Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945

While I doubt an online review of an 850-page book is going to convince anyone to buy the book, if it can influence you -- buy this book. Judt's book may be long but it is highly readable and once you are finished you will know what you need to know about the Europe of today. For those of us in Canada, overwhelmed by U.S. influences, it is particularly important. It has certainly been around for a while but I think has come into new focus in the last few years. As the 2008 U.S. election unfolds, it is even more important. And it also points to how the Harper government's lack of focus on potential European allies can only work to our detriment. An excellent book.

Having visited a number of countries mentioned in the book recently, I gained a lot of insight into what went on in Europe after WWII. A lot I was aware of, but this book filled in details that were missing in my knowledge bank. Having just come back from Ukraine/Romania I was particularly interested in the role that Russia played during that preriod. Excellent book.