original movements in art & music, & the creation of a "welfare state" offering greater & more varied opportunities to the ordinary citizen than any previous civilization. It has democratized both traditional intellectual & artistic culture, & the popular culture of mass media entertainment, travel, & athletics. It has witnessed the gradual extension of the concepts of human rights & religious & racial toleration. The "barbarity" of the present century has included the two most destructive wars in human history; a large number of authoritarian, arbitrary, & incompetent dictatorships; &, in the forms of Nazism & Stalinism, the most vile & sadistic regimes of which we have any documented record. In addressing his subject, Jackson offers concentrated discussion of specific examples to convey the current significance, & the possible future, of a democratic & pluralistic Europe.

CONTENTS * Preface * Europe before the First World War * The First World War * Uncertain Peace & Recovery * Fascism & the Wave of Conservative Dictatorships * The Scientific Revolution, 1895-1939 * The Fine Arts & Music, c. 1895-1939 * The Confrontation of Fascism, Communism, & Democracy * The Second World War, 1939-1945 * The German Occupation of Europe, 1940-1945 * The Welfare State, 1945-1990 * The Soviet Empire, 1940-1991 * Science & the Zeitgeist, 1940-1990 * The Cold War in German & Central-Eastern Europe * Interpreting Twentieth Century Europe * Notes * Index.