Earlier this year I visited Berlin. I’ve been to Germany a number of times but it was my first trip to Berlin. Within three days, it was love. In fact, Berlin has bumped New York from the number one spot on the list of my favourite cities. I’m already thinking about my next trip.
So I pounced on Rory MacLean’s Berlin: Imagine a City. The book is described as a “…biography of one of the world’s most volatile and creative cities”, charting its highs and lows through a “…dazzlingly eclectic cast of Berliners…”, from Marlene Dietrich and Goebbels to medieval balladeers and the time when David Bowie recorded ‘Heroes’. It begins –
“Dawn casts the shadow of a vanished palace upon the mist. A king’s flute solo drifts on the air. Saplings take root on the forgotten railway siding where Lenin paused before sparking his revolution. Victory flashes gold through the thick Tiergarten trees. Ashes from Sachsenhausen’s ovens are caught in dusty whirlwinds above the Holocaust Memorial. Children’s laughter echoes along narrow, naked parks where the Wall once stood. In a banal car park, tourists stand, transfixed, atop Hitler’s hidden bunker.”
I don’t read a lot of non-fiction but I can’t wait to get stuck into this book.
Join in First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday over at Bibliophile by the Sea.
My husband lived in Berlin (when it was still a divided city) for a couple of years when he was young. I bet he’d like this.
This one is new to me, so happy you joined in this week. enjoy
Having loved visiting Berlin a few years ago I really must read this as it sounds like such an insightful read.
I’m not sure about this one. It’s probably one I would skim through and read bits and pieces of.
Today I’m featuring Losing Touch by Sandra Hunter.
I’ve been to several cities in Germany, but haven’t had the chance to visit Berlin. I’ve heard good things about it from friends and relatives. Sounds like an interesting book…enjoy!
My Tuesday post: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2014/07/first-chapter-first-paragraph-69-and.html
I can see the draw to this one. It sounds fascinating. I do not read a lot of nonfiction, but this one might interest me. I hope you enjoy it!
That is an amazing beginning. You feel like he’s got all of history in a sentence there. And in many ways that’s perfect for Berlin because there’s so much history right there. I’ve only been a few times despite being German but I really like it! I hope you enjoy the rest of this one 🙂 Thank for sharing!
My Intro
Juli @ Universe in Words
Oh, wow! I must read this…my eldest son, a writer and photographer, has lived in Berlin for around five years. (Before that, Prague). I have loved his photos…so I’m adding this book to my list. Your excerpt pulled me in.
Here’s mine: “BIG LITTLE LIES”
sounds great, you’ll probably really enjoy it after visiting Berlin. Have a great day. Kelley at the road goes ever ever on
This sounds fascinating! I imagine if you’re going to do a biography of a city, there are none more interesting than Berlin – it’s been through such transformation.
Here’s Mine: http://www.sarahsbookshelves.com/fiction/first-chapter-first-paragraph-tuesday-intros-monday-monday-elizabeth-crook/
I’m so glad to hear Berlin is so lovable. I’ve read two books that are set in Berlin that you might enjoy:
1. My Berlin Kitchen: A love story with recipes by Luisa Weiss
2. City of Women by David R. Gillham (set during WW2)
I probably won’t read this, but I love knowing that there are other people named Rory