Berlin: A Portrait of Its History, Politics, Architecture, and Society

by Giles MacDonogh

Traces Berlin's evolution from a thirteenth-century village to divided city to its modern incarnation

Genres: History, Germany

544 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 1997

About the author

Giles MacDonogh (born 1955) is a British writer, historian and translator.

MacDonogh has worked as a journalist, most notably for the Financial Times (1988–2003), where he covered food, drink and a variety of other subjects. He has also contributed to most of the other important British newspapers, and is a regular contributor to the Times . As an historian, MacDonogh concentrates on central Europe, principally Germany.

He was educated at the City of London School and Balliol College, Oxford, where he read modern history. He later carried out historical research at the École pratique des hautes études in Paris.

MacDonogh is the author of fourteen books, chiefly about German history; he has also written about gastronomy and wine. In 1988 he won a Glenfiddich Special Award for his first book, A Palate in Revolution (Robin Clark) and was shortlisted for the André Simon Award. His books have been translated into French, Italian, Bulgarian, German, Chinese, Slovakian, Spanish, Russian and Polish.
Reviewing 1938: Hitler’s Gamble in Spectator Magazine , Graham Stewart said: "Giles MacDonogh has repeatedly shown himself to be in the front rank of British scholars of German history. The depth of his human understanding, the judiciousness of his pickings from source material and the quality of his writing make this book at once gripping and grave."

Reviews

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I see that I'm a bigger fan of this book than most. But I read it while visiting Berlin and found it the most insightful and useful of all the travel and history material I consumed. Perhaps it's blending of fiction and history, its showing rather than telling, its hopping among eras, were difficult for some. I loved it.

[G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both dry and rambling at the same time, this book is an okay comprehensive history of Berlin. It assumes a fair knowledge of German history and historic figures.

[Ferrel Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting especially if you already know a little about the city and/or history of Berlin. The author has a very entertaining, cogent writing style and speaks from years of experience with the city and culture. I like the way the first half provides a geographical cultural history--you get a good sense of how this vast metropolis developed over time and of the character of different neighborhoods. I found myself looking back at the historical maps often throughout my reading. The second half of the book, structured very loosely around topics, is less organized. My rating would be higher if the author rambled less here. The cultural references become more arcane for the general reader and at times author appears to be merely name-dropping for an academic audience. Despite its flaws, I am glad I read this book as I prepare for my 7th visit to the city.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best surveys of trhe history of Berlin.

[Chris]

I'm stopping after reading about 80 pages. This has more to do with me than with the writing. Reading about a place I knew well, but haven't visited in years is not the best for my well-being right now.
The author does well to write about monuments, buildings, and neighborhoods as they change (or disappear) through the ages.
Berlin is a unique city given the 20th century political devastation it has experienced.
MacDonogh handles the reigns, the destructions, and the partitions well, though he writes with a familiarity for the city and its culture that left me, not lost, but guessing at times.
I think I would devour this book were I reading it in Kreuzberg.