Book Summaries

France     Prussia/Germany     Austria/Italy     Russia     Overall Europe     Great War    

	Story of Napoleon   by H. E. Marshall This book tells the story of Napoleon, one of the most outstanding characters in European history, at a level appropriate for grammar and middle school students. Napoleon was a young Corsican officer at the time of the French Revolution. He distinguished himself first in the French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1798) and by 1804 had established himself as the undisputed head of France and crowned himself emperor. During the following decade he brought all of Europe under his power before losing everything after his disastrous march on Russia. He remains one of the most controversial characters of history. [35 sheets]
	Belgian Twins   by L. F. Perkins As the Germans invade Belgium, 9 year old twins Jan and Marie experience the horrors of the First World War. Separated from their mother and father after a bombing raid, the children meet with much danger as they search for their missing parents. In the course of their search they assist a family of refugees, and are themselves sent as refugees out of the country before being reunited with their family. [49 sheets]
	French Twins   by L. F. Perkins In the threatening atmosphere of the first world war, 9 year-old twins Pierre and Pierette brave the dangers of the German invasion in their home town of Rheims. In the midst of daily bombing from the Germans, they carry on their daily activities to the best of their abilities. When the danger grows too great, they flee with their parents to a safer village where they meet with American soldiers. [51 sheets]
	Story of Modern France   by H. A. Guerber This comprehensive history of France from the years leading up to the French Revolution to the years immediately before World War I gives an excellent overview of one of the most dramatic and turbulent centuries in European history. Beginning with the corrupt and extravagant reign of Louis XV, much of the book focuses on the turbulent period from the events leading up to the French Revolution to Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo. The final third of the book covers the Restoration, the second Empire under Napoleon III, and the Third Republic formed after the devastating Franco-Prussian war. [142 sheets]
	Stories of the French Revolution   by Walter Montgomery This beautifully illustrated book, published on the anniversary of the reign of Terror in France, is an excellent middle school introduction to the drama of the French Revolution. The story is told in enough depth to be of abiding interest, but focus is mostly on the dramatic events of the era, without too much reflection on the confusing politics of the situation. [112 sheets]
	Story of the French Revolution   by Alice Birkhead This book recounts the story of the French Revolution from a point of view that is generally sympathetic to the aims of the Revolution. Fascinating stories of the revolution detailed in this volume include the September massacres, the reign of terror, and insights into the lives of Rousseau, Mirabeau, Madame Roland, Robespierre, Charlotte Corday, Marie Antoinette, and the unfortunate Dauphin, Louis XVII. The story ends with the rise of Napoleon. [112 sheets]
	Marie Antoinette   by Alice Birkhead Marie Antoinette was one of the most tragic figures of the French revolution. This biography traces her life from her frivolous youth through the terrors and trials of the revolution, and finally to her stoic and courageous death on the scaffold. [58 sheets]
	Lafayette for Young Americans   by Rupert Holland The book follows the fascinating career of the Marquis de Lafayette from his youth in France through the years of his heroic service to Washington during the Revolutionary Wars to his ill-fated service of the Revolutionary cause in France. The story of Lafayette's life provides a fascinating juxtaposition between the successful and laudatory American revolution, and the far more blood-thirsty French revolution. The author does an excellent job of presenting complicated political events in terms comprehensible to middle school aged students. [103 sheets]
	The Little Dauphin   by George P. Upton The protagonist of this book is Louis XVII, son of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, both of whom died during the reign of terror. Although legally king of France after the execution of his father, the seven-year-old boy was taken from his family and kept prisoner for three years, during which time he was tortured, beaten and abused. His story, told with as much restraint as possible, provides a dramatic and pathetic insight into the cruelties and viciousness of the French revolution. [46 sheets]
	Eugenie - Empress of France   by George P. Upton The story of Napoleon III Emperor of France from 1852 to 1870 is well told through the life story of Eugenie, his Empress, whom he married for love, rather than political connections. Although their 20 year reign included many triumphs, it ended disastrously as a result the Franco-Prussian War. Eugenie outlived her husband by nearly 50 years and saw France through a difficult and tumultuous half-century. [50 sheets]
	Maximilian in Mexico   by George P. Upton The tragic story of Maximilian of Mexico is one of political opportunism and rank treachery. Maximilian and his lovely wife Carlotta, who were pampered European royalty, were in no way prepared for the back-stabbing treachery from both Mexicans and Europeans which confronted them when they accepted the crown of the Mexico. [42 sheets]
	Historical Tales - French   by Charles Morris Some of the most romantic stories of France, beginning with the Visigoth repulsion of the Huns at Chalons, and ending with the Franco Prussian War, are recounted by an outstanding storyteller. This collection of entertaining stories was written especially to appeal to young adults. Familiar characters such as Charlemagne and Joan of Arc are introduced, but so are lesser known characters such as Bayard, Charles the Bold, and the Duke of Bourbon. [136 sheets]
	Story of Napoleon   by H. F. B. Wheeler Napoleon is one of the most fascinating characters of all time, not only because of his tremendous military achievements but because of his many strategic insights into human nature, government, and geopolitics. He rocked all of Europe not only with his armies but with his visions of a secular and "enlightened" government. This story of his life recounts his military achievements in detail and gives some insight into his motivations and character. [141 sheets]
	Madame Roland   by J. S. C. Abbott Madame Roland was one of the most fascinating characters of the French Revolution. Born into relative poverty, Marie Roland was a brilliant intellectual who married into a noble family. Her husband was a minister of the Revolutionary government during the early years of the French Revolution, and she became secretary and behind-the-scenes mastermind of the Girondist party. Although the Girondists thoroughly supported the revolution, their criticism of the outrages of some of the lawless revolutionaries earned them the enmity of the increasingly radical Jacobin party, and Marie Roland died on the scaffold during the reign of terror. [86 sheets]
	Hortense   by J. S. C. Abbott Hortense de Beauharnais was the daughter of Josephine, the sister-in-law of Napoleon and the mother of Napoleon III. Her life story, therefore spans the era from the French Revolution, throughout the Napoleonic Wars, and the tumultuous years of the first French Republic, and provides insight into both the political developments of the age, and also into the domestic relationships within the extended Bonaparte family. [114 sheets]
	Josephine   by J. S. C. Abbott Josephine was a French aristocrat who was widowed by the French Revolution, but her fortunes turned once more when she married an ambitious young officer in the Revolutionary army, Napoleon Bonaparte. The story of the rise of Napoleon from obscurity to the emperor of the French and the master of Europe is told with great insight from the point of view of his closest advisor and confidant. [94 sheets]
	Louis Philippe   by J. S. C. Abbott Louis Philippe was the son of the Duke of Orleans, the wealthy and liberal aristocrat who joined his fortunes with the commoners during the French Revolution only to lose his head during the Reign of Terror. His son spent much of the next twenty years in exile and, after his cousin Charles X was deposed during the Revolution of 1830, was crowned King of France. Louis Philippe ruled as a liberal constitutional monarch and tried to help modernize the country, but even he could not satisfy the republican ambitions of the French radicals. He was deposed in 1848. [113 sheets]

	Stories from Wagner   by C. E. Smith The story of three of Wagner's most famous operas are beautifully retold in a simple and romantic fashion that is accessible even to grammar school age children. There are three stories altogether. Lohengrin is about a sorceress who casts a spell on a prince of Belgium in the days of Henry the Fowler. The Mastersingers of Nuremberg is a romance about a singer who wins the heart of a Nuremberg maiden, and the Flying Dutchman is about a merchant under the spell of the seas. [37 sheets]
	Frederick the Great   by George P. Upton This book focuses mainly on the event-filled Seven Years War, rather than the full life of Frederick the Great. It is an excellent companion book to Theresa Maria of Austria, which covers many of the same events from the Austrian, rather than the Prussian point of view. [50 sheets]
	Louise - Queen of Prussia   by George P. Upton Louise, Queen of Prussia is one of the most heroic figures of the Napoleonic war era. She rallied the country to resist Napoleon and did everything in her power to maintain Prussian rights under the tyrannical regime of Napoleon. Her son William I became the first Emperor of Germany. [39 sheets]
	Emperor William First   by George P. Upton This biography of William the First, the first Kaiser of Germany, was written before the First World War, and in retrospect appears fawning toward its subject. At the time it was written however, Prussia was greatly admired throughout much of the west for its progressive, secular achievements, and the Emperor was highly regarded. [40 sheets]
	Baron Munchausen   by R. E. Raspe Baron Munchenhausen is notable as one of the most notorious liars of the 19th century and this book recounts his highly unlikely stories of adventure and escapes. The Baron himself was a German soldier, who fought in the Russian-Turkish Wars, but his only claim to fame was his notorious propensity for exaggeration and outright fabrication in recounting his exploits therein. He is credited with coining the term 'bootstrap', by way of explaining how he escaped from a swamp (by pulling himself out by his own bootstrap). [56 sheets]
	Undine   by George P. Upton This famous German romance is based on 18th century story of a water spirit who marries a human in order become mortal. It is full of mischief, treachery, and drama. It was made into a very popular Opera by Hoffman and was emblematic of the 19th century rebirth of German romantic culture. [46 sheets]
	Historical Tales - German   by Charles Morris This selection of stories from German history span from the era of the Roman Empire to the foundation of the German republic in the late 19th century. Instead of a comprehensive history, the author has rewritten some of the most entertaining episode in a manner especially interesting to young adults. Familiar characters such as Frederick the Great, and Luther are introduced, but so are more obscure characters such as Wittekind, Ziska, and Wallenstein. [134 sheets]
	History of Prussia   by J. S. C. Abbott The book provides a fascinating account of the rise of the Prussian Empire, written while Prussia was at the height of her influence. The first section examines the early years of Prussia, from its rise from a minor duchy to a major European power under Frederick the Great, to its struggles with France during the Napoleonic era. Most of the book however, is dedicated to the formation of the German Empire under Bismarck, a series of events which made Prussia the predominant power in Europe. It ends with a detailed description of the Franco-Prussian war and the calamity of the Paris Commune, which occurred only a year before the book was published. [156 sheets]
	Two German Giants—Frederick and Bismarck   by John Lord These portraits of Frederick the Great and Otto Von Bismarck, the two great architects of the Prussian empire, were written by a Christian who was able to identify the spiritual abyss at the heart of Prussian nationalism. He cannot help but admire the courage and brilliance of these leaders while remaining skeptical that German pragmatism, so admired by western leaders of the 19th century, was at heart atheistic. A fawning essay, written a contemporary admirer of Bismarck, and a well-known speech Bismarck gave to the Reichstag provide additional perspectives. [156 sheets]
	Bismarck and the German Empire   by J. W. Headlam This biography of Bismarck focuses mainly on his life as a brilliant statesmen who laid the foundations of the German empire. Bismarck is best known for his keen judgment regarding foreign relations. By cleverly manipulating foreign governments, he was able to set his rivals against each other, prevent alliances that would stand against Prussia, and provoke his enemies to undertake foolish campaigns. He oversaw the rise of the German nation to the foremost position in Europe, and laid the foundation for German military dominance in Europe. [189 sheets]

	Maria Theresa of Austria   by George P. Upton Maria Theresa was Archduchess of Austria for forty years, spanning much of the 18th century. The Austrian Empire was large and diverse, and Austria was surrounded on all sides by dangerous foes, most significantly Frederick the Great of Prussia who spent much of his career expanding the borders of Prussia at the expense of Austria. This book draws a sympathetic portrait of one of the most interesting and powerful women in European history. [43 sheets]
	Elizabeth - Empress of Austria   by George P. Upton Elizabeth of Austria was an romantic heroine of the 19th century rather than an important political personage. Beautiful and well educated, she distained court life, and spent much of her life traveling. Although graced with every advantage, her personal life was filled with disappointments and tragedies including the suicide of her son, the crown prince, and her own tragic assassination. [48 sheets]
	Joseph Haydn   by George P. Upton Haydn was one of the most important and original composers of the 18th century. He was also a close friend of Mozart and a teacher of Beethoven. He lived an exemplary life and was one of the most popular composers in all of Europe. [57 sheets]
	Mozart's Youth   by George P. Upton This story tells only of the youth of Mozart, who already at fifteen was considered a genius and protégé. The emphasis is on his early experiences and character formation rather than his short but brilliant career. [36 sheets]
	Life of Pius X   by F.A. Forbes Pius the tenth, born Giuseppe Sarto in a small town in Italy, was pope during the early years of the 20th century. He was a staunch supporter of traditional Catholic dogma against the surging tide of secular modernism, and his personal piety was a great inspiration to those around him. [75 sheets]
	Garibaldi and his Red Shirts   by F. J. Snell Garibaldi is one of the most interesting of the characters involved in the wars of Italian Unification. He was an extreme radical and violently anti-Catholic, but idealistic and selfless in his efforts; always willing to risk his own life and property while accepting no reward or position for his services. He was a warrior rather than a statesman, and this biography follows his military career in detail. The politics involved in the Unification of Italy were exceedingly complicated so the episodes of treachery, shifting alliances, secret missions, and geo-political struggles may be difficult to follow without a previous introduction to the period, but his military campaigns are of great interest themselves. [75 sheets]

	When I was a Boy in Russia   by Vladimir de Bogory Mokrievitch This book tells the fascinating story of how a young nobleman of great promise, growing up in 19th century Russia, became attracted to the revolutionary ideas popular among the upper classes of Old Russia. He tells of his involvement in early revolutionary movements, and of his disillusionment, arrest, imprisonment and escape to the west. This book was written shortly before the communist takeover, so give a wonderful portrayal of pre-revolutionary Russia. It is written at a very easy-to-read level, but very absorbing for older students as well. [47 sheets]
	The Story of Russia   by Robert Van Bergen This book gives the history of the Russian Slavs from the time of Rurik the Viking to the years immediately before the Russian Revolution. The first half of the book tells the early history of the Slavs who inhabited trading villages along the Volga and Don rivers, as they converted to Christianity and formed the kingdom of Russia. The second half focuses on modern Russia, from the age of Peter the Great to the last of the Tsars. After Peter and his successors brought Russia into the modern world it become a great world power, but by the end of the 19th century, she was on the brink of revolution. [111 sheets]
	When the Prussians Came to Poland   by Laura de Gozdawa Turczynowicz This first person account of a American woman trapped in occupied Poland during the early years of the First World War gives a moving and chilling account of the atrocities perpetrated by the Prussian army. The arrogance of the Germans toward "inferior" races was tempered by the fact that the author claimed American citizenship, yet her sympathies were always with the oppressed Poles and Russians who were considered an inferior breed and brutally mistreated. [88 sheets]
	Historical Tales - Russian   by Charles Morris This collection of stories from Poland and Russia begin with the Scythians, thought to be the predecessors of the Slavs, to the years immediately preceding the Russian Revolution. The stories of the earliest governors of Novgorod and the principality of Moscow are given, and the complete tale of Russia's rise from obscurity to one of the most powerful empires on the globe. [136 sheets]
	Peter the Great   by Jacob Abbott By sheer force of will, Peter the Great single-handedly imposed modernization on a highly resistant Russia. He overcame foes from within his country, including his sister Sophia, whom the anti-modernist forces favored for the throne. He overcame Charles XII of Sweden, his great rival for control of the Baltic, in spite of overwhelming defeats. He considered his son Alexis unworthy of the throne and had him killed rather than trust his kingdom to a libertine. [106 sheets]
	I Speak for the Silent Prisoners of the Soviets   by Vladimir Tchernavin This deeply moving, and frightfully truthful book about the horrors of Soviet communism was written by one of the early victims of Stalin's Reign of Terror. The author was a Russian scientist who escaped from a labor-prison in Northern Russia and lived to tell the truth about the Soviet system. His story provides a horrifying portrait of a totalitarian state with no regard for human rights or dignity, but it was dismissed as "anti-Soviet propaganda" by many western apologists for socialism when it was first published in 1934. [179 sheets]
	Escape from the Soviets   by Tatiana Tchernavin This book was written by the wife of a scientist who was imprisoned by the Soviet government. The first part of the book tells of her ordeal as both she and her husband are arrested, interrogated, and imprisoned, for no apparent reason. The second part tells of her daring escape with her husband and son from a Soviet prison camp north of the Arctic circle through the desolate wilderness of Northern Russia. It is a deeply moving, personal, and frightening account of a brutal, senseless, and utterly tyrannical government. [136 sheets]

	Famous Men of Modern Times   by J.H. Haaren Biographical sketches of thirty-three of the most famous characters from the age of the Renaissance in Europe to the late nineteenth century. Included are well-known greats such as Charles V, Solyman the Magnificent, Drake, Raleigh, Richelieu, Louis XIV, Newton, Peter the Great, Washington, Pitt, and Napoleon as well as many others. [119 sheets]
	Struggle for Sea Power   by M.B. Synge Book IV of the Story of the World series. Focuses on the age of empire and world colonization. The histories of European colonies in America, Australia, South Africa, and India are related. Also covered are the Revolution in America, the French Revolution, and campaigns of Napoleon. [93 sheets]
	Growth of the British Empire   by M.B. Synge Book V of the Story of the World Series. Treats the revolutions in South America and Mexico, the Boer War in South Africa, and the exploration of Central Africa, the Greek and Italian wars for independence, the Crimean War, the American Civil War, the opening of trade with Japan and China, and the rebellion in India. [94 sheets]
	Heroes of Modern Europe   by Alice Birkhead The author recounts the lives of two dozen of the most prominent men of Europe with special emphasis on their role in the conflict between the Church and state. The lives of Dante, Luther, Charles V, Henry of Navarre, Peter the Great, Voltaire, Frederick the Great, Napoleon and Garibaldi are given along with other, from a generally progressive point of view. [102 sheets]
	Church History: Later Modern Times   by Sister Notre Dame This fifth book of a five volume Church History covers the 18th and 19th centuries, and covers the trials of the church in the modern age. The rise of statist governments, who seek control of church property and influence, even while adhering to nominal Christianity was the challenge of the post-enlightenment age. These centuries saw both triumph and disaster for the universal church, and the rise of a number of notable popes. [62 sheets]
	Boy's Book of Battles   by Eric Wood This book focuses on the military exploits of dozens of the most important battles in world history. Although a brief overview of the political issues involved is usually given , the main focus is on the daring deeds, strategies, and exploits of the battles themselves. Many critical battles from world history are given, including Marathon, Tours, Agincourt, and the Armada, but the book also strongly emphasizes 19th century battles, including Waterloo, Trafalgar, Balaclava, Palermo, Gettysburg, and Koniggratz. [151 sheets]
	Story Lives of the Great Scientists   by F. J. Rowbotham The life stories of sixteen of the world's most famous scientists are given, beginning with Francis Bacon, and ending with Madame Curie. Other scientist biographies include Galileo, Isaac Newton, Humphrey Davy, Michael Faraday, Charles Darwin, Louis Pasteur, Lord Kelvin, Lord Lister, and several others. [98 sheets]
	Children's Stories of the Great Scientists   by Henrietta Wright This book contains sixteen stories of some of the most important scientists in history, focusing mainly on the 18th and 19th centuries. The life stories of the scientists are given along with an explanation of the significance of their contributions. Featured scientists include Galileo, Kepler, Linnaeus, Rumford, Davy, Faraday, Lyell, Tyndall and Darwin. [98 sheets]
	Nations of Europe and the Great War   by Charles Morris This book covers all the major developments of 19th century European history with the intention of explaining how international conflicts set the stage for the Great European War of 1914-1918. Beginning with the Napoleonic wars of the early 1800's and ending with the Balkan wars of the early 1900's, the books covers all major developments in international relations of Europe with a particular emphasis on England, Prussia, and France. The final chapters are dedicated to a description of how the continent fell into war and how modern methods of warfare have dramatically changed the course of current conflicts. [230 sheets]

	War Inventions and How they were Invented   by Charles Gibson The author of this book is a talented science writer for children who is able to explain important scientific phenomena in easy to understand language. In this book he explains the evolution of guns, and explosives; the technology associated with battle ships, submarines, torpedoes and mines; various surveying instruments, and finally fighter aircraft. Although students of all ages are spellbound by these fascinating technical histories, the book is a favorite of middle school age boys in particular. [135 sheets]
	Boys' Book of Battles   by Chelsea Fraser Eleven of the most important battles in American and European History are brought to life in this volume, which spends enough time giving interesting background and detailed information, to give each battle vital and lively interest. Particularly moving are three eye-witness accounts of the horrors of the Great War at Verdun, Ypres, and Argonne. Other battles recounted include Saratoga, Yorktown, and Gettysburg in America, and Sedan, Austerlitz, and Waterloo in Europe. [140 sheets]
	Heroes and Heroic Deeds of the Great War   by Donald Mackenzie This book does not provide an overview of the Great War, but instead focuses on individual heroes and heroic events that occurred during the war. It provide brief biographies of only a few of WWI leaders, including Kitchener, Joffre, and Jellico, but for the most part tells stories and anecdotes of personal interest. It was published in the year that the Great War came to a close so it tells the stories of the war with an immediate, rather than a reflective passion. [67 sheets]
	Story of the Great War   by Roland Usher This book is written for the general reader and gives a very complete overview of the Great War It briefly explains the causes and sentiments of the war, along with a comprehensive overview of the battle strategies. The author observes that the vast scale of the war, and the fact that simultaneous battles occurred on various fronts makes a full comprehension of the war difficult, but then proceeds to provide an engaging, but thorough review. [144 sheets]

The number of sheets listed indicates the number of 8½ by 11 sheets of paper required to print the entire book, single-sided. Double-sided printing would allow publishing the entire book using only half the given number.