Since the 1950s, no English-language history of Switzerland has been published. In 2013, Cambridge University Press released a "Concise History of Switzerland." This work is now updated for a German-speaking audience. The authors address both historical events and the changing narratives of history over the ages. The starting point is the changes in Europe that allowed municipalities to thrive and form alliances after 1200. Many of these alliances disappeared, but in the Alpine region, some persisted and evolved into the Confederation. The authors bring their account of history up to the present day. They present a nuanced picture of Switzerland's strengths and weaknesses and conclude with the belief that the country will continue to play a special role in the changing landscape of Europe.