Customer Reviews

Berlin

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Any fan of the city must read this book. This history of Berlin from its time as the Prussian capital to today covers such varied topics as music under the Nazis (I learned some things about Richard Strauss and Herbert von Karajan I hadn't known before!), Wall escape attempts, and the problems of reunification, among others. It's liberally sprinkled with examples of the famous Berliner sense of humor. A great read for the novice or the experienced Berlinophile. My one major grumble: the Cold War era section covers the western half of the city far more extensively than the eastern half. I would have liked to see more about life on the "other side". Minor quibble: being a first edition, it suffers from a very noticeable number of typos. Still a fantastic introduction -- or reintroduction -- to the city on the Spree.

Large can certainly write a smooth and engaging narrative. But that's about all that I can recommend about this book. Large's caustic and cynical view of Berlin and Berliners is can be extremely off-putting, bordering at times on the offensive. I found his particular comment that the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church looked better after the carpet bombing of World War II than before to be extremley offensive, especially in light of how many thousands of Berlin's civilians were killed during that particular episode of "architectural improvement."

Add to this that the book seems to lack any sort of historical context, placing artistic, social and political movements apart from similar movements that were sweeping through other European cities of the time, and I find it very difficult to recommend this book to anybody.

Once again David C. Large proposes that college required reading and a sense of humor can be assimilated. Stating that the "Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church looked better after the carpet bombing of World War II than before" is comical, yet sadly true! Large educates the reader about Europe's most captivating city, Berlin! He manages to not only remind us of its beauty, but that it is a romantisch city that need not be known only as the former Nazi capital. A consistent and entertaining book, an asset to history itself. Steve Newman

Though at first the size of the book seems to be huge, Large infused every page of this wonderful novel with sensory rich descriptions that helped the reader feel what life in Berlin was like during the city's many different stages. Clearly an expert in this field, Large provides amusing and interesting details about famous landmarks, areas, and figures throughout the cities turbulant history. Having read the book only weeks before my planned trip to the German capital, I now look at the book as an indepth tour guide of the city. I got goosebumps sometimes even seeing a street sign named after an important figure in the city's history who after reading the book, I was able to recall the impact this person had on creating the atmosphere of the vibrant city of modern Berlin, now one of my very favorite in all the world.

A wonderful panorama of Berlin's life, spanning the late 19th to the 21st centuries. Mr. Geyer's review notwithstanding, several friends born and raised in Berlin have asked to borrow the book after reading parts of it, they were so taken by it; that to me gives it all the legitimacy it needs.

Disclosure: I'm only about 200 pages into this book, but I can't recommend it enough. Berlin may easily be the most historically fascinating place on earth, and in David Clay Large's book characters like von Bismarck and Kaiser Wilhelm II come to life with vivid detail. I simply have not been able to put it down. It's even more exciting if you read it after having visited Berlin, as I had the I had the opportunity to do--then the story truly acquires a sense of dimension. Funny, colloquial, sarcastic and even slightly gossipy, this is history writing at its most entertaining.

Urban history of European capitals has become a popular thing to write about it and Large does not disappoint. This tracks Berlins troubled history from the early days, through Prussia, German dominance, reforms by Hitler to the modern day with the renovations of Alexander square. Like most of these books if you have never visited the city it will not hold the same allure. For those who have been to Berlin this is well worth reading and getting a sense of the city. It is clearly written and does not get bogged down on details. It is through enough without making it a year by year update of the changes. It covers the social and political aspects as well. Overall if you want to know about how Berlin developed this is the only book for you.