Mary Platt Parmele (1843–1911)

This brief account of Germany's history was first published in 1897. The first few thousand years are skipped over quite quickly, partly through lack of knowledge for times BC and just after, but mainly because the author's intention was to focus on the most important events.

Mary Platt Parmele's writing style proves easy to digest. My only criticism is her overuse of exclamation points, most of which are unnecessary and make some sentences look childish. Below is an example of unneeded exclamation points in two consecutive sentences:

"It was not to be expected that Richelieu, who had been putting down Protestantism with an iron hand in France, would feel sympathy for the Protestant cause in Germany! But that wary primate and minister was not going to stand on a little matter of religion, when he saw an advantage to be gained for France!"

But apart from the above, I do like the author's style in general.

During the time that this history was written, the German emperor was none other than Queen Victoria's grandson; the kaiser involved with World War One. The author felt it inappropriate to write about him while he lived, but she makes a general observation, which I found interesting, knowing what was to come:

"Whether he has the intelligence and the wisdom required to control, unaided, the forces at home, or to guide his bark amid the whirl of European currents, later histories will tell."… (mais)

First published in 1894, this short volume skims the primitive years before noting the most important events from the Middle Ages, up until the 1870s.This is an ideal read if you just want to know the basics of France's past.

It may appear on the surface as a reference book, but that it is not. Although the author covers the most important events, she rarely notes specific dates or even just the year something happened. I don't think this matters as anyone wanting to find out the intricate details can seek them out elsewhere.

Here's a quote that I found rather prophetic:

"There is no longer thought of conflict between any two nations of Europe. The next war is to be one of tremendous combinations. National alliances are shifting and uncertain. But at the time this is written (1894) Germany, Austria, and Italy are drawn together in one hostile camp, while France and Russia, in loving embrace, stand in the other; and England, aloof and suspicious, holds herself ready to hurl her weight against whichever one obstructs her path to India."

On the whole this is a well-written, concise historical account of France.… (mais)