Berlin Rising: Biography of a City [Paperback]

Anthony Read (Author), David Fisher (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1994

In this richly enjoyable narrative, Anthony Read and David Fisher tell the fascinating story of Berlin--Europe's most powerful city--from the Middle Ages to the fall of the Berlin Wall and reunification. They focus not only on the political events, but also on the city's many compelling artists, writers, soldiers, industrialists, and performers.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Berlin's infamous militaristic streak evolved from its role as capital of Prussia (a small, threatened country with a large army) and later the German Empire. But not everyone marched in lockstep with the demands of their overseers: over the centuries, Berliners developed an acid wit and sarcasm to puncture militaristic pomposity. Thus, the city has a kind of dual "personality," which was most evident in the culturally stimulating Weimar period. Even under the Nazis, Berliners had a reputation for being the least obedient Germans. The authors, who have written several popular histories relating to WW II and Germany, also emphasize the social and economic achievements of foreign settlers and their descendants, most notably French Huguenots, who were welcomed by Prussian rulers to the relatively underpopulated region. They also highlight the substantial contributions of Berlin's Jewish residents, most of whom perished in Nazi death camps. This is a breezy, readable history, at times a bit giddy. (In a section on John F. Kennedy's famous 1963 visit, the authors call him "a modern white knight straight from Camelot.") Photos.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Read and Fisher, who have written on various aspects of German history (The Fall of Berlin, LJ 3/15/93; Kristallnacht, LJ 11/ 15/89), present a thorough and popular history of the city of Berlin. They chart the city's development, decline, and rebirth from the Middle Ages through German reunification. A lot of territory is covered in 24 short, cogent chapters: militarism, imperialism, revolution, hyperinflation, cultural excesses, totalitarian terror, total war, and regeneration. Anecdotes from everyday life and a generous array of photographs punctuate the smooth-flowing historical narrative. By far the most accessible history of Berlin available, this book belongs on the same shelf as ealier studies like Walter Nelson's The Berliner (LJ 7/69) and James Sutterlin's Berlin (Praeger, 1989).
Thomas Karel, Franklin & Marshall Coll. Lib., Lancaster, Pa.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 378 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (June 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393331377
• ISBN-13: 978-0393331370
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #649,672 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good intro to the culture of Berliners, June 26, 2010

By 

Jason - See all my reviews

This review is from: Berlin Rising: Biography of a City (Hardcover)

I read this book shortly before a recent visit to Berlin and it gave me an entirely different, and much more humanistic, appreciation for the city, its people, and its sites, than when I visited it previously. Read and Fisher focus on the people of Berlin and what has defined them and forged their unique identity as a population throughout the city's history. It is this culture that has allowed the city to endure great hardship, oppression, and tragedy and emerge to rebuild and move forward every time. This is a very easy read and a great resource for any travel planning, as you will know WHY the sites you'll see are significant, sometimes on more levels than popularly known.