To share your reaction on this item, open the Amazon app from the App Store or Google Play on your phone.

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

eBook features:
  • Highlight, take notes, and search in the book
  • In this edition, page numbers are just like the physical edition
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Germany and the Modern World, 1880–1914 Kindle Edition

5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 1 rating

The German Empire before 1914 had the fastest growing economy in Europe and was the strongest military power in the world. Yet it appeared, from a reading of many contemporaries' accounts, to be lagging behind other nation-states and to be losing the race to divide up the rest of the globe. This book is an ambitious re-assessment of how Wilhelmine Germans conceived of themselves and the German Empire's place in the world in the lead-up to the First World War. Mark Hewitson re-examines the varying forms of national identification, allegiance and politics following the creation and consolidation of a German nation-state in light of contemporary debates about modernity, race, industrialization, colonialism and military power. Despite the new claims being made for the importance of empire to Germany's development, he reveals that the majority of transnational networks and contemporaries' interactions and horizons remained intra-European or transatlantic rather than truly global.
Due to its large file size, this book may take longer to download

Editorial Reviews

Review

‘This is a welcome historical analysis of German national identity in the era before the First World War, during what is often called the ‘first global age'. The study, which challenges many of the claims made about the impact of globalization, is certain to provoke reflection and controversy.' Roger Chickering, Georgetown University, Washington DC

‘By highlighting the ways in which the expansion of transnational contacts and networks shaped - or failed to shape - public discourses on imperialism, nationalism, economics, and foreign policy, he makes a compelling case for continuing to situate the nation-state at, or near, the center of studies of the first phase of globalization. As a result, Germany and the Modern World, 1880–1914 will be essential reading for scholars and students of German history on the eve of the 'short twentieth century'.' Gavin Wiens, H-Transnational German Studies

'Hewitson has written a very balanced book, full of new and often surprising insights … He debunks many traditional assumptions, and presents interesting contemporary illustrations … A timely and welcome book indeed.' Martijn Lak, European History Quarterly

‘In Germany and the Modern World, 1880–1914 Mark Hewitson develops an astutely measured, non-polemical appraisal of the concept of the ‘globalized nation' on the eve of the First World War, setting the irreducible Europeanness of Germany's dynamism beside and against the wider overseas expansionism. An authoritative, timely and beautifully executed intervention.' Geoff Eley, University of Michigan

‘This is simply an impressive contribution by Mark Hewitson. The book makes a timely, crucial and critical contribution to the German Empire and its interwoven relationships within Europe and beyond in a globalizing world around 1900.' Bernhard Struck, University of St Andrews

'Wide ranging and ambitious, Hewitson’s examination of the process of German nation building integrates topics that include modernity, globalization, transnationalism, imperialism, nationalism, and racism. Scholars will also find considerable value in Hewitson’s extensive engagement throughout with varied strands of historiographic literature. Highly recommended.' A. C. Stanley, Choice

About the Author

Mark Hewitson is Professor of German History and Politics and Director of European Social and Political Studies at University College London. His publications include Absolute War: Violence and Mass Warfare in the German Lands, 1792–1820 (2017) and The People's Wars: Histories of Violence in the German Lands, 1820–1888 (2017).

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07DXX556H
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cambridge University Press (July 5, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 5, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 15921 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Up to 4 simultaneous devices, per publisher limits
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 528 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 1 rating

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Mark Hewitson
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

Customer reviews

5 out of 5 stars
1 global rating

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers

No customer reviews

There are 0 customer reviews and 1 customer rating.

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?