Rate this book

Germania: In Wayward Pursuit Of The Germans And Their History (2010)

by Simon Winder(Favorite Author)

3.32 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0374254001 (ISBN13: 9780374254001)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Farrar, Straus and Giroux

review 1: Historically informed travel writing - where people talk about places they've visited and tell you about their history - is one of my favourite genres, and this is what I hoped I'd be getting here. Instead I got a reverse of sorts, a history of Germany informed by countless visits to its highways and byways. I did come away with a clear sense that there are places I'd love to visit - Ravensburg and Bamberg, for example - but found the history just a bit too casual for my liking. Also although the author sets out not to cover the Nazi period he does talk about it an awful lot. Two more things: I think the author looks like me, and frankly that would put me off most books. Secondly the author, and some of his reviewers, seem to labour under the illusion that he is funny. Som... moreeone should disabuse him of this notion. Notwithstanding the book contains a lot of interesting stuff, a bit like the cabinets of curiousities he loves to describe.
review 2: A book that is hard to classify. Not quite a history book, a travel book without directions, and not a piece of fiction. A deeply personal impression of history and culture experienced first hand. Similar approach taken by Barry Strauss in Spartacus Road. A book that should be consumed like a fine meal. No need to cross reference maps or sources. Read this book for the pure joy of the experience. less

Download links for: Germania: In Wayward Pursuit of the Germans and Their History

Advertising