Germany

The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, the Vatican, and Roman Catholicism

Yoshio Kikuchi, "Two Thousand Years of Mercenaries" - A great book that will change the way you see world history! A recommended gem found in the process of studying Sacco di Roma!

The beauty of this work is that it allows us to look at history from the very beginnings of mercenaries.

This book is a very exciting look at historical changes from ancient Greece in terms of "mercenaries".

Humans have been fighting wars since long ago. But who was fighting those wars? Of course, the main players may have been royalty and nobility. But where did each soldier come from? And what kind of system has been used to conduct wars?

It is a terrific masterpiece that will completely change the way you see the world once you know it!
German-Soviet War: The Soviet Union and the Nazis' War of Extermination

S. McKay, "The Bombing of Dresden 1945: From the Tragedy of the Air Raid to the Rebirth of the City" - What a tragic bombing that annihilated a beautiful old German city.

Dresden was billed as the jewel box on the banks of the Elbe. This book tells in detail about the bombing of that ancient city.

The conflict between the British and American leaders, the mental state of the soldiers, and the lives of the people who lived in Dresden before the bombing of Dresden. And the inferno that ensued after the bombing began...

This is a terrific piece of work.

Frankly, I am scared. The more I learn about history, the more I fear. I felt fear again after reading this book about what will happen to the world we live in in the future.

The issues raised in this book may also be important for Japan, which experienced the atomic bombings and air raids.
The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, the Vatican, and Roman Catholicism

Jacques Le Goff, "Medieval Western Civilization" - Was Medieval Europe really the Dark Ages? Recommended to learn about the process leading up to the Renaissance.

This work is not just a history book. It delves deeply into not only the course of history, but also into the lives and cultures of the people behind it.

This book is an invaluable source of information about the lives and beliefs of people in medieval Europe.

It was especially stimulating to hear about the ideas of purgatory and angels, and the relationship between humans and the forest. The explanations kept coming out that made me want to slap my knees and say, "Oh, I see!" I wanted to hit my knees and say, "Oh, I see!

Compared to ancient Rome and the Renaissance, medieval Europe is clearly minor. However, this period should not be overlooked if we consider that it is precisely because of this in-between period that later Europe came into being.

This work will surely be a great help to see European history in a larger perspective.
The Italian Renaissance and the Revolution of Knowledge

M. Viroli, "The Life of Machiavelli: The Mystery of His Smile" - A recommended biography that also provides historical background and why "The Monarchy" was written!

Readers will be able to relive the times in which he lived, picturing in their minds the days that Machiavelli spent."

This is exactly what it is. This biography will follow his life and what he was fighting against in a very realistic way.

I was amazed when I read this book. I was shocked to find out that Machiavelli had been through all of this! I was shocked. I had no idea that he was disgraced, suspected of treason, and even tortured by his beloved city of Florence.

He then shut himself up in the countryside and faced the book, from which he created "The Theory of Monarchs" in light of his own experience as a diplomat. I was numb to this process.
British and German Literature, History and Culture

Harumi James, "The Scarlet Queen" - Recommended biography to learn about the life of Mary, Queen of Scots, a tragic, too tragic woman.

Tragic, too tragic!

Reading this biography I couldn't stop thinking about it.

I couldn't help but cry, wondering if life could be so tragic.

Mary Stuart as portrayed in this biography is so fascinating that it makes me want to begrudge fate for how such a great person had to suffer so tragically.

I would highly recommend this biography. James Harumi's narration is excellent and I was quickly drawn in. This book will change the way you see England and Scotland. Why not pick up a copy?
The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, the Vatican, and Roman Catholicism

André Chastel, "The Tragedy of the Holy City of Rome in 1527" - The shocking destruction and sack of Rome by the Holy Roman Empire's army.

This book is recommended in combination with "Rome of the Popes" by Masumi Ishinabe.

You will witness the incredible history of the Vatican, which is majestic and overwhelmingly beautiful.

I have been reading this book for less than a month now and I am still in that state of shock. It is such a shock. I feel that this event is very significant not only for religion but also for the history of mankind.
The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, the Vatican, and Roman Catholicism

Hiroshi Emura, "Karl V: The Glorious Days of the Habsburgs" - Recommended work to learn about the life of Karl V, King of Spain in his heyday and the situation in Western Europe at that time.

「この男をもって、ハプスブルク家は最盛期を迎える。若きスペイン王として君臨し、皇帝の冠を抱いたのちは、ヨーロッパだけでは飽きたらず、アフリカにまでその手を伸ばした戦いと栄光の日々。しかし、王家と自身の黄昏は、静かに忍び寄っていた―。ハプスブルク家が光に満ちた最後の姿を描いた傑作評伝」

この本はサッコ・ディ・ローマ事件について知りたかった私にとって非常にありがたい作品でした。中世ヨーロッパに君臨した巨大な王の生涯を知れる素晴らしい一冊です。
The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, the Vatican, and Roman Catholicism

Hiroshi Emura, "The Habsburgs" - A good introduction to the history of the royal family that ruled Europe.

この本はタイトル通り、長い歴史を持つハプスブルク家がいかにして始まり、どのように勢力を増していったのかということが非常にわかりやすく説かれています。

読んでいて「へぇ～！そうなんだ！」とびっくりすることが何度も何度もありました。これまで中世ヨーロッパまでなかなか手が回らなかったためその歴史はほとんど知りませんでしたが、当時のヨーロッパはこんな状況だったのかとまさに目から鱗でした。これは面白いです。
中世ヨーロッパに興味のある方、繁栄を極めたハプスブルク家に興味のある方にぜひおすすめしたい作品です。
The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, the Vatican, and Roman Catholicism

Shohei Touyama, "Henry VIII: Tyrant or Charismatic" - Recommended biography to learn about the King's divorce issues and the process of founding the Church of England.

この本はものすごく面白いです。著者の語りも素晴らしく、歴史の流れがすっと入ってきます。ヘンリー八世という圧倒的カリスマの驚異の人生を私達は目撃することになります。

I highly recommend this book to Shakespeare fans. The daughter of this king was the future Queen Elizabeth, and Shakespeare was active in her reign. If you know the historical background in which he lived, you can enjoy Shakespeare's works more. No art is apart from its historical background. I have appreciated this biography very much.
Marx Engels Writings and Related Works

Yohei Nakajima, "The Eve of Socialism: Saint-Simon, Owen, and Fourier" - Was Marx's label of imaginary socialists unjustified?

Saint-Simon, Owen, and Fourier were labeled "fantastical socialists" by Marx Engels. This book looks at whether these three men were really fantastical socialists.

As stated in the book introduction above, this is a stimulating work that provides an insight into its reality, which is "neither fanciful nor socialist".