- Paperback: 432 pages
- Publisher: FSG Adult (April 1 1998)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0809016095
- ISBN-13: 978-0809016099
- Product Dimensions: 2.1 x 1.4 x 0.3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 363 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #295,963 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Booklist
Readers who have visited Prague, one of the most gorgeous cities in Europe, may wish now, after having combed travel guides before their trip, to follow up with some reading on Prague's history; but unless they are serious about learning the subject, this book is best left alone. On the other hand, readers other than casual ones will find the development of Prague absorbingly chronicled here. This "history of a European city built over many centuries by Czechs, Germans, Jews, and Italians" presents both essential and colorful detail of the evolution of the kingdom of Bohemia, from mythical origins to Austrian domination to the post^-World War I flowering of independence and democracy. Demetz writes of such interesting personalities as King Charles IV, who put Prague on the map; Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II, odd and fascinating; Jan Hus, religious reformer; and Thomas Masaryk, internationally esteemed president of the first Czech republic. Of course, history buffs who have never been to Prague will still relish what is offered here. Brad Hooper
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
From Kirkus Reviews
A very interesting overview of key periods in the four- millennia-old history of central Europe's great ``gateway'' city (one of the meanings of the Czech Praha), which has also served as a bridge between the Slavic region to the east and the Germanic and Latin areas to the west. A Prague-born and -raised literary and intellectual historian, Demetz traces the enormous changes the city underwent between the Middle Ages and the eve of WW II. (Strangely, he does not extend his story to encompass either the brief ``Prague Spring'' of 1968 or the ``velvet revolution'' of 1989 that, with amazing swiftness, brought about communism's collapse.) Demetz is particularly interesting on the revolt led by followers of the martyred Jan Hus, a precursor to Luther, in the early 15th century, and on how the city affected, and sometimes dazzled, the host of literary and other creative figures who lived there or passed through, from Goethe to Andr‚ Breton. He also captures repeated moments of tension, and rather more uncommon ones of harmony, between the city's two large ethnic communities: Germans and Czechs. Both groups periodically turned violently against the city's third great community, the Jews, who also provided a disproportionate share of cultural and scientific leadership. Demetz's style is both richly anecdotal and well grounded in a wide range of secondary sources, and he does an excellent job of balancing political and cultural history. (As a city ``insider,'' Demetz seems particularly knowledgeable about Prague's neighborhoods and architecture.) However, he does have a propensity to overwhelm the reader with myriad names and, on occasion, to become bogged down in narrative details. In general, however, this is a fine introduction to a city that, like Rome or Jerusalem, has equally compelling legendary and actual histories. (maps) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
In February 1893, the Czech writer Alois Jirasek, patriot, industrious historian, and late ally of Walter Scott, was preparing a little book for young readers and, in a letter to a friend, expressed his hope that it would make its way without "big band and loud advertising." Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
In February 1893, the Czech writer Alois Jirasek, patriot, industrious historian, and late ally of Walter Scott, was preparing a little book for young readers and, in a letter to a friend, expressed his hope that it would make its way without "big band and loud advertising." Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A comprehensive piece on Czech people and history,
By
This review is from: Prague In Black And Gold (Paperback)
I have just returned from my first trip Prague and Ostrava. The history of the region is a bit confusing to us who are not familiar with this part of the world. This is an important part of the world, after all the genesis of the First World War is connected to the Bohemian Prince who was also a successor to the Habsburg throne. Professor Demetz provides a comprehensive background to the history of the country, the intrigues and policitical fights that went on this part of the world. He provides a lively discussion of a serious subject. Prague went through a great number of battles and the people here were well involved with many events that rocked the European politics and religion. Demetz is from Prague where he grew up and was a victim of anti-semitic tide that swept across Europe. This makes his story so human. This is not a dispassionate history book. I recommend this book to you, if are interested to know a bit more about the Czech republic and its people.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Informative in Parts, But a Bit Dense,
This review is from: Prague In Black And Gold (Paperback)
As with some of the other reviewers, I am glad I read this AFTER I visited Prague. It is best not read cover to cover, but use the index to read about the things you want to learn more about. Otherwise, you will be overwhelmed by personal names and places in a language most of us are unaccustomed to. Don't lie to me & tell me you will remember it all! (smile). (Unless you are an expert in Slavic languages).
2.0 out of 5 stars
Pretentious history,
By A Customer
This review is from: Prague In Black And Gold (Paperback)
To write a history text which is so broad in definition but so inaccessible to the casual reader makes this a pretentious read. As a historian, there is much that is up for debate in his first three chapters - and that is not always clear. And some of his points, (eg. that the root of Slav is from the word "sklavenoi", meaning slave) has long been out of vogue among Slavic historians. Parts are fun to read, but I believe the greatness of the text is hyperbolic.
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