The first edition of A Short History of Switzerland (published in May 2018) has sold electronic and print copies in the United States, Brazil, Japan, the UK and the rest of Europe. However, continuing research revealed some omissions that deserved to be rectified. Most chapters have been revised and extended. Published on March 31, 2019 Part 2 now includes seven chapters: "The Helvetians: Living under Occupation" has been replaced with "Pax Romana" and "Medieval Switzerland." Also, "The Transition Period" covers the bumpy road from confederacy to federal republic between 1798 and 1848. In addition I wrote three new chapters on winter sports, the Swiss environmental movement, and transportation infrastructure. Illustrations and maps that now total 39 help to put things in perspective. A picture tells a thousand words. Personal contributions of industrious commoners have been added, such as skiing pioneer Christoph Iselin, Federal Switzerland's first general, Hans Herzog and its first Secretary of Labour, Hermann Greulich. Altogether the second edition has 75% more content. A dose of enthusiasm appears needed to bring the subject up-to-date. My love of history goes all the way back to primary school, when the teacher retold fanciful (and occasionally exaggerated) tales of the brave Eidgenossen. The fateful meeting between representatives of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden that produced an eternal alliance continues to influence present-day Switzerland. But Swiss history dates back a lot further than 1291. I recall how impressed my schoolboy younger self was by the great arena in Augusta Raurica, the largest north of the Alps during Roman times. Nevertheless, the early Helvetians had already proved their skills by creating such beautiful items as the gold cup of Eschenz, 2,000 years before Caesar's arrival. Swiss historians have diligently researched their country's past. Foremost among them remains the late Edgar Bonjour (1989-1991). Citizens remember him as the Grand Master of the country's historical sciences. Bonjour gained fame through his multi-volume "History of Swiss Neutrality" and also his comprehensive report to the Federal Council on the country's foreign policy during World War II. As well, he wrote "A Short History of Switzerland" during the early 1950s, in collaboration with two English historians. This work I have consulted extensively for my update. Bonjour's account was nearly flawless, but his book ended with the Second World War, and some of his terms now appear dated. Also, archaeological research has since uncovered more details about life in pre-historic, ancient and confederacy-era Switzerland.In many ways the country's geography has made Switzerland unique. Swiss geologists and engineers have devised a model of a public transportation system, overcoming incredible odds and challenges due to mountains, risk of erosion and avalanches, meandering waterways and thick forests. Politically the country has become the world's foremost direct democracy, where enough signatures for an initiative automatically trigger a referendum. A Short History of Switzerland attempts to capture the essence of the little country that could, from the perspective of someone who grew up there and went through the country's school system. The book makes the Swiss story accessible to readers with fluency in English. At the same time, the narrative does not shy away from controversial topics, including the war time experience or drug addiction problems.