"In this second edition, Richard Overy presents the history of a civilization scrambling to save itself from looming disaster which seemed as brutal and tragic as it was unavoidable. By 1918 an entire generation across Europe felt themselves poised at a crossroads: a choice between chaos and decline on the one hand or a whole new world political and economic order on the other. In this atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, entire populations strove to choose order over chaos by turning to the political extremes of fascism and communism. When explanation was required, blame was laid at the doors of enfeebled democracy, communist subversion or Jewish plots." "Despite the yearning for peace, war appeared inescapable - not simply a reaction to Hitler's rise to power, war was also seen by some as a welcome way out of a bankrupt and crisis ridden age, a violent ending that would clear the stale air of the inter-war world."--BOOK JACKET.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 147-153) and index.
Processing Action (note)
committed to retain
Contents
Pt. 1. Background -- 1. What kind of crisis? -- Pt. 2. Analysis -- 2. Revolution and counter-revolution -- 3. A crisis of modernization -- 4. The 'end of civilization' -- 5. The 'Great Crash' : capitalism in crisis -- 6. Democracy and dictatorship -- 7. The international crisis -- Pt. 3. Assessment -- 8. The challenge of progress -- Pt. 4. Documents.