Europe has been an incredibly successful continent for two millennia. In this amazing new book, Simon Jenkins tells the story of its evolution from a battlefield of warring tribes to a space of peace, wealth, and freedom - a story that begins in ancient Greece and Rome, passes through the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the French Revolution, reaches the two World Wars, and culminates in the present day. Jenkins refers to various personalities, from Julius Caesar and Jeanne d'Arc to Wellington and Angela Merkel, and from Aristotle to Shakespeare and Picasso. He focuses on various topics, from youthful ambitions and religious conflicts to geographical constraints and invasions, and ties them all together in a chronological narrative, full of authority but also personal color. Europe, despite continuous upheavals, has left an indelible mark on the world. How did such a small continent become so powerful? How did all these peninsulas and islands develop collective consciousness over time? How often did diplomacy end in bloodshed and what are the consequences of this today? Despite its significant position in politics, economy, and culture, there has not yet been a concise book written to tell its story. The portrait that Jenkins outlines could not be more timely - or more masterful.