The histories of nations: how their identities were forged

Twenty-eight intimate and unconventional autobiographies of the nation/state, told by historians from their respective countries.Global histories tend to be written from the narrow viewpoint of a single author and a single perspective, with the inevitable bias that it entails. But in this thought-provoking collection, twenty-eight writers and scholars give engaging, often passionate accounts of their own nation's history. The countries have been selected to represent every continent and every type of state: large and small; mature democracies and religious autocracies; states that have existed for thousands of years and those born as recently as the twentieth century. Together they contain two-thirds of the world's population. In the United States, for example, the myth of the nation's "historylessness" remains strong, but in China history is seen to play a crucial role in legitimizing three thousand years of imperial authority. "History wars" over the content of textbooks rage... Global Histories Tend To Be Written From The Narrow Viewpoint Of A Single Author And A Single Perspective, With The Inevitable Bias That It Entails. But In This Thought-provoking Collection, Twenty-eight Writers And Scholars Give Engaging, Often Passionate Accounts Of Their Own Nation's History.the Countries Have Been Selected To Represent Every Continent And Every Type Of State: Large And Small; Mature Democracies And Religious Autocracies; States That Have Existed For Thousands Of Years And Those Born As Recently As The Twentieth Century.together They Contain Two-thirds Of The World's Population. In The United States, For Example, The Myth Of The Nation's Historylessness Remains Strong, But In China History Is Seen To Play A Crucial Role In Legitimizing Three Thousand Years Of Imperial Authority. History Wars Over The Content Of Textbooks Rage In Countries As Diverse As Australia, Russia, And Japan. Some Countries, Such As Iran Or Egypt, Are Blessed--or Cursed--with A Glorious Ancient History That The Present Cannot Equal; Others, Such As Germany, Must Find Ways Of Approaching And Reconciling The Pain Of The Recent Past.--publisher's Website. Introduction / Peter Furtado -- Egypt / Hussein Bassir -- India / Mihir Bose -- Iran / Homa Katouzian -- Greece / Antonis Liakos -- China / Zhitian Luo -- Ireland / Ciaran Brady -- Spain / Enric Ucelay-da Cal -- France / Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie -- Russia / Dina Khapaeva -- The Czech Republic / Pavel Seifter -- Poland / Iwona Sakowicz -- Hungary / László Kontler -- Turkey / Murat Siviloglu -- Brazil / Luiz Marques -- Mexico / Elizabeth Baquedano -- The Netherlands / Willem Frijhoff -- Sweden / Peter Aronsson -- Great Britain / Jeremy Black -- The United States / Peter Onuf -- Australia / Stuart Macintyre -- Ghana / Wilhelmina Donkoh -- Finland / Pirjo Markkola -- Argentina / Federico Lorenz -- Canada / Margaret Conrad -- Italy / Giovanni Levi -- Japan / Ryuichi Narita -- Germany / Stefan Berger -- Israel / Colin Shindler. Edited By Peter Furtado. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Now in paperback, this global bestseller is an engaging and informative read on the history of a diverse array of countries. Global histories tend to be written from the limited viewpoint of a single author and a single perspective, which results in an inevitable bias. In this book, however, twenty-eight different writers and scholars from around the world contribute, giving engaging, often passionate accounts of their own nation's history. The countries featured in Histories of Nations have been selected to represent every continent and type of state: large and small; mature democracies and religious autocracies; states that have existed for thousands of years and those born as recently as the twentieth century. Each of these countries has a different relationship with history. In the United States, for example, the myth of the nation's "historylessness" remains strong, but in China history is seen to play a crucial role in legitimizing three thousand years of imperial authority. "History wars" over the content of textbooks rage in countries as diverse as Australia, Russia, and Japan. Some countries, such as Iran or Egypt, are blessed—or cursed—with a glorious ancient history that the present cannot equal; others, such as Germany, must find ways of approaching and reconciling the pain of the recent past. Original, thought-provoking, and handy in its new paperback format, Histories of Nations is a crucial primer for the Global Age. "Global histories tend to be written from the narrow viewpoint of a single author and a single perspective, with the inevitable bias that it entails. But in this thought-provoking collection, twenty-eight writers and scholars give engaging, often passionate accounts of their own nation's history. The countries have been selected to represent every continent and every type of state : large and small; mature democracies and religious autocracies; states that have existed for thousands of years and those born as recently as the twentieth century. Together they contain two-thirds of the world's population. In the United States, for example, the myth of the nation's "historylessness" remains strong, but in China history is seen to play a crucial role in legitimizing three thousand years of imperial authority. "History wars" over the content of textbooks rage in countries as diverse as Australia, Russia, and Japan. Some countries, such as Iran or Egypt, are blessed--or cursed--with a glorious ancient history that the present cannot equal; others, such as Germany, must find ways of approaching and reconciling the pain of the recent past."--Publisher's website To Understand The Cultural And Political Differences That Endanger Our World, We Need To Appreciate Fundamental National Stories. In This Unique Book, Leading Writers And Scholars From Twenty-eight Countries Give Thoughtful, Engaging Accounts Of Their Own Nations History. The Countries Have Been Selected To Represent Every Continent And Every Type Of State: Large And Small; Mature Democracies And Religious Autocracies; States That Have Existed For Centuries And Those Born Recently, Making Up Two-thirds Of The Worlds Population. Peter Furtado Is The Former Editor Of The Internationally Renowned Magazine 'history Today'. Note: The Ebook Edition Includes The Complete Text Of The Printed Book With A Reduced Number Of Illustrations. Most books on the history of the world try to impose a uniform narrative, however Histories of Nations is different: it presents 28 essays written by leading historians as self-portraits of their native countries, defining the characteristics that embody a sense of nationhood Sweden * Mexico * Egypt * Germany * Britain * India * Ireland * Canada * Ghana * Netherlands * Iran * Russia * Hungary * France * Italy * Greece * Argentina * China * Australia * Finland * Brazil * Japan * United States * Poland * Czech Republic * Turkey * Israel * Spain A unique lens through which to view the modern world: 28 insider accounts of national histories, now available in B-format paperback.