"A gripping and nuanced history of the German people from the Second World War to the present day, including hugely revealing new primary source material on every aspect of its transformation"-- Provided by publisher.

"A Borzoi book". "Originally published in hardcover in Great Britain by Allen Lane, an imprint of Penguin Press, a division of Penguin Random House Ltd., London, in 2023"--Title page verso.

Introduction -- Part one. The German war and its legacies, 1942-60s: 1. Parzival at war: the troubled conscience ; 2. The wages of sin: from Stalingrad to the end ; 3. The murderers are among us: from guilt to amnesty ; 4. Making (some) amends: reparation and atonement -- Part two. One nation, two states, 1949-89: 5. The house of democracy: liberal, within limits ; 6. A new socialist people: the many moralities of the GDR ; 7. Searching for Heimat: East and West ; 8. War and peace: the dilemma of arms ; 9. Strangers at home: the difficulties of difference -- Part three. After the wall, 1989-2022: 10. United and divided: the cost of freedom ; 11. In the wide world: Germany at its limits -- Part four. Trying to be good, 1950s to the present: 12. Money matters: thrifty, wealthy, and unequal ; 13. The circles of care: family, community, and state ; 14. Mother nature: loving and trashing -- Epilogue: What is Germany for?