Europe

An Economy Geared to War

Richard Overy argues that the lesson Hitler Drew from 1914-18 was not that a major war should be avoided, but that Germany should prepare more systematically so that, next time, she would win.

The Thirty Years' War

Graham Darby examines the nature and effects of the war that dominated the first half of the 17th century.

Partisan Memories

Stuart Hood recalls his involvement with the Italian partisans in 1943-44, and is surprised by the way events in which he participated are memorialised.

The Poisons Affair

Reggie Oliver looks at the links between some of the highest-placed women in Louis XIV's court and some notorious Parisian dealers in drugs, death and the dark arts

Low and the Dictators

Timothy Benson assesses Hitler's irritated reaction to being lampooned by David Low of the Evening Standard.