Excellent overview of Germany's development and evolution in the 5+ years following the end of World War II. Jähner takes a critical look at how (West) Germans moved from 12 years of a dictatorship to a thriving democracy and economy. Was the road difficult? Without a doubt. Was the transition to a democratic society and Wunderwirtschaft inevitable? Hardly, and far from it. But Jähner walks us through the challenges and triumphs in a highly entertaining and informative manner. One slight criticism might be his glossing over of the Allies' role in rehabilitating Germany. Rather than co-stars in this drama, the Allies play a more secondary role, not consistent with historic reality.