France and Germany, two great powers in Europe and the world, had in many respects a similar fate in the first half of the twentieth century. Both nations knew war and defeat, social upheaval, grave economic crisis, as well as political turmoil, including major changes in their political regime. On the other hand, the two countries also faced some very different experiences in the course of their history in this period. Germany had the terrible experience of the Third Reich, while France shared with other powers the agonies of decolonisation. Here is a collection of twenty two studies, dealing with important aspects of the history of the two nations. The studies are grouped under seven headings and include topics like foreign policy in peace and war, domestic changes, the impact of ideologies, the colonical and Jewish aspects. Taken as a whole, these studies offer many new perceptions and insights to the history of France and Germany in the twentieth century.