Overview

European Dictatorships 1918–1945 surveys the extraordinary circumstances leading to, and arising from, the transformation of over half of Europe’s states to dictatorships between the first and the second world wars. From the notorious dictatorships of Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin to less well-known states and leaders, Stephen J. Lee scrutinizes the experiences of Russia, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Central and Eastern European states. This fourth edition has been fully revised and updated throughout. New material for this edition includes: the most recent research on individual dictatorships a new chapter on the experiences of Europe’s democracies at the hands of Germany, Italy and Russia an expanded chapter on Spain a new section on dictatorships beyond Europe, exploring the European and indigenous roots of dictatorships in Latin America, Asia and Africa. Extensively illustrated with images, maps, tables and a comparative timeline, and supported by a companion website providing further resources for study (www.routledge.com/cw/lee), European Dictatorships 1918–1945 is a clear, detailed and highly accessible analysis of the tumultuous events of early twentieth-century Europe.

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9780415736145

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Reviews

This is an excellent, balanced and well-written account of Europe's notorious dictators. In particular, the section on Spain presents a subtle yet diverse portrait of the country's tormented experience under General Franco. Antonio Cazorla Sanchez, Trent University, Canada Lee's book provides a comprehensive and chronologically-driven narrative of events while also engaging in the comparative study of fascism and comparative dictatorships. It is not all about theory and the conceptual status of 'fascism' and 'communism', and thus is a better introduction for students who may be new to the area of study. Julie V. Gottlieb, University of Sheffield, UK The book's strength is its truly comprehensive overview of the history of dictatorships in twentieth-century Europe, while also providing a theoretical framework for understanding that history. Its rigorous comparative approach helps to make sense of the larger phenomenon. David G. Tompkins, Carleton College, Canada

This is an excellent, balanced and well-written account of Europe's notorious dictators. In particular, the section on Spain presents a subtle yet diverse portrait of the country's tormented experience under General Franco. Antonio Cazorla Sanchez, Trent University, Canada Lee's book provides a comprehensive and chronologically-driven narrative of events while also engaging in the comparative study of fascism and comparative dictatorships. It is not all about theory and the conceptual status of 'fascism' and 'communism', and thus is a better introduction for students who may be new to the area of study. Julie V. Gottlieb, University of Sheffield, UK The book's strength is its truly comprehensive overview of the history of dictatorships in twentieth-century Europe, while also providing a theoretical framework for understanding that history. Its rigorous comparative approach helps to make sense of the larger phenomenon. David G. Tompkins, Carleton College, USA My students have found Lee's book to be a superb entree to scholarly understanding of the dictatorships. The book is very accessibly written but does not shy away from complex issues: the historiographic and theoretical discussions shine. I have particularly liked the breadth of Lee's survey and the new edition carries this further, with its separate chapters on Spain and the effect of the dictatorships on the smaller democratic countries around them. Christopher Burton, University of Lethbridge, Canada

This is an excellent, balanced and well-written account of Europes notorious dictators. In particular, the section on Spain presents a subtle yet diverse portrait of the countrys tormented experience under General Franco. Antonio Cazorla Sanchez, Trent University, Canada Lee's book provides a comprehensive and chronologically-driven narrative of events while also engaging in the comparative study of fascism and comparative dictatorships. It is not all about theory and the conceptual status of 'fascism' and 'communism', and thus is a better introduction for students who may be new to the area of study. Julie V. Gottlieb, University of Sheffield, UK The book's strength is its truly comprehensive overview of the history of dictatorships in twentieth-century Europe, while also providing a theoretical framework for understanding that history. Its rigorous comparative approach helps to make sense of the larger phenomenon. David G. Tompkins, Carleton College, USA My students have found Lee's book to be a superb entree to scholarly understanding of the dictatorships. The book is very accessibly written but does not shy away from complex issues: the historiographic and theoretical discussions shine. I have particularly liked the breadth of Lee's survey and the new edition carries this further, with its separate chapters on Spain and the effect of the dictatorships on the smaller democratic countries around them. Christopher Burton, University of Lethbridge, Canada

This is an excellent, balanced and well-written account of Europes notorious dictators. In particular, the section on Spain presents a subtle yet diverse portrait of the countrys tormented experience under General Franco. Antonio Cazorla Sanchez, Trent University, Canada Lee's book provides a comprehensive and chronologically-driven narrative of events while also engaging in the comparative study of fascism and comparative dictatorships. It is not all about theory and the conceptual status of 'fascism' and 'communism', and thus is a better introduction for students who may be new to the area of study. Julie V. Gottlieb, University of Sheffield, UK The book's strength is its truly comprehensive overview of the history of dictatorships in twentieth-century Europe, while also providing a theoretical framework for understanding that history. Its rigorous comparative approach helps to make sense of the larger phenomenon. David G. Tompkins, Carleton College, USA My students have found Lee's book to be a superb entree to scholarly understanding of the dictatorships. The book is very accessibly written but does not shy away from complex issues: the historiographic and theoretical discussions shine. I have particularly liked the breadth of Lee's survey and the new edition carries this further, with its separate chapters on Spain and the effect of the dictatorships on the smaller democratic countries around them. Christopher Burton, University of Lethbridge, Canada

Author Information

Stephen J. Lee was Head of History at Bromsgrove School in Birmingham, UK. His publications include Russia and the USSR (Routledge, 2005) and Hitler and Nazi Germany, 2nd edition (Routledge, 2008).

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