Category: #History

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History of the Netherlands

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A Captivating Guide to Ancient Germanic and Celtic Tribes, the Eighty Years’ War, the Dutch Empire and Republic, and Modern Times (European Countries)

A small country with a big heart and an incredible history!

The History of the Netherlands will guide you through the formation of a truly dynamic and diverse European nation. It is the rich and colorful story of how a collection of low-lying states aligned and bonded while others fell away.

Find out how the people of this country fought against nature to cultivate land below sea level. Discover how they survived wars, invasions, and natural disasters and developed a trading nation that would become the envy of Europe. Uncover the truth behind bloody battles fought between medieval royalty, warlords, and rebellious guilds of Dutch workers, all of which shaped the country we know today.

Learn about the path to the Northern Renaissance, a glorious time of innovative scientific developments, philosophical enlightenment, and some of the most beautiful paintings the world has seen. Explore the religious awakening that took root in the Netherlands that split the Christian Church forever.

Discover remarkable leaders, inspiring stories of human resourcefulness, and cautionary tales of spectacular downfalls. Read how a nation of craftsmen and traders founded a glittering empire and laid claim to exotic lands that brought fantastic wealth, riches, and international status despite being built on one of the most appalling practices in history.

The History of the Netherlands will take you on a journey through the ages and reveal some of the following:

  • How people in the Stone Age flourished in a land without stone;
  • Why the Romans met their match when they came against northern tribes;
  • How a holy miracle became the making of Amsterdam;
  • The technique for pickling fish that became a game changer in the 14th century;
  • How the medieval powers of France, Spain, and Britain fought alongside and against Dutch armies as they battled for European supremacy;
  • How the world watched as Dutch investors speculated on flower bulbs and were left bankrupt and destitute when the market collapsed;
  • The far-reaching consequences of Napoleon’s and Hitler’s invasions;
  • And so much more!

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Posted in #History

History of Poland

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A Captivating Guide to Polish History (European Countries)

If you want to discover the captivating history of Poland, then keep reading…

Poland, a modern state in the very center of Europe, used to be a battlefield of many nations. Throughout its history, Poland had to fight for its independence—for its very existence. This Captivating Guide to Polish History will get you acquainted with the country that is probably most overlooked in historical studies. Sure, everyone knows the Second World War started with the Nazi occupation of Poland, but the country is old and very rich in events, great kings, ruling nobles, and defining culture.

Among the pages of the History of Poland, you will find answers to questions such as:

  • When did the Slavs first settle in central Europe?
  • Who united the Slavic tribes and founded the medieval Polish kingdom?
  • How did Poland develop during the Piast period?
  • How was the kingdom divided among brothers?
  • How did distinguished individuals try to reunite Poland, and how did they fail?
  • Who was Władysław I Łokietek, and why did he succeed in reuniting the kingdom?
  • What was the rule of Casimir III the Great like?
  • Why was a Lithuanian grand duke chosen to rule Poland?
  • Who were the Jagiellonians that united Poland and Lithuania?
  • How did the European revolutions and Napoleon Bonaparte influence Poland?
  • Why did Germany, Russia, and Austria decide to destroy Poland?
  • How did the people and their Polishness survive the partitioning period?
  • Why did Poland gain and lose independence during the interwar period?
  • Why did Hitler start the Second World War by occupying Poland?
  • How was life in Nazi-occupied Poland, and how was the Holocaust executed?
  • Who were the leaders of the Polish government-in-exile?
  • What happened to Poland after the war?
  • What was life like in the Eastern Block?
  • How did Poland rise to be a democratic and free country?
  • When did Poland join the European Union?
  • And many more!

There are so many interesting facts and pieces of information in this Captivating Guide to Polish History.

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I’m a Mom, a Grandmom, and a Veteran. Nothing scares me! That’s the saying on my favorite T Shirt. I’m enjoying life too much to let the little things slow me down. If you can’t tell from my Avatar, I live in Florida where I enjoy the sunshine and endure the hurricanes with good grace. Sometimes you have to take the bad with the good!

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History of Greece

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A Captivating Guide to Greek History, Starting from the Bronze Age in Ancient Greece Through the Classical and Hellenistic Period to the Modern Era (European Countries)

What do you know about Greek history?

The ancient Greeks loom large in legend and lore. In ancient myth, names such as Hercules, Achilles, and Prometheus scream out to us from the primordial past. Who are these strange, mysterious figures? More importantly, who were they to the Greeks? Greek mythology provides a key to Greek culture itself.

The Greeks always valued noble virtues such as courage and strength, which was reflected in their ancient mythologies. And these same strains of character can be seen interwoven throughout Greek history itself. Even when the chips were down, the Greeks stood strong against insurmountable odds.

The Greeks battled Persians, Macedonians, Romans, and Ottomans. They didn’t always win the wars on the battlefield. However, they almost always won over the hearts and minds of the conquered and conquerors alike. Greek culture was incredibly strong. It spread across the world like a valued commodity by anyone who came into contact with it.

Greek arts, philosophy, science, and political discourse were a true gift to the world. In this book, you will explore the ancient Greeks, the Byzantine Empire, and the Greek War of Independence. It also discusses the Megali Idea, the military junta, and modern-day governance. This book covers Greek history from start to finish.

In this book, you will learn more about:

  • Ancient Greek mythology
  • The rise of Greek city-states and democracy
  • Ancient Greek warfare
  • Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic era
  • Greco-Roman culture
  • The Byzantine Empire
  • Greece under Ottoman rule
  • Greek independence
  • 20th-century Greece
  • Modern Greece
  • And more!

History, #Reviews, #WorldHistory,

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History of Portugal

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A Captivating Guide to Portuguese History from Ancient Times to the Present (European Countries)

Did you know modern-day Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is the first European city built with seismic safety in mind?

And there is a very good reason for that! In 1755, Portugal was hit by an earthquake that would measure nine on the future Richter scale.

Portugal, which is located in the Iberian Peninsula, has a rich history that dates to prehistoric times. The first settlers left amazing art behind in the form of rock carvings and rock monoliths. These first peoples never left their country but were integrated into the many societies that came to Portugal over time. There were Phoenician traders, Romans, Germanic tribes, Muslims from North Africa, and Hispanic peoples. This mix of ethnicities resulted in a unique language and culture of the medieval Kingdom of Portugal. One might even say it influenced the modern-day Portuguese Republic as well.

Portugal is probably best known for exploring the world during the Age of Discovery. However, the history of mainland Portugal is rarely described outside of the country. The Age of Discovery is only briefly touched upon for this reason. There are many other fascinating things to talk about instead. These topics might be lesser known to readers. This book aims to familiarize English speakers. It presents the events and personas that built the Portuguese kingdom. It also highlights its overseas empire and the state that Portugal is today.

Instead of presenting dry facts, the book’s pages include interesting facts. They also contain historical events that are little known to the world outside of Portugal itself. In this book, you will learn:

  • Who were the first people that inhabited the Iberian Peninsula?
  • What was the early culture and religion of the peninsula?
  • Which civilization first discovered the shores of Portugal?
  • How did trade with the Phoenicians develop the culture of the indigenous people?
  • How did the Carthaginian and Roman wars shape the Iberian Peninsula?
  • Why did the Germanic tribes invade the peninsula?
  • Did the Iberian Peninsula thrive under Islamic rule?
  • Why did the Christian kings of the north launch the Iberian Reconquista?
  • How did Afonso I form the medieval Kingdom of Portugal?
  • How did the House of Avis rise to power and start the golden age of Portugal?
  • Why has Portugal always struggled to preserve its independence?
  • What role did the House of Braganza play in the restoration of Portuguese independence?
  • How did the empire end, and how did Portugal become a republic?

History, #Reviews, #WorldHistory,

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History of Hungary

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A Captivating Guide to Hungarian History, Starting from the Roman Empire through the Magyar Tribes, Austro-Hungarian Empire and Hungarian … to the Present (European Countries)

Did you know that at one point in history, Hungary was considered one of the greatest powers in Europe?

Hungary is more than just vampire stories and cheesy violin-playing waiters named “Laszlo.” It has a rich history that goes back to the first wild Magyar horsemen, who arrived there in the late 9th century. For a time, the Magyars were both mercenaries and raiders, a horse-bound version of the Vikings in France and Britain. They terrorized the populations of Austria, Germany, and even Italy and eastern France.

Since the time of the Magyars, Hungary has been an important crossroads of goods, ideas, and armies. For a considerable time, about two-thirds of Hungary was controlled by the Ottoman Empire and the Austrian Empire, and that occupation had a serious economic, military, and cultural impact on the country.

In 1867, in response to the growing power of Prussia (the German-speaking state around which modern Germany was formed) and Russia, the Austrian Habsburg emperor offered its very independent-minded province of Hungary an “equal share” of the empire. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was born.

After the Austro-Hungarian defeat in WWI, Hungary became an independent nation. Unfortunately, its location makes it prey to the larger powers in the area, and during WWII, Hungary allied with Hitler. Following the Soviet invasion during the war, Hungary became a hardline communist state under Soviet control.

The story of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution is a sad one, but in 1989, Hungary broke free from Soviet/Russian influence. Since that time, the country has attempted to walk a fine line between the West and the East.

Inside Captivating History’s History of Hungary, you’ll discover:

  • The nomadic clans of the Magyar people who moved from central Asia into the areas we call Hungary today and its surroundings
  • How the Magyars rapidly changed from a semi-nomadic tribal organization, who terrified the people so much that some prayed to God to relieve them of the “curse of the Magyars” in much the same way that Western monks prayed from relief from the Vikings, to a settled Christian kingdom in the early 1000s.
  • That the first king of a unified Hungary is now the patron saint of the nation, Saint Stephen.
  • That despite his “saintliness,” Stephen often tortured his enemies and had their eyes gouged out
  • The story of Matthias I, known as the “Raven King” or “Matthias Corvinus” for his symbol and his belief that his family had Roman roots in the aristocrat Corvinii family of ancient Rome.
  • The dark day of August 29th, 1526, when the Hungarians were defeated by the Ottomans at Mohács, which changed Hungarian history forever.
  • How the Austro-Hungarian Empire began
  • Hungary’s part in WWI, WWII, and the Holocaust
  • The revolt of 1956
  • The end of communism in 1989

History, #Reviews, #WorldHistory,

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I’m a Mom, a Grandmom, and a Veteran. Nothing scares me! That’s the saying on my favorite T Shirt. I’m enjoying life too much to let the little things slow me down. If you can’t tell from my Avatar, I live in Florida where I enjoy the sunshine and endure the hurricanes with good grace. Sometimes you have to take the bad with the good!

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