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A People's History of Europe

From World War I to Today

Raquel Varela author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Pluto Press

Published:20th Feb '21

Should be back in stock very soon

This hardback is available in another edition too:

A People's History of Europe cover

This engaging narrative explores the last century of European history through the voices of ordinary people. A People's History of Europe offers a fresh perspective.

In A People's History of Europe, readers are invited to explore a unique narrative that spans the last century of European history. This account emphasizes the voices of ordinary people, revealing how they influenced significant events from World War I to the present day. The author, Raquel Varela, skillfully weaves together stories of workers, trade unionists, and activists, highlighting their roles in pivotal moments such as the Russian Revolution, May '68, and the Prague Spring.

The book challenges traditional historical narratives by focusing on the struggles and achievements of everyday individuals. Through their experiences, we gain insight into the broader themes of revolutions, labor movements, immigration, and anti-colonial conflicts that have shaped Europe. By presenting these events from a grassroots perspective, A People's History of Europe offers a refreshing alternative to mainstream accounts that often overlook the contributions of the common people.

Varela's work not only informs but also inspires, painting a portrait of a continent where ordinary Europeans are seen as active agents in their own history. This narrative invites readers to reconsider their understanding of European history, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the complexities and nuances that have defined the continent over the past hundred years.

'A vivid and passionate fresco of a century of tumultuous European social history'

-- Pietro Basso, Ca' Foscari University of Venice

'Raquel Varela succeeds in explaining the disasters of European neoliberalism, without ever romanticising the social pact that went before it. In a work with a rich sense of historical possibility, she shows how every inch of social progress had to be fought for and how little it ever had to do with the European institutions'

-- David Broder, 'Jaco

ISBN: 9780745341347

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 495g

272 pages