An excellent little book. Hawes knows what he’s talking about, and his conclusions are well-considered, but he prefers clear, concise prose over dense academic jargon. He has a sense of humor and a keen eye for similarities between then and now. "The Shortest History of Germany," a new must-read from author James Hawes, tells how the so-called Limes, which separates Roman Germany from non-Roman Germany, has remained a defining distinction in the post-antique history of the German people. Comprehensive and confident, it carries a frightening urgency. Captivating, I suspect I will remember it for a lifetime.