Ruin and Renewal: Civilising Europe After the Second World War

After World War II, Europe was in ruins, morally and physically. Europeans sought to understand what had happened and forge a new understanding of civilisation to bring peace and progress. This is an account of how Europe rose from the ashes, forging itself anew, and how institutions and shared ideals still shape our world today.

Format: Hardback
Length: 544 pages
Publication date: 05 November 2020
Publisher: Profile Books Ltd

In the aftermath of World War II, Europe found itself in a state of devastation. Cities and towns were ravaged, economies were crippled, and societies were torn apart by conflict and violence. The physical destruction left a profound moral question: how could a continent that had once been proud of its place at the heart of the civilized world have descended into such chaos?

As the years passed, Europeans from all walks of life sought to understand the events that had led to this crisis and to forge a new understanding of civilization that would bring peace and progress to a broken continent. Politicians, refugees, poets, campaigners, religious leaders, and communist revolutionaries all played a role in this effort. They grappled with questions ranging from the legacy of colonialism to workplace etiquette, and in the process, institutions and shared ideals emerged that continue to shape our world today.

This book is a gripping and authoritative account of how Europe rose from the ashes of the Second World War, forging itself anew in the process. It draws on original sources as well as individual stories and voices to provide a comprehensive view of this transformative period. Through its pages, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges that Europe faced and the remarkable resilience and creativity that saw it emerge as a stronger and more unified continent.

Weight: 742g
Dimension: 163 x 242 x 43 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788161091
Edition number: Main