'An excellent little book... [Hawes] knows what he's on about and his conclusions are measured, but he favours clear, concise prose over dense academese. He has a sense of humour, and a sharp eye for similarities between then and now.'
SPECTATOR
'The Shortest History of Germany, a new, must-read book by the writer James Hawes, [recounts] how the so-called limes separating Roman Germany from non-Roman Germany has remained a formative distinction throughout the post-ancient history of the German people.'
ECONOMIST
'Sweeping and confident... has a frightening urgency'
OBSERVER
'Engaging... I suspect I shall remember it for a lifetime'
OLDIE
James Hawes has published six novels with Jonathan Cape. Speak for England (2005) predicted Brexit; it has been adapted for the screen by Andrew Davies, though not yet filmed. His most recent book, The Shortest History of Germany, was the bestselling history title of 2018 in the UK. He is currently working on a BBC documentary series about the history of British creativity.