The Greatest Books of All Time Set in Westphalia
Click to learn how this list is calculated.
This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 401 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.
Genres
The "Westphalia" category of books likely refers to a genre that explores themes, historical events, or narratives related to the Peace of Westphalia, a series of peace treaties signed in 1648 that ended the Thirty Years' War and the Eighty Years' War, leading to a new political order in Europe. Books in this category could delve into the intricate diplomacy, the complex web of European politics of the 17th century, the religious and territorial conflicts that shaped the era, and the lasting impact of Westphalia on the concept of state sovereignty and international law. This genre may include historical fiction set during the period, scholarly analyses of the treaties' significance, biographies of key figures involved in the negotiations, or examinations of how the Westphalian principles have influenced modern geopolitics and the structure of contemporary international relations.
Countries
Date Range
Reading Statistics
Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!
Download
If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.
Download-
1. Candide by Voltaire
or Optimism
"Candide" is a satirical novel that follows the adventures of a young man, Candide, who is living a sheltered life in an Edenic paradise and being indoctrinated with Leibnizian optimism by his mentor. When he is expelled from the paradise for kissing a baron's daughter, he embarks on a journey around the world, witnessing the horrors of war, natural disasters, and human cruelty. Throughout his journey, Candide maintains his optimistic philosophy, despite the constant hardships he faces, ultimately concluding that one must cultivate their own garden, a metaphor for taking control of one's own destiny.
The 76th Greatest Book of All Time -
2. The Jew's Beech by Annette von Droste-Hülshoff
A Picture of Life Among the Hills of Westphalia
Set in a rural German village in the 18th century, the story follows the life of Friedrich Mergel, a troubled young man whose life spirals into turmoil after a series of tragic events. The narrative delves into themes of guilt, justice, and social ostracism, culminating in the mysterious murder of a Jewish man near a beech tree. The community's suspicions and Friedrich's subsequent disappearance leave a lingering sense of unresolved tension and moral ambiguity, reflecting the complexities of human nature and societal judgment.
The 3911th Greatest Book of All Time
Reading Statistics
Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!
Download
If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.
Download