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A must-read for beginners in German history, it is a classic that dissects the dual characteristics of the German nation. This book allows you to understand the romance and violence, rationality and fanaticism of the Germans. From Karl the Great who dreamed of dominating the world, to Gutenberg who invented letterpress printing, to Luther who devoted his life to the religious reform, to Kepler who discovered the laws of the planets, to Goethe who emerged from the violent movement, to the cynical Beethoven, to Bismarck, the iron-blooded chancellor who unified Germany, to the infamous Hitler, this book narrates the history of the German nation. In the thousand-year history of rise and fall from 800 AD to the 1940s, the author describes the existence of two Germanys: one is the cultural world composed of artists and philosophers, and the other is the political world composed of soldiers and emperors. These two worlds are separated from each other and rarely intersect, ultimately shaping the dual character of the German nation. They are serious and conscientious, and they climb the peak of human civilization, which is admirable; but they are also ferocious and barbaric, and want to conquer the world, which is feared and disgusted.

This book is a shocking epic created by the German writer Emil Ludwig. It depicts the thousand-year history of Germany's rise and fall from AD 800 to the 1940s. Charlemagne who dreamed of dominating the world, Gutenberg who invented movable type printing, Luther who devoted his life to the religious reform, Kepler who discovered the laws of the planets, Goethe who emerged from the violent movement, the cynical Beethoven, Bismarck, the iron-blooded chancellor who unified Germany, the notorious Hitler... Through the vivid description of these historical figures, the author makes readers seem to be immersed in the situation and relive the history of the Germans for thousands of years. The German nation is both serious and diligent in reaching the peak of human culture; it is also ferocious and barbaric, ambitious and wants to conquer the world. Why do such opposite personalities come together in one person? This book will also provide answers.