In the political history of the past century; no city has played a more prominent-though often disastrous-role than Berlin. At the same time; Berlin has also been a dynamic center of artistic and intellectual innovation. If Paris was the "Capital of the Nineteenth Century;" Berlin was to become the signature city for the next hundred years. Once a symbol of modernity; in the Thirties it became associated with injustice and the abuse of power. After 1945; it became the iconic City of the Cold War. Since the fall of the Wall; Berlin has again come to represent humanity's aspirations for a new beginning; tempered by caution deriving from the traumas of the recent past. David Clay Large's definitive history of Berlin is framed by the two German unifications of 1871 and 1990. Between these two events several themes run like a thread through the city's history: a persistent inferiority complex; a distrust among many ordinary Germans; and the national leadership of the "unloved city's" electric atmosphere; fast tempo; and tradition of unruliness; its status as a magnet for immigrants; artists; intellectuals; and the young; the opening up of social; economic; and ethnic divisions as sharp as the one created by the Wall.
#166552 in Books Malcolm Gaskill 2014-11-11 2014-11-11Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.50 x 1.50 x 6.38l; .0 #File Name: 046501111X512 pagesBetween Two Worlds How the English Became Americans
Review
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. An Englishman's take on New England's early historyBy Don SpinettaAt long last; an overview of America's colonial history from a British perspective. The author has unearthed resonant details from both sides of the Atlantic. Much of the material will not be new to those with a penchant for this era; but the work is invaluable for the odd bit of trivia that is missing in most American-written overviews. It is refreshing to read unsparing assessments of founding fathers -- such as John Winthrop -- instead of the usual veneration with which American historians have traditionally portrayed them. The book is so thorough; though; that reading it can be a bit slow-going; hence the four stars.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Highly recommended history book.By Teri T. ZandiI found this book to be very interesting and informative. I have read different books on the early colonial period; but they usually dealt with New England or simply the Massachusetts Bay Colony. This book is different in that the author also describes the experiences of English settlers in places such as the Caribbean; Virginia; the Carolinas; as well as New England and up into Canada. He talks not only of the hardships of the early settlers; but also of the propaganda wars going on between the new world and the old. Many tried to keep hidden; how bad it could be so as not to discourage New emigrants. I recommend this book to any serious history readers. It definitely gave me new insight into that era.6 of 7 people found the following review helpful. the sad plight of the indigenous peoples whose land was thoughtlessly ...By J. HouseFull of astonishing information about the British settlement of the "colonies;" both in the West Indies and on the southern and northern coasts the New World. The writer brings to life the harrowing experiences of these early settlers; the men who bought the patents; the men who ruled them; the journeys by sea; the religious conflicts; the battles over property; the extension of the English Civil War to the American colonies; the sad plight of the indigenous peoples whose land was thoughtlessly wrenched from them; with much destruction wreaked on both sides. Malcolm Gaskill has provided a fantastic overview with much detail.
