In terms of major events, the 20th century influences nations, regions, and peoples in profound and all-inclusive ways. It was a century of earth-shaking, contradictory events � great evil, genocide, and destruction on massive scales on the one hand, and, at the same time, inventions, discoveries, and political/social improvements which have improved the lives of billions of people. Most of the inventors and scientists, and, in too many cases, the worst tyrants, were Europeans. The pages within guide the reader on this exciting, often bloody, and yet hope-filled journey. Edgar B. Schick, Ph.D. Arthur Drea has written a compelling and readable primer of the utmost intellectual value to history students and the general public alike for a course in European History of the Twentieth Century. He achieves this desired effect with exactitude and concision, which match his course�s focus on just over one hundred years of causation leading to the contemporary state of European society and economy. Indeed, every tributary stream of events of this social, political, and economic type is seamlessly channeled into the main course of Drea�s explanation and analysis with the flawless timing that characterizes narrative history at its best. Edwin L. Hetfield, Jr., Ph.D.

In terms of major events, the 20th century influences nations, regions, and peoples in profound and all-inclusive ways. It was a century of earth-shaking, contradictory events � great evil, genocide, and destruction on massive scales on the one hand, and, at the same time, inventions, discoveries, and political/social improvements which have improved the lives of billions of people. Most of the inventors and scientists, and, in too many cases, the worst tyrants, were Europeans. The pages within guide the reader on this exciting, often bloody, and yet hope-filled journey. Edgar B. Schick, Ph.D. Arthur Drea has written a compelling and readable primer of the utmost intellectual value to history students and the general public alike for a course in European History of the Twentieth Century. He achieves this desired effect with exactitude and concision, which match his course�s focus on just over one hundred years of causation leading to the contemporary state of European society and economy. Indeed, every tributary stream of events of this social, political, and economic type is seamlessly channeled into the main course of Drea�s explanation and analysis with the flawless timing that characterizes narrative history at its best. Edwin L. Hetfield, Jr., Ph.D.

“War is just a word.” To young Anna that’s all it is, just a word, it’s where Pappa goes to work, until one day, the War comes home. WW II, the world’s most horrific War was on its way and they had no idea of its coming. No one could have foreseen that so much madness would erupt from such a small country, a land of the Fairytales and Legends, nor could they have imagined that their “Fuehrer” Adolf Hitler, whom they had raised to glorious heights, would take them to the depth of hell. Through the horror, amidst the chaos, emerges the story of a family, of Ludwig, his wife Marta and their high spirited young daughter Anna, who wake up one morning, to find their lives threatened by the outbreak of WWII. It takes Ludwig to distant lands, to fight for his Fatherland, while Marta and Anna learn to live with the pangs of hunger. They survive the hell of the air-raids with their falling bombs, only to find survival after the War, as difficult as the War itself. There however were also extraordinary times, who could ever forget the American Soldiers? Though coming as conquerors, their kindness and compassion, soon made them friends, especially to the children, who followed them around like the “Pied Piper.” This is a story of historical reality, whose purpose it is to share part of an era that destroyed so many millions of people, along with an entire Continent.

“War is just a word.” To young Anna that’s all it is, just a word, it’s where Pappa goes to work, until one day, the War comes home. WW II, the world’s most horrific War was on its way and they had no idea of its coming. No one could have foreseen that so much madness would erupt from such a small country, a land of the Fairytales and Legends, nor could they have imagined that their “Fuehrer” Adolf Hitler, whom they had raised to glorious heights, would take them to the depth of hell. Through the horror, amidst the chaos, emerges the story of a family, of Ludwig, his wife Marta and their high spirited young daughter Anna, who wake up one morning, to find their lives threatened by the outbreak of WWII. It takes Ludwig to distant lands, to fight for his Fatherland, while Marta and Anna learn to live with the pangs of hunger. They survive the hell of the air-raids with their falling bombs, only to find survival after the War, as difficult as the War itself. There however were also extraordinary times, who could ever forget the American Soldiers? Though coming as conquerors, their kindness and compassion, soon made them friends, especially to the children, who followed them around like the “Pied Piper.” This is a story of historical reality, whose purpose it is to share part of an era that destroyed so many millions of people, along with an entire Continent.

From Rocks to Riches Time and Change and Ochre in a Village in the Vaucluse Roussillon en Provence! GRAHAM F. PRINGLE AND HILDGUND SCHAEFER Fifty miles north of Marseille and thirty miles east of Avignon lies the village of Roussillon. With its spectacular ochre cliffs, it is one of the most popular tourist villages in the internationally famous region of the Luberon. Fifty years ago, in his Village in the Vaucluse, Laurence Wylie described life in Roussillon at the beginning of the 1950s. At that time, following the collapse of the world’s ochre market after World War II, it had been reduced from the epicenter of a thriving ochre-mining industry that had flourished for more than 150 years to a small, inwardly turned farming community with little contact with the outside world, which it mostly viewed with disdain and hostility. After describing the village’s rise and fall as a mining center, the authors follow its rise to even greater wealth as a tourist village, second-home community, and dormitory town for nearby urban centers—its economy once again based on the ochre that had enriched it before as a mineral to be extracted, but now as a tourist attraction, with Roussillon’s colorful red cliffs and ochre-tinted houses drawing visitors from all over Europe. But this came at a price, and the price was social: the loss of a more intimate way of life, with evenings spent with friends or neighbors, sipping wine and trading gossip. In the new age, those evenings are spent around the family’s television set, vicariously living the lives of others. In a series of interviews in the second half of the book, people who experienced the transformation describe their feelings about the changes, and the relationships that still exist, some strong, some weak, between the old life and the new, and the perceived gains and losses between the two.

From Rocks to Riches Time and Change and Ochre in a Village in the Vaucluse Roussillon en Provence! GRAHAM F. PRINGLE AND HILDGUND SCHAEFER Fifty miles north of Marseille and thirty miles east of Avignon lies the village of Roussillon. With its spectacular ochre cliffs, it is one of the most popular tourist villages in the internationally famous region of the Luberon. Fifty years ago, in his Village in the Vaucluse, Laurence Wylie described life in Roussillon at the beginning of the 1950s. At that time, following the collapse of the world’s ochre market after World War II, it had been reduced from the epicenter of a thriving ochre-mining industry that had flourished for more than 150 years to a small, inwardly turned farming community with little contact with the outside world, which it mostly viewed with disdain and hostility. After describing the village’s rise and fall as a mining center, the authors follow its rise to even greater wealth as a tourist village, second-home community, and dormitory town for nearby urban centers—its economy once again based on the ochre that had enriched it before as a mineral to be extracted, but now as a tourist attraction, with Roussillon’s colorful red cliffs and ochre-tinted houses drawing visitors from all over Europe. But this came at a price, and the price was social: the loss of a more intimate way of life, with evenings spent with friends or neighbors, sipping wine and trading gossip. In the new age, those evenings are spent around the family’s television set, vicariously living the lives of others. In a series of interviews in the second half of the book, people who experienced the transformation describe their feelings about the changes, and the relationships that still exist, some strong, some weak, between the old life and the new, and the perceived gains and losses between the two.

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More than two decades in preparation, Nordic Folklore and Traditions is an extremely erudite and unique international contribution to linguistics (with all its philology from many languages) and to the science of folklore and to popular culture of the northern countries, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Greenland and The Faroes, etc, with ancient and modern "deep roots of custom and belief". Here is the history of and examples of the work of Asbjørnsen & Moe and their followers right up to date. Here are the literary tales and fairytales and folklore all newly translated from original languages by the authors, the characters connected with the farm and the sea, the trolls and other fantastic creatures, magic and sorcery and witchcraft and charms, the whole story of runes (with the Kensington Stone, etc), the sagas and other poetry (with translations), the story and mythology of the Northland. There are a great many well chosen and extraordinary illustrations, literary quotations in both original language and English, and detailed Nordic Glossary and Names as well as other features.

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The book of a well known Azerbaijani historian Yagub Mahmudov “Azerbaijan and Europe” is dedicated to interesting events of history of relations between Azerbaijan and Europe. This book considered for English readership is published in Europe for the first time. Azerbaijan gaining independence in the process of collapse of the Soviet Empire achieved vital successes in establishment of a democratic, legal and worldwide state. Though 20% of lands are under occupation and more than a million refugees in Azerbaijan it is being integrated to European and world union successfully. Azerbaijan Republic at present has become a leader state in Southern Caucasus. Azerbaijan nation has a rich and very old history. Historical Azerbaijan lands have a suitable geographical location and from ancient times our land was the historic place where different civilizations, cultures and religions joined. This country from ancient times had a significant linking role in relations among western and eastern nations. Azerbaijan nation is the successor of a state culture of about 5 thousand years. Powerful states established on historical lands of Azerbaijan had a wide trade and diplomatic relations with some countries of Asia and Europe since many years before our century. The primary sources approve that states of historical Azerbaijan such as Atropathena and Albania had diplomatic relations with the old Roman Empire. As stated in the book presented to readership by Yagub Mahmudov in the Middle Ages the Azerbaijan – European relations became more broadened and entered a new stage. In the times of Great Geographical Discoveries powerful Azerbaijan states – the Akkoyunlu and Safavi Empires about a period of 300 years had deep tracks in worldwide history. Western European states for the purpose to open back front – from Asia tried to use the Akkoyunlu and Safavi Empires. The Akkoyunlu and the Safavis located in the center of the Great Silk Way, were interested in establishment of wide trade relations with European countries. With this purpose Azerbaijani leaders Uzun Hassan (1468-1478), Sultan Yagub (1578-1590), Shah Ismail I(1501-1524), Shah Tahmasib (1524-1576), the Safavi emperor Abbas the Great (1587-1629) and others established wide relations with the European states. It is an interesting fact that beginning from the mid of the XV century Azerbaijani diplomats conducted negotiations with Venice, Rome, Naples, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Russia, England, Spain, Portugal, France, the Scandinavian countries and other European countries. In the 60-70s of the XV century in the palace of the great Azerbaijani leader Uzun Hassan there was a permanent embassy of the Republic of Venice. Mother of Uzun Hassan, a well known diplomat Sara Khatun had a great role in regulation of diplomatic relations with Western countries. Friendship policy of Uzun Hassan with European countries was continued by his son Sultan Yagub, his grandson Shah Ismail I and other Safavi emperors. In the period of the Safavi emperor Shah Abbas’ reign these relations had become much broadened. In his book the historian Yagub Mahmudov has described the real history of this interesting diplomatic relations. The scientist in his work separately explains economic-political interests of the parties being in relation expressing his own subjective idea in this respect. The author brings in such issue his right position to his readers’ notice. This is an irrefutable fact that after historical Azerbaijani lands been divided between Russia and Iran under Gulustan (1813) and Turkmenchay (1828) agreements Azerbaijan history is presented to the world as Russian and Iranian history. The history of the Akkoyunlu and the Safavi empires established by Azerbaijani-Turkish dynasties, even presented as a history of Iran. From this view point the book “Azerbaijan and Europe” published by us is of great importance to develop right idea about Azerbaijani history in European readership. We have no doubt the work by Yagub Mahmudov will be of a great interest for English readership. Because, in the second half of the XVI century in the period of ruling of Spain and Portugal in world waters England in order to establish a direct relation with India sent 6 expeditions to Azerbaijan. In his work very interesting information is given about each of these expeditions, their visit to Azerbaijan, and their negotiations with the Safavi emperors. The book “Azerbaijan and Europe” by Yagub Mahmudov proves that the European countries and Great Britain had old and rich historical relations with Azerbaijan. This book, beyond all doubt, will not only be of great importance for wide mass of readership but also for politicians and diplomats.

The book of a well known Azerbaijani historian Yagub Mahmudov “Azerbaijan and Europe” is dedicated to interesting events of history of relations between Azerbaijan and Europe. This book considered for English readership is published in Europe for the first time. Azerbaijan gaining independence in the process of collapse of the Soviet Empire achieved vital successes in establishment of a democratic, legal and worldwide state. Though 20% of lands are under occupation and more than a million refugees in Azerbaijan it is being integrated to European and world union successfully. Azerbaijan Republic at present has become a leader state in Southern Caucasus. Azerbaijan nation has a rich and very old history. Historical Azerbaijan lands have a suitable geographical location and from ancient times our land was the historic place where different civilizations, cultures and religions joined. This country from ancient times had a significant linking role in relations among western and eastern nations. Azerbaijan nation is the successor of a state culture of about 5 thousand years. Powerful states established on historical lands of Azerbaijan had a wide trade and diplomatic relations with some countries of Asia and Europe since many years before our century. The primary sources approve that states of historical Azerbaijan such as Atropathena and Albania had diplomatic relations with the old Roman Empire. As stated in the book presented to readership by Yagub Mahmudov in the Middle Ages the Azerbaijan – European relations became more broadened and entered a new stage. In the times of Great Geographical Discoveries powerful Azerbaijan states – the Akkoyunlu and Safavi Empires about a period of 300 years had deep tracks in worldwide history. Western European states for the purpose to open back front – from Asia tried to use the Akkoyunlu and Safavi Empires. The Akkoyunlu and the Safavis located in the center of the Great Silk Way, were interested in establishment of wide trade relations with European countries. With this purpose Azerbaijani leaders Uzun Hassan (1468-1478), Sultan Yagub (1578-1590), Shah Ismail I(1501-1524), Shah Tahmasib (1524-1576), the Safavi emperor Abbas the Great (1587-1629) and others established wide relations with the European states. It is an interesting fact that beginning from the mid of the XV century Azerbaijani diplomats conducted negotiations with Venice, Rome, Naples, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Russia, England, Spain, Portugal, France, the Scandinavian countries and other European countries. In the 60-70s of the XV century in the palace of the great Azerbaijani leader Uzun Hassan there was a permanent embassy of the Republic of Venice. Mother of Uzun Hassan, a well known diplomat Sara Khatun had a great role in regulation of diplomatic relations with Western countries. Friendship policy of Uzun Hassan with European countries was continued by his son Sultan Yagub, his grandson Shah Ismail I and other Safavi emperors. In the period of the Safavi emperor Shah Abbas’ reign these relations had become much broadened. In his book the historian Yagub Mahmudov has described the real history of this interesting diplomatic relations. The scientist in his work separately explains economic-political interests of the parties being in relation expressing his own subjective idea in this respect. The author brings in such issue his right position to his readers’ notice. This is an irrefutable fact that after historical Azerbaijani lands been divided between Russia and Iran under Gulustan (1813) and Turkmenchay (1828) agreements Azerbaijan history is presented to the world as Russian and Iranian history. The history of the Akkoyunlu and the Safavi empires established by Azerbaijani-Turkish dynasties, even presented as a history of Iran. From this view point the book “Azerbaijan and Europe” published by us is of great importance to develop right idea about Azerbaijani history in European readership. We have no doubt the work by Yagub Mahmudov will be of a great interest for English readership. Because, in the second half of the XVI century in the period of ruling of Spain and Portugal in world waters England in order to establish a direct relation with India sent 6 expeditions to Azerbaijan. In his work very interesting information is given about each of these expeditions, their visit to Azerbaijan, and their negotiations with the Safavi emperors. The book “Azerbaijan and Europe” by Yagub Mahmudov proves that the European countries and Great Britain had old and rich historical relations with Azerbaijan. This book, beyond all doubt, will not only be of great importance for wide mass of readership but also for politicians and diplomats.