Postwar Europe: A Very Short Introduction

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Richard Bessel (Professor of Twentieth Century History emeritus, Professor of Twentieth Century History emeritus, University of York)

Postwar Europe

A Very Short Introduction

Richard Bessel (Professor of Twentieth Century History emeritus, Professor of Twentieth Century History emeritus, University of York)

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Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

Oxford University Press
16 January 2026

History; European history; Social & cultural history; The Cold War

Series: Very Short Introductions

Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, InspiringThe Second World War was the most destructive conflict in history.

It left Europe in ruins, its economies severely damaged and millions of its people facing malnutrition, its political systems shaken if not destroyed.

Yet three decades later its economies had recovered; it largely appeared politically stable; its inhabitants generally were well housed and well fed. Then at the end of the 1980s, the postwar settlement disintegrated, and a new chapter in Europe's postwar history had begun.

In this Very Short introduction, Richard Bessel presents a clear, concise, informative account of Europe's history between the end of the Second World War and roughly the end of the twentieth century. He explores the conditions in Europe at the end of the war, how political life took shape and societies were rebuilt, the impressive economic recovery, the Cold War division, the end of empire, and European cultural life. Bessel discusses how we might understand the beginnings and endings of the postwar era, and emphasises the importance of the experiences and actions of specific generations of Europeans. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

By: Richard Bessel (Professor of Twentieth Century History emeritus Professor of Twentieth Century History emeritus University of York)
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 174mm, Width: 112mm, Spine: 13mm
Weight: 184g
ISBN: 9780198851660
ISBN 10: 0198851669
Series: Very Short Introductions
Pages: 224
Publication Date: 16 January 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Richard Bessel is Emeritus Professor of History at York. He is the author of numerous books including Life in the Third Reich (2001) and Germany after the First World War (1993). Alongside Claudia B. Haake, Bessel co-edited Removing Peoples: Forced Removal in the Modern World (2011).