This volume on the Weimar Republic and the rise of the Nazis is the second in the four-volume History Made Simple Series (HMSS) on Germany. The other volumes are the German Empire (1871-1918), Nazi Germany (1933-1945), and, post-war Germany: From division to reunification (1945-present). HMSS books are for everyone who finds history dull and boring. Let's face it; most of us aren't history buffs. We don't spend our free time reading up on historical periods, persons, or events. We would sooner surf the web or vegetate on a couch with a remote control than read the typical history book. HMSS offers a new approach to transmitting historical information. It makes the history of separate countries as simple and enjoyable as possible with hundreds of illustrations, and lots of humor and irony, just the ingredients that make life itself interesting. All historical actors, large and small, voice their opinions and argue with each other, and sometimes with me, the author. History can't be interesting to the non-specialist when it's served up as a cold monologue like the nine o'clock news. You might say history is a futile exercise. We can't agree about the present, how can we possibly agree about the past, right? Sure, but who said we have to agree about everything? In addition, aren't the most informed opinions all sides of an argument? So sit back, make yourself comfortable, and enjoy the read Kurt E. Breitner