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PantsTime t1_j9jgxkc wrote

"Blood and Iron" by Katja Hoyer is a wonderful description of the Bismarck-Wilhelmite period during which Germany unified, militarized and emerged as a superpower.

Considering how much is in it, it is amazingly short. Vital background for those interested in the World Wars and how they came about.

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sweetstunner0124 t1_j9jisdh wrote

Thank you for this! My family emigrated to America from Germany around the time of unification and I've always wondered what might have prompted them to do that. This book might have some insight into what my ancestors were going through!

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PantsTime t1_j9o0bj8 wrote

Indeed! It isn't just political conditions like wars that make people move, but many parts of Germany urbanised and industrialised, causing much social dislocation.

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jayhawk1941 t1_j9midf6 wrote

I second this book! It’s in my top 10 favorites of all time!

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Tiny-Bus-3820 t1_j9nyhaq wrote

Sounds like you are a Katja Hoyer fan. Just thought I’d mention that she has a new book coming out called: Beyond the Wall: A History of East Germany. It is available for preorder on Amazon. The book will be released on September 5, 2023. I already ordered a copy so I’m happy to find out that she’s a good writer!!

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PantsTime t1_j9o0kw9 wrote

On the under-rated YouTube channel "WW2TV" she does a lecture on the rise of Nazism starting in 1918 (which is when you have to start that story). The channel is long form, the episode is an hour or so, but she covers everything, very engagingly and concisely.

Considering how misunderstood this period is, and how intricate it can be, it's a real treasure to have it laid out so clearly.

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Tiny-Bus-3820 t1_j9o8arn wrote

Thanks for telling me about that YouTube channel. I like to hear about the history channels that they offer. Thank you so much.

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jayhawk1941 t1_j9rrdrk wrote

Just added to my History playlist! Thanks for sharing!

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