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Why the Germans Do It Better

Notes from a Grown-Up Country

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About this listen

Nominated for the Orwell Prize.

Emerging from a collection of disparate city states 150 years ago, no other country has had as turbulent a history as Germany or enjoyed so much prosperity in such a short time frame. Today, as much of the world succumbs to authoritarianism and democracy is undermined from its heart, Germany stands as a bulwark for decency and stability.

Mixing personal journey and anecdote with compelling empirical evidence, this is a searching and entertaining exploration of the country many in the West still love to hate. Raising important questions for our post-Brexit landscape, Kampfner asks why Germany has become a model for others to emulate, while Britain still languishes in wartime nostalgia and fails to tackle contemporary challenges. Part memoir, part history, part travelogue, Why the Germans Do It Better is a rich and witty portrait of an eternally fascinating country.

©2020 John Kampfner (P)2020 W.F. Howes Ltd Europe Germany Great Britain Politics & Government World Authoritarianism Socialism Witty Thought-Provoking Imperialism England Capitalism Soviet Union Taxation Russia

Critic reviews

“Smart, provocative and entertaining, this is a timely and enthralling love letter to our much misunderstood near neighbour." (Kay Burley)
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I found the title misleading. Its deliberately provocative but doesnt deliver.
Its an interesting sweep of post ww2 German history but there’s no coherent narrative.
You also have to endure a good dollop of brit bashing.
His contention that the pandemic proves german superiority has rapidly dated with the vaccine rollout.
As for the narration this is incredibly annoying with a string of very bad “impressions” and awful accents. Much better when he doesnt bother.
Overall not terrible but disappointing considering the rave reviews

Doesnt do what it says on the tin

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As a German who lived for nearly half of my life in the UK now it is a very good and accurate history of post war Germany and its history from this point. It offers a good insight into the german psyche and values.
The title of the book is a bit misleading as it is not as polarised in opinion as the title might suggest.
A must read for anyone who is interested in post war Germany, its history and more importantly how post war Germans REALLY think and feel. And this reality is of course very different to many of the rather ignorant post war cliches still widely stereotyped in the British media.

Very good illustration of post war Germany to the present

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Interesting and very credible insights into German politics culture and character. Well presented, but annoying attempts at awful (particularly German) accents. I was particularly interested in the analysis of current political situations and his views on democracy and populism. Also a good analysis of Germany in its international relationships, particularly within Europe, the UK, the USA (especially Trump) and Putin's Russia.

An excellent contemporary and sympathetic view of Merkel's Germany.

Personal and believable review of Germany today

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As an ex army child while my dad was in forces, it was very clear that germans did things better, keep their country tidy, roads weren't constantly being repaired, oh the list goes on, this is a book you can put down and pick up again as their is alot to absorb and just realise that the mentality of as it says ' the brits just wing it' just isn't working.

Vorsprung dorch technik

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Mildly patronising to the English, ut nonetheless carries a vital social and economic message fir Brexiteers in particular.

Lasson for Boris & Adgerents

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