Informative and entertaining stroll through histor

Personally loved the narration and writing, and it's mixing of being dry/factual 'text book' and more personal/emotional anecdotes.
Growing up in Germany and having lived in the UK for a long time I found it interesting, learning new things, appreciating historical and cultural differences and how much more Europe is interlinked and homogeneous than it seems these days.

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JUST REALLY INTERESTING

A really interesting listen. There are maybe parts of it you won't agree with politically it historically. There are parts when you will think *How did we ever up here?", but everything is just really interesting. It is at once educational historically and on modern culture, gastronomically and politically. Your interest will always be there. singing that cannot often be said of any book.

You'll be listening and learning about history around the river Elbe and the next thing you know you're getting procedural notes on negotiating with a reeperbahn prostitute. You may be finally understanding the holy Roman empire, and then you're deep into other complexities of German beer. Diverse is not really a big enough word. How it works I don't know. But it does.

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Fascinating

Very interesting to see German and European history from a more German perspective.

Occasionally gets and bit bogged down and sometimes slightly repetitive but overall very good.

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A good introduction to elements of German culture

Really enjoyed listening to this one, Millar makes some interesting points in relation to German history and culture. Lynch narrates well.

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Do read

It is well written, well narrated and also so interesting. It is well worth a listening.

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Not what I expected but thoroughly enjoyable

I was after a linear history of Germany so I initially had reservations about the format of this book. One third travelogue, one part history and one part cultural tour it works quite well with the patchwork nature of Germany and its history.

Lots of interesting facts from the defenestratiion of Prague to the traditions of Oktoberfest. And very relevant for British audiences with the ongoing saga of Brexit.

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A very detailed description

I've never been much of a historian but this book has helped me understand the history of Europe and the part that what we call Germany today has played in history. its a fascinating book full of detail and some very funny parts too in places. I highly recommend this to everyone. it probably should be part of the curriculum in schools too.

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A historical time line leading to the Europe that we know today

It ties together some of the events in history that I had some limited knowledge of into a more comprehensive picture of Europe, of where it started from and what we see today.

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Balanced, Light and Informative

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, as an introduction to the long sweep of German history, also its current attitudes and mores, it's very good.

What did you like best about this story?

The conversational style, filled with tangents that could be confusing in less capable hands, but always drew back carefully and concisely to the original point.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The chapter on Vienna gives the kind of potted, concise history of the Habsburg dynasty that many more sprawling efforts get lost in and consumed by.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The utter contrast between actual German attitudes to the country's place in Europe and the jaded, jingoistic perception by many in the UK. A sad gulf that doesn't look like being filled any time shortly.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended and very enjoyable read.

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11 people found this helpful

Wonderful read

if you love history and think you know about history based on what you learnt at school, this book will open your mind and greatly expand your overall European history.
Beautifully narrated and oh so easy to listen to.

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