The result is a tour de force - a book that raises countless questions about the nature of political and military power, about diplomacy and the nature of European civilization and about the legacy of the empire, which has continued to haunt its offspring, from imperial and Nazi Germany to the European Union. Wilson (Author) 185 ratings Editors' pick Best History Kindle 14.04 Read with Our Free App Audiobook 0.00 Free with your Audible trial Hardcover 47.95 24 Used from 35.00 6 New from 87.94 1 Collectible from 1,470. The result is a tour de force that raises countless questions about the nature of political and military power and the legacy of its offspring, from Nazi Germany to the European Union. Heart of Europe: A History of the Holy Roman Empire Audio CD Unabridged, Maby Peter H. His book amounts to a panoramic vision of pre-modern Europe, expanding outward from the vast and varied landscapes of the Reich Despite its vast sweep, this is remarkably fine-grained history. Wilson explains how the Holy Roman Empire worked, why it was so important, and how it changed over the course of its existence. He tracks the medieval Empire back to its ancient roots, and he excavates its subterranean modern afterlife. Voltaire quipped that it was neither holy, Roman, nor an empire. Yet this formidable dominion never inspired the awe of its predecessor. It is not a chronological history, but an attempt to convey to readers the Empire's unique nature, why it was so important and how it changed over its existence. In this strikingly ambitious book, Peter H. The Holy Roman Empire lasted 1,000 years, far longer than ancient Rome. In this strikingly ambitious book, Peter H. It was a great engine for inventions and ideas, it was the origin of many modern European states, from Germany to the Czech Republic, its relations with Italy, France and Poland dictated the course of countless wars - indeed, European history as a whole makes no sense without it.

An astonishing, essential book on what was for ten centuries Europe's largest state - the Holy Roman EmpireĪ great, sprawling, ancient and unique entity, the Holy Roman Empire, from its founding by Charlemagne to its destruction by Napoleon a millennium later, formed the heart of Europe.

Heart of Europe by Peter H. Wilson