This book represents a fresh exploration in research and concise history writing. German history has been full of twists and turns. On one side, it embodies order, prosperity, and reason; while on the other, war, tyranny, and chaos. Historians across generations have debated whether the German path is a product of German uniqueness or a manifestation of the universal pattern in world history. The author of this book goes beyond traditional issues and simplify them to point out that the main thread of German history is the evolution and transformation of its state forms: the Holy Roman Empire rose to its zenith only to decline; the German nation-state was slow to come; the loose German Confederation collapsed; the centralized German Empire went astray; the democratic Weimar Republic came to a premature end; the evil Third Reich brought about its own collapse; the Federal Republic of Germany and the Germany Democratic Republic were entangled in a struggle; and now Germany stands at the crossroad of a nation-state and the European Union. The history of Germany is both the history of its development and the evolution of its state forms, offering insights for understanding the relationship between nation and state, as well as state and world. With a clear structure and fresh perspectives, this full-color pocket book features lively writing and rich illustrations. It showcases renowned German scholars and their works, introduces places of interest across Germany, and accompanies readers in discovering and traveling around the country.