Stefan Zweig collects fourteen historical moments in which a single day or hour changed the course of events. They include the fall of Constantinople, the discovery of the Pacific by Balboa, the night of Waterloo in which a minor error decided an empire, Handel's recovery of his music, Goethe's last love, Dostoevsky's mock execution, Lenin's sealed train, and Scott's race to the South Pole. Zweig reshapes the facts into short narratives with a dramatic arc.
The book suits readers who like history told as story, and those who want a short, vivid introduction to key turning points. Each miniature stands alone, so it is easy to read in short sittings. Zweig's strong sense of drama makes even well-known events read freshly, though historians should know he favors narrative effect over footnotes.
Outward-looking; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Evidence Seeker. Which reader are you?
- ISBN
- 9788495359926
- Language
- ES
