Cambridge Concise Histories - Cambridge University Press

Home > History > Cambridge Concise Histories > View the series

Cambridge Concise Histories - Your Passport to History

View the series

Europe

A Concise History of Britain
W. A. Speck

'...phenomenal feat of compression...Speck is a confident and reliable guide...an elegant narrative combined with judicious analysis.'
History Today

This book provides a concise, illustrated history of Great Britain over the past three centuries, from its formation as a sovereign state between the Union of England and Scotland in 1707 to its partial loss of sovereignty in the accession to the European Community, confirmed in the referendum result of 1975. Professor Speck emphasises political and social trends. In particular he argues that conservative politics prevailed largely in a deeply conservative society, and that reactionary causes generally obtained more support than radical campaigns. The book is highly illustrated with pictures and photographs and contains a bibliography and other features of use to students and general readers.

Hardback | Paperback

A Concise History of Bulgaria
R. J. Crampton

This book provides a general introduction to the history of Bulgaria and the Bulgarians. The text and illustrations trace the rich and dramatic story from the days when Bulgaria was the centre of a powerful medieval empire, through the long centuries of Ottoman rule, to the cultural renaissance of the nineteenth century and the political upheavals of our own century. Independence, when achieved, posed its own problems. The most persistent - that of the frontiers and territorial dissatisfaction - led Bulgaria into three wars during the twentieth century. In all three Bulgaria emerged as a loser, yet war did not always bring dishonour: for example, Bulgaria managed to save its Jews from deportation to the gas chambers during the second world war. Communist domination seemed to merge Bulgaria into the Soviet orbit but, as the post-communist years have shown, Bulgaria and the Bulgarians have a sturdy sense of national pride and identity.

Hardback | Paperback

A Concise History of France
Second Edition
Roger Price

A clear and up-to-date guide to French history from the early Middle Ages to the present - from Charlemagne to Chirac. Among the book's central themes are the relationship between state and society, the impact of war and the use of political power. This second edition, substantially re-written to take account of recent research, includes a new chapter on contemporary France; a society and political system in crisis as a result of globalisation, international terrorism, racial tension and a loss of confidence in political leaders.

Hardback | Paperback

A Concise History of Germany
Mary Fulbrook

'...a thunderingly good read...The fact that the story takes in the 19891990 Revolution is an added bonus...the best introduction to German history for the general reader.’
German History

This book aims to provide a clear and informative guide to the twists and turns of German history from the early middle ages to the present day. The multi-faceted, problematic history of the German lands has provoked a wide range of debates and differences of interpretation. Dr Fulbrook provides a crisp synthesis of a vast array of historical material, and explores the interrelationships between social, political and cultural factors in the light of scholarly controversies.

Hardback | Paperback

A Concise History of Greece (Second Edition)
Richard Clogg

'...Readers who go no further than this concise history will have at their disposal the basic knowledge to understand Greece and what made it what it is today.'
The Times Literary Supplement

Now reissued in a second, updated edition, this book provides a concise, illustrated introduction to the history of modern Greece, from the first stirrings of the national movement in the late eighteenth century to the present day. It is designed to provide a basic introduction for general and academic readers with little or no prior knowledge of the subject, and supersedes Professor Clogg's A Short History of Modern Greece which became a classic following its initial publication in 1979. This wholly new book, first published in 1992, was conceived afresh for a broad readership.

Hardback | Paperback

A Concise History of Hungary
Miklós Molnár, Translated by Anna Magyar

'Good surveys of Hungarian history are rare. Miklos Molnar's new book is an exception. It is analytical, opinionated, yet reliable - and an enjoyable read as well.'
Budapest in Your Pocket Guide

The author offers a comprehensive thousand-year history of the land, people, society, culture and economy of Hungary, from its nebulous origins in the Ural Mountains to the elections of 1988. It tells above all the thrilling story of a people which became a great power in the region and then fought against - and was invaded by - Ottomans, Germans and Soviets. The Hungarian people preserved nevertheless a continuous individuality through its Ural-born language and a specifically Hungaro-European culture. Dominated from the sixteenth century by the Habsburgs, while ruling its own national minorities, Hungary was deprived of two-thirds of its lands and peoples through successive treaties which followed the two World Wars, after which it fell under Soviet domination for nearly fifty years. Free and independent since 1990, Hungary continues to seek its rightful position in Europe.

Hardback | Paperback

A Concise History of Italy
Christopher Duggan

'...a detailed, well-structured guide to the problems that still dog the heels of this geographically booted country.'
Teaching History

Since its creation in 1861, Italy has struggled to develop an effective political system and a secure sense of national identity. This concise history, which covers the period from the fall of the Roman empire in the west to the present day, looks in particular at the difficulties Italy has faced during the last two centuries in forging a nation state. The opening chapters consider the geographical and cultural obstacles to unity, and survey the long centuries of political fragmentation in the peninsula since the sixth century. It was this legacy of fragmentation which Italy’s new rulers had to strive to overcome when the country became united, more by accident than design, in 185961. The book aims to weave together political, economic, social and cultural history, and stresses in particular the alternation between materialist and idealist programmes for forging a nation state.

Hardback | Paperback

A Concise History of Poland
Jerzy Lukowski, Hubert Zawadzki

Poland is a country which sporadically hits the headlines of the Anglo-Saxon world. It has suffered the dubious distinction of being wiped off the political map in 1795 to be resurrected after the First World War only to suffer apparent annihilation during the Second, with reduction to satellite status of the Soviet Union only to emerge in the van of resistance to Soviet domination during the 1980s. Yet the history of Poland remains comparatively little known. This book offers a brief, non-specialist introduction to Polish history, from medieval times to the present day, and is the only short history of Poland available in English. It concentrates essentially on political development which, particularly for the pre-nineteenth-century period, still remains little known to English readers. The book also includes much material on relations with Germany, Russia, the Ukraine, Lithuania, and other neighbouring states.

Hardback | Paperback | Sample chapter (PDF, 310KB)

A Concise History of Portugal (Second Edition)
David Birmingham

'...should become standard reading for all those seeking an insight into the historical evolution of this remarkable country.'
The Times Higher Education Supplement

This concise, illustrated history of Portugal offers an introduction to the people and culture of the country, its empire, and to its search for economic modernisation, political stability and international partnership. The book studies the effects of the vast wealth mined from Portuguese Brazil, the growth of the wine trade, and the evolution of international ties. The Portuguese Revolution of 1820 to 1851 created a liberal monarchy, but in 1910 the king was overthrown and, by 1926, had been replaced by a dictatorship. In 1975 Portugal withdrew from its African colonies and turned north to become a democratic member of the European Community in 1986. Researched during the years which followed the fall of Portugal's dictators in 1974, this book has become the standard single-volume work. The second edition brings the story up to date and discusses the state of historical writing on Portugal at the turn of the millennium.

Hardback | Paperback

Coming soon...

Concise Histories of The Baltics, Iceland, Finland, Sweden, Wales, Denmark and Ireland

North America

A Concise History of Mexico
Brian R. Hamnett

'...invites debate among scholars. General readers will find it a useful...introduction to Mexican history.'
The Times Literary Supplement

Mexico’s fascinating complexities are difficult to approach. This illustrated Concise History begins with a brief examination of contemporary issues, while the book as a whole - ranging from the Olmecs to the present day - combines a chronological and thematic approach while highlighting long-term issues and controversies. Modern Mexico, founded after independence from Spain in 1821, was created out of a long and disparate historical inheritance which has constantly influenced its evolution. This book takes account of that past and pays attention to the pre-Columbian and Spanish colonial influence. Mexico’s economic problems are given historical treatment together with political analysis and attention to social and cultural factors. The book’s prime objective is accessibility to readers, including those interested in gaining a broad general knowledge of the country and those across the professions anxious to secure a rapid but secure understanding of a subject where there are few starting points.

Hardback | Paperback | Sample chapter (PDF, 553KB)

Coming soon...

A Concise History of America

South America

A Concise History of Bolivia
Herbert Klein

In its first Spanish edition, Herbert Klein’s A Concise History of Bolivia won immediate acceptance within Bolivia as the new standard history of this important nation. Surveying Bolivia’s economic, social, cultural, and political evolution from the arrival of early man in the Andes to the present, this current version brings the history of this society up to the present day, covering the fundamental changes which have occurred since the National Revolution of 1952 and the return of democracy in 1982. These changes have included the introduction of universal education and the rise of the mestizos and Indian populations to political power for the first time in national history. Containing an updated bibliography, A Concise History of Bolivia remains an essential text for courses in Latin American history and politics.

Hardback | Paperback | Sample chapter (PDF, 214KB)

A Concise History of Brazil
Boris Fausto

A Concise History of Brazil covers almost 500 years of Brazilian history, from the arrival of the Portuguese in the New World to the political events that defined the transition in recent years from an authoritarian to a democratic political regime. Brazilian territorial unity and national identity were forged throughout the nineteenth century, after the proclamation of independence in 1822, resulting in a nation with one common language and wide ethnic and racial variety. Remarkable in this respect, the country nevertheless faces problems of social and ethnic disparity as well as of preservation and adequate use of its natural resources. This book emphasizes topics that have deeply influenced the historical formation of Brazil and affected its existence to the present day, such as the destruction of Indian civilizations, slavery and massive immigration throughout the last decades of the nineteenth century and the first decades of the twentieth century.

Hardback | Paperback

Africa

A Concise History of South Africa
Robert Ross

'Ross...writes clearly and vigorously and covers a remarkable range of topics...the book is attractively produced and liberally illustrated.'
The Times Literary Supplement

This book provides a succinct synthesis of South African history from the introduction of agriculture about 1500 years ago up to and including the government of Nelson Mandela. Stressing economic, social, cultural and environmental matters as well as political history, it shows how South Africa has become a single country. On the one hand it lays emphasis on the country’s African heritage, and shows how this continues to influence social structures, ways of thought and ideas of governance. On the other, it chronicles the processes of colonial conquest and of economic development and unification stemming from the industrial revolution which began at the end of the nineteenth century. This leads on to a description and analysis of the fundamental political changes which South Africa is currently undergoing, while providing a background for the understanding of those many things which have not changed.

Hardback | Paperback

Asia

A Concise History of India
Barbara D. Metcalf, Thomas R. Metcalf

'Lucid, comprehensive and up-to-dat

e, this book will surely establish itself as essential reading for all undergraduate and graduate courses on South Asian history.'
C. A. Bayly, Vere Harmsworth Professor of Imperial and Naval History, University of Cambridge

Two distinguished historians, Barbara Metcalf and Thomas Metcalf, come together to write a new and accessible account of modern India. The narrative, which charts the history of India from the Mughals, through the colonial encounter and independence, to the present day, challenges imperialist notions of an unchanging and monolithic India bounded by tradition and religious hierarchies. Instead the book reveals a complex society which is constantly transforming and reinventing itself in response to political and social challenges. The book is beautifully composed and richly illustrated. It will be essential reading for anyone who wants to understand India, her turbulent past and her present uncertainties.

Hardback | Paperback | Sample chapter (PDF, 321KB)

Australia

A Concise History of Australia
Stuart Macintyre

'...a lively, intelligent, opinionated and very well written one-volume history, traversing some well-covered territory of colonial and 20th-century Australia with a fresh eye that doesn’t fail to observe the big and small picture.'
Australian Bookseller and Publisher

Australia is the last continent to be settled by Europeans, but it also sustains a people and a culture tens of thousands of years old. For much of the past 200 years the newcomers have sought to replace the old with the new. This book tells how they imposed themselves on the land, and describes how they brought technology, institutions and ideas to make it their own. It relates the advance from penal colony to a prosperous free nation and illustrates how, in a nation created by waves of newcomers, the search for binding traditions has long been frustrated by the feeling of rootlessness. Now, with the realisation that colonisation began with invasion, present-day Australians are - more than ever before - coming to terms with their past and recognising the need to redefine and reposition Australia in a changing world. This is the most up-to-date single-volume Australian history available.

Hardback | Paperback

A Concise History of New Zealand
Philippa Mein Smith

New Zealand was the last major landmass, other than Antarctica, to be settled by humans. In this new account of New Zealand’s history, Philippa Mein Smith considers this rugged and dynamic land from its break from Gondwana 80 million years ago to the beginning of the twenty-first century. Mein Smith highlights the effects of the country’s smallness and isolation, from late settlement by Polynesian voyagers, very late colonisation and settlement by Europeans, and the interactions that made these people Maori and Pakeha, to struggles over land, and efforts through time to manage global forces. This is a history that places New Zealand in its global and regional context, linked to Britain, immersed in the Pacific, and part of Australasia. Distinctively, this book unravels the ways in which key moments have contributed to the founding of the country’s national myths.

Hardback | Paperback