Europe Books

From its opening in 1925 when sex, drugs, alcohol and art defined Les Années Folles Le Sélect was a favorite of Hemingway, Kiki, Foujita, Hart Crane, Henry Miller and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Except for the regulars not much has changed in 82 years -tan walls, brown banquettes and old-fashioned globe lamps.

It is the least touristy of the great Montparnasse cafés and the owners intend to keep it that way!

I have begun to hang my `hat" there for a few reasonably priced glasses of Cotes du Rhone before heading out for an evening of jazz. Packed with regulars it feels like home.

One of those regulars is Rick Tulka, for twenty years an illustrator for MAD Magazine and for thirteen years a sketcher of quotidian life at Le Sélect. His lively Hirschfeld-inspired illustrations reinforce Noel Riley Fitch's prose in their delightful collaboration, Paris Café: The Sélect Crowd.

An internationally recognized biographer and historian of expatriate Paris in the first four decades of the 19th century, Noel has written biographies of Sylvia Beach, Anais Nin and Julia Child as well as several books about Ernest Hemingway's Paris.
Paris Café: The Sélect Crowd sparkles with wit and humor and makes an ideal gift for your Paris-bound friends.

When I learned my cousin had illustrated a book written on a Paris Cafe, Le Select, I thought, "How nice. I'll have to get a couple copies to take with me so I can get his autograph!" I really didn't intend, necessarily, to read it...
Well I got the book and started flipping through and then was just lured right in and read the whole thing in a rather brief period and enjoyed every minute! What a pleasant and illuminating book! And the illustrations are out of this world! To be expected from this seasoned MAD caricaturist.
Whether or not you are going to Paris, this is a must read if you, not only love Paris and, but also want to get a true understanding of the significance of the Paris Cafe!

Author of a number of histories of literary Paris, as well as a study of Europe's "literary cafés," Noël Riley Fitch now does the trend of Americans writing about their favorite Parisian neighborhood one better by giving us a warm and charming portrait of her favorite Parisian café, Montparnasse's Le Sélect. Accompanied by wonderful illustrations (or, as the cover says, just "drawings") by Rick Tulka, this short book is an experience to savor, much like a trip to the café itself would be.

I've read a number of books over the last few months about Paris cafés, as my vicarious substitute for actually being in one. There's a great variety of such books, all trying in their own way to capture some of the ineffable (and perhaps exaggerated?) romantic charm of Parisian café-dom. Some are glossy photo albums, portraying cafés, brasseries, and restaurants in all their visual diversity. Others focus on the history of various cafés and their neighborhoods, while still others give us recipes designed to recreate café flavors and smells in our own homes. But "Paris Café: The Sélect Crowd" is the first such book I've seen that really takes a close, personal look at an author's own chosen café (in this case, one she shares with her illustrator). I found it a remarkably successful effort, and I feel like were I to visit Le Sélect someday, it wouldn't feel entirely foreign to me.

If I could improve anything, I might wish for more discussion of the people depicted in Tulka's evocative portraits, though there may not have been a way to do that while still respecting their privacy -- Le Sélect is, after all, a neighborhood institution. I also didn't particularly care for the odd covers and binding Soft Skull Press chose to clad this thing in: the cover is uniformly a quarter-inch wider than the pages inside, which made this somewhat awkward to hold. Besides that one wish and one complaint, however, this short book was a fine way to spend a few hours. I hope other authors rise to the challenge and produce similar looks at their own chosen café haunts.

Fitch's etched words and Tulka's loving illustrations provide a no-hassle jet to Paris and one of its treasures. This is an account to be sipped, savored and saved. Le Select's bracing aroma and eye-pleasing sights permeate every page of the francophiles' extended love letter.

Those who've roosted there over a cup of coffee or tingled after a wine will re-experience their warm pleasure; those who've yet to make it to Le Select will find a delicious foretaste of Paris at its best.

A votre sante!

The moment you open PARIS CAFES, you're transported to one of the most prestigious and traditional cafes in all Paris. Le Select is unchanged and unadulterated, still serving the same food by the same waiters and run by the same owner.
Turning the pages generates that special "je ne sait quoi" ambience that we all think of as Paris.
And Rick Tulka's drawings capture the subtle Parisien look, the Parisien style and humor impossible to experience in any other city in the world. Cafes exist everywhere, but none of them feels quite like sitting in a cafe in Paris. That's the special fun of reading PARIS CAFES.

Accessibly written by Gary Lee Kraut (winner of FracePress' Prix d'Excellence for work on France), Paris Revisited: The Guide For The Return Traveler is an excellent travel guide to exploring the splendors of France's grand capital, whether you are returning for revisit or are experiencing Paris' cultural, historical, and architectural grandeur for the very first time. Covering both famous and infamous historical sites, grand museums, prime shopping locals, choice hotels, extensive adventure and gastronomical delights in the restaurant scene, and so much more, Paris Revisited is a superbly organized and enthusiastically recommended reference for enhancing one's travel experience.

Very usable guide to your personal tour of Paris. What Parisian visit are you looking for....this time? If it's casual, or romantic, or historical, or the great cafes, or quick highlights, this is the book to have in hand. Mr. Kraut out does himself in this addition to his books on Paris. As a long time American in Paris, Gary Kraut walks you through the most beautiful and interesting and tasty parts of Paris.

A friends passed me this book--and after finding it so useful I've passed it on to others. It's not a typical guide book...and it is. What's great about this book is that it gets you off the beaten path a bit, and it's fun to read. Lots of info, and like a standard guidebook it has all the relevent information. As a more intimate guide, this author isn't afraid to tell you what he thinks or how he thinks--but the bottom line is always Paris in all its beauty and complexity. It's a good read, as well as a great guide. And for first time travelers, it might be ok, too.

A friend gave this book to me just before my recent visit to Paris and it turned out to be the only one I used. There were extensive descriptions and background for places I'd never heard of before, the guidance intrigued me, and all of the ones I visited turned out to be little gems (and not overrun by tourists) that made my visit more memorable. The major sights are all covered also, but with more of an eye toward appreciation of their charms than a must-see checklist. A great resource.

Most of the mainstream travel books don't fit my personality or have listings that fit my pocket book. This one is for the traveller that wants to see the city - not just other tourists. It's easy to read, has opinions that you can agree (or disagree) with and encourages you to see things, not just for the first time but in a new way. You can tell the book was written by someone that loves the city and he makes you fall in love with Paris too. If you're going to Paris alone, or with someone you're fond of, you'll be delighted. I'm ready to go back.

"çà, c'est paris"! is a popular french song from WWII period. Parisians sang it when Paris was delivered by US and french troops. This is the song I started whislting when I read the first pages and table of contents of this book. It's good to read paris guide books where you're not obliged to go through 50 pages of historical descriptions before you understand what paris is all about. This book is not dull. It is well documented even if this documentation has nothing to do with "classical" culture. It belongs to a tradition in French publishing business: collection of essays written by famous writers about a specific place. In this case, I do not know the writers (I am french)and am not influenced by their past works. One could imagine to publish the same kind of books with texts from Victor Hugo, Ernst Hemmingway and other famous writers.

I took one of the Traveler's Tales books on my trip to Paris, and bought this one when I got back. One of the stories made me miss Paris so much that I wept. I'm doling the stories out slowly to make them last. If you love Paris, this book will keep your psychic connection alive.

If I had not already been Paris-bound, this book assuredly would have had me calling the airlines. What a wonderful, eclectic collection of essays! The piece on Ste. Chappelle, for example, actually manages to convey the jaw-dropping, heart-clenching, breath-taking sheer beauty of the place. Other pieces, such as SOS Medecin, captured utterly the blend of whimsy and solemnity that is Paris. You don't have to be headed for Paris to love this book; you don't even have to be a traveler.

Ahhh Paris. As a graduate student fortunate to be studying in Paris, I found myself falling into the dull routine of class and studying. I was failing to appreciate one of the prettiest cities on earth. This book opened my eyes to the multitude of interesting "trucs" around me in the Latin Quarter. Although some of the stories are more interesting than others, there is genuinely something for everyone's taste in this book. I now often study at the "Deux Magots" cafe due to its history and popularity with Jean Paul Sartres and Simone de Beauvoir that I read about. This book is wonderful for anyone interested in Paris, wanting to take a mental journey there, or a seasoned traveller who thinks they already know Paris. Anyone armed with "Paris Traveler's Tales" can discover the "Joie de Vivre" en Paris!

Like TT: France, this book is a perfect way to prepare psychologically for entering La France. Its collection of essays on living or traveling in Paris has passionate tales and historical accounts.

A book like this is an excellent way to give you pointers on Paris city life. I would never have thought of experiencing the Turkish bathes of a Paris without the wonderful story in TT: Paris. And many would find it maudlin to go exploring Pere Lachaise cemetery, until reading some stories of the experience.

Rick Steves' travel guides do a good job of highlighting particular things to see. Travelers' Tales take the experience to a deeper level.

Set in a Swedish village long ago, Per and the Dala Horse is the charming tale of a young boy's quest to recover a golden chalice stolen by trolls. When an old farmer dies, he leaves all his worldly possessions to his three sons. The eldest inherits the farm. The middle son receives a fine riding horse. But Per, the youngest son, receives only a beautifully carved and painted wooden horse. The two elder brothers laugh at Per and his seemingly worthless wooden horse; but Per cherishes it, sure that it will one day prove useful. When the trolls steal the golden communion chalice from the village church, Per's two older brothers try unsuccessfully to rescue it. It is Per, with the help of his magnificent Dala horse, who is able to rescue the cherished stolen chalice. Yvonne Gilbert's stunning colored pencil illustrations are more vibrant than ever in this new edition of Per and the Dala Horse. Rebecca Hickox's spirited text makes this an enchanting picture book.

Illustrated by Yvonne Gilbert

This really is a must for anyone of Swedish heritage - especially for boys. The story is suitable for around 3-8 years. The illustrations are probably the most gorgeous I have ever seen in any child's book. The author has combined the best of many traditional Swedish stories. Consequently the book has a very evocative, almost primal feel. Anyone with Swedish blood will relate to this story in a very deep way. This is a magical book and it really should come back into print - publishers, why are you wasting time! Reprint this book!

My heritage is 100% Swedish. It is difficult for me to find books about Swedish culture in general, and close to impossible to find Swedish stories to which my seven-year old son can relate.

I believe each cultural has its own beauty and much to offer the world. I often encounter people assuming that because we speak English and are Lutheran, then our cultural heritage is the same as Britain's (we're are not Anglo-Saxons, the Church of England has nothing to do with Scandinavia, and our native tongue is Swedish) or since Swedish is a Germanic language, then our culture must be like the Germans'. Like every other society that has evolved on its own, the Swedes are proud of who they are and how they came to be.

I remember Dala horses all over my grandparents' homes and in my house growing up as well. I want very much for my son to enjoy the richness of where his family comes from, and why we still remain so close to our relatives in "the old country." This is simply a wonderful book that has aided in giving my son his own cultural identity.

I am very grateful that this book is so Swedish. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for new perspectives about the smaller European nations.

Set in a Swedish village long ago, Per and the Dala Horse is the tale of a young boy's quest to recover a golden chalice stolen by trolls. When an old farmer dies, he leaves all his worldly possessions to his three sons. The eldest inherits the farm. The middle son receives a fine riding horse. But Per, the youngest son, receives only a beautifully carved and painted wooden horse. When the trolls steal the golden communion chalice from the village church, Per, with the help of his magnificent Dala horse, is able to rescue the cherished stolen chalice. Yvonne Gilbert's stunning colored pencil illustrations are more vibrant than ever in this new edition of Per and the Dala Horse. Rebecca Hickox's spirited text makes this an enchanting picture book. Ages 4-9. Paperback.

This book so captured our imaginations that I had to purchase a little wooden Dala horse for our son. The artwork is beautiful, the story is culturally sensitive, the scenes are exciting and the language is rich. I've been reading this book to my son since he was two. He's four, now, and still loves it!

And for that matter, how can you not love Lloyd Alexander? I have yet to read a book of his I didn't like.

In the Vesper Holly books, Alexander has created a fun, spunky heroine who's as smart and resourceful as she is beautiful. In contrast is her ever-patient, loveable but not-as-sharp guardian, Brinnie, who finds himself in impossible life-or-death situations - thanks to Vesper.

The whole series is a great, fast-paced, fun adventure in the style of Indiana Jones. But I have to say, of all the books, the Philadelphia Adventure is my favorite.

For one thing, while all the other books in the series are set in far-off, imaginary, exotic locales, the Philadelphia Adventure is set in - well, Philadelphia, PA, in the good ol' USA. The characters Vesper and her friends encounter are true historical figures, as is the Exposition that supplies the backdrop for the book.

The plot in this book is also tighter and more realistic than previous Vesper Holly titles. While I do love the other books, you have to wonder how Vesper just happens to come to the right conclusion every time (when there aren't many clues given to the reader or narrator). And, it's just a startling coincidence that in several of the other books, Vesper's nemesis Dr. Helvitius just "happens" to be in the area, versus in this book, where he actually launches a scheme against Vesper while trying to take over the world.

Vesper shows a more realistic, human side in the Philadelphia Adventure, often second-guessing her actions, wondering what the best course of action is. While she comes out on top every time, it's nice to see that, in this book, she's still an imperfect person - it makes her choices and the final outcome that much better.

Overall, a great series for kids with a literary character they can truly look up to.

I'm 21, and I must say I love the Vesper Holly books as much as I did when I first discovered them at age 10. I read them over and over again through my teen years. They're like a cross between Indiana Jones and the Adventures of Tintin, with an added bonus--an original female heroine! As a little girl I admired Vesper and all her intelligence and pluck; she's a great role model for smart, ambitious girls who want to make discoveries. The Philadelphia Adventure was always my favorite of the series; the humor and action that are the hallmark of the series are at their peak here. I sniffled when I got to the end, because until last year, this was the final installment. I was delighted to discover that Lloyd Alexander has recently written a series finale (Xanadu Adventure).

Vesper, with a heart as big as her brain and her endearing knacks for mathematics, historical puzzles, and banjo music is a truly trailbrazing heroine in young adult literature. Thank you, thank you, Lloyd Alexander!

The ever delightful Vesper Holly is back in this fifth chronicle by one of my favorite master storytellers. Vesper's resourcefulness, bravery and wit are ever-present while she falls in love (innocently) yet again. Her red hair, fiery personality, orphaned status and love for a certain fat cat conjure up another favorite heroine of the historical fiction world, exotic Nefret Emerson from the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters. Each of these books packs a lot of punch considering how short they are, making them perfect for any young reader.

This was a wonderful book, with characteristic Lloyd Alexander wit and humor, along with his deft story-telling. People of all ages will enjoy this latest escapade of Vesper Holly!

Unlike the other books in the Vesper Holly series, this book takes places in an actual place, Philadelphia (as you might have gathered from the title). The World Exposition is going to be held there, but the opening keeps on being delayed, problems of plagued it from the start. President Grant goes to Vesper Holly's home and pleads for Vesper to rescue the kidnapped children in the care of the Brazilian King. The stage is set for some grand Vesper Holly action with her guardian Brinnie, Smiler and Slider (from the previous books), and a new character, Weed in toll! This is a fabulous book!

I really enjoyed this book. It is by Lloyd Alexander, author of The High King winner of the Newbery Medal. One reason I enjoyed was that it kept on surprising me until the end.
It is not based on things that really happened, although it has people who really existed, such as President Ulysses S. Grant.
The adventure begins when Ulysses Grant comes to Vesper Holly's door asking for her help with a kidnaping of two children. The kidnaper is using the children to ransom the emperor of Brazil.
The kidnapper hates Vesper Holly, so he made it clear that bad things would happen to the children if she did not deliver the ransom. That way he can put her in danger to get revenge on her.

This lovely portfolio book was born out of a love affair with Italy that has spanned many years, and that has been nurtured by numerous personal visits. On one of those trips the authors, Joe Bauwens and Marybeth Flower, visited a different hill town every day. Spending most of their time in the piazze of these towns, they came to appreciate how the piazza is an expression of the unique cultural life of each community. No one had used photography to tell this story in the way that Bauwens and Flower came to know it. Challenged by this awareness, they undertook a year of rigorous training from professional photographers in various workshops. Armed with this education, they returned to Italy for five months, traveled to many of Italy's towns and cities, took thousands of photographs, spent endless hours selecting the very best, and wrote captivating text to go with them. Piazza--Italy's Heart & Soul is the result. Clearly, these two amateur photographers transformed themselves into amazingly skillful photojournalists, and in so doing realized their dream of communicating in photographs and words the vitality of Italians and their beloved piazze.

The artistic and vibrant quality of this work is an inspiration to those who aspire to tell other stories in a similar manner. In chapter after chapter the authors succeed beyond measure in capturing the beauty, joy, action, passion, color, and fashion found in the piazze of this wonderful Mediterranean country. Those who already know and love Italy will want this book to enrich their memories. Those who do not, but who see this book and open it, will want to make the journey in order to know and love Italy.

Wow! We gave Piazza to my Italian husband for Father's Day and it was a hit with the whole extended family. The photographs captivated all of us-- by either taking us back to Italy in our memories or inspiring the desire for a first visit. Piazza excites and inspires through the very last photo. We can tell the authors/photographers are in love with their subject. This is truly and exceptional book!! Debra Romano

After flipping through the pages of this award winning book, I instantly called to make airline reservations to Tuscany! The authors/photographers images are so vibrant and exciting you feel like you've traveled and experienced the moments with them! Not only is this book a must have but a great gift for even the non-traveler!

Joe Bauwens and MaryBeth Flower love photography and Italy! The results are incandescent. I yearn for Italy most days of the week and this book makes me especially nostalgic for this gorgeous and delightful nation! This is my favorite coffee table book and I have 30 or so that I love! This is a fabulous gift!

Italy has long been at the top of my list of countries to visit if ever given the chance. Sadly, budget and vacation time are currently prohibitive factors for such a trip. That's the beauty of books such as Joe Bauwens' and MaryBeth Flower's PIAZZA: ITALY'S HEART AND SOUL - they can transport you to places you've dreamed of, through the splendor of their photography and the descriptive footnotes teaching a bit of that region's cultures and traditions.

When you open the book, you are immediately captured by the colorful flags born by the sbandieratori of Gubbio, and can almost feel their movement as they run, proudly bearing their flags.

You can feel the press of the crowds when you turn to the depiction of the Ceri Marathon. Then a castle in Vernazza seems to be carved from the seaside bluff it tops, rather than being built upon it by mere men.

As exciting as some of these photos are, still others convey a solemn peace and stillness, such as the picture of the Santa Maria della Salute church in the dark of night, with lights spotlighting its majestic dome.

Mr. Bauwens and Ms. Flower miss nothing, including pictures of citizens in traditional costume as well as people in modern dress. We find children laughing and playing, and other people from all walks of life, who through the very normalcy of their pictures, depict everyday life in Italy more surely than mere words. From the pink-haired woman on her cell phone to the pony-tailed man on his unicycle, we experience it all.

I can almost taste the rich cappuccino when I see the pictures of this dark treat decorated with whimsical chocolate designs atop the foam. I can imagine sitting at an outdoor cafe quietly watching all of these sights go by as I sip my own cup, careful not to burn my mouth.

But the creators of this coffee table book don't rely on just pictures to deliver the Italian experience - they draft prose as picturesque as their photographs to completely immerse you in the details of the event, the town, the feel of the place.

I'd expected PIAZZA: ITALY'S HEART AND SOUL to assuage some of my wanderlust, but instead I find I want even more fervently to wander through the rainbow town of Burano. I want to coast through the watery streets of Venice in my own gondola, with a gondolier pointing out spots of interest in a thick Italian accent. I want to dance in the street to the beat of the street musicians on the Ligurian shore.

Italy is a country steeped in history and this beautiful tome clearly shows this in everything from the architecture to the people to the traditional celebrations. It's the next best thing to being able to visit Italy yourself. For a taste of Italy sure to fuel a few daydreams, pick up a copy of PIAZZA: ITALY'S HEART AND SOUL.

**Courtesy of Wild on Books**

I bought this book after reading the reviews of others who said that this book was chock full of info...and they were not kidding! I did find out things I did not know before about Poland and have enjoyed reading it, though I have hopped from topic to topic rather than reading the whole thing straight thru. It is more like an encyclopedia on Poland than a cover-to-cover read...a very useful resource!

I found this book to be very helpful, not only for travelers to Poland, but for business travelers also. The author has brought it all together in a format that is easy and interesting to read. Cheers for the helpful Polish translations.

Whether your interest in Poland is for business, pleasure or genealogy, start with Alicja Deck-Partyka's book, Poland: A Unique Country and its People.

The true value of this intelligent book is its fascinating scope and breadth. The reader will know something about everything Polish; from the history, customs, fine arts, sports, and famous Poles to the 24 authentic recipes towards the end. For those who need more detail, the author includes an impressive 7 pages of bibliography that would endear her to any researcher. This book is an insider's guide to the current realities in Poland.

The business traveler would find this book particularly helpful because the customs and social economics of Poland are well presented for the outsider to grasp. The reader is brought up to date about the government, leading industries, transportation, and the current topics of the day.

The genealogist researching family history would benefit from learning the historical and cultural setting the ancestors lived in. I recommend this user friendly book to genealogists researching Polish records to get oriented to names, places, and events that shaped family heritage that reaches back to Poland.

After reading this book, a polish descendent will buy an airline ticket to Poland for sure.

For any traveler who wants to know more about Poland before you get off the plane, this book would make your homework a pleasure. If you can't do the homework, read this book on the plane. Have a great trip.

In this impressive volume Alicja Deck-Partyka has captured the heart of Poland's culture, people, and history. The book covers a span of history, from the Slavs who occupied the Vistula River basin at the end of the Neolithic Age to the newly organized Independent and Democratic Poland instituted in 1990.

The author has detailed the country's turbulent past. Poland is a country between the East and the West of Europe. Every conflict in Europe has had an impact on Poland, killing people and destroying the country. Significant events in Polish history, wars, battles, and recovery are described. Poles have suffered more than any other nation in the world. Poland has a rich history.

"Poland" is an enormous effort, and an outstanding guide to a better understanding of this heroic country. Extremely well written with thorough and extensive well documented research, the book is divided into five sections: History, geography, government, economy, and culture. Written with both breadth and depth the reader gets an all-inclusive panoramic view of Poland's rich history and people.

I was surprised to learn of Poland's abundance in natural resources, the numerous National Parks, and diversity of wildlife. Deck-Partyka covered the scope of changes in government and the impact these changes have had on Poland's economy.

I particularly enjoyed the section on Polish culture with detailed descriptions of their traditions and customs. A chapter dedicated to Polish proverbs captured some unique wisdom: "A guest sees more in an hour that the host sees in a year." And, "Friends in need get to know each other."

The fine arts, museums, sports, folklore, religion, holidays, social and business etiquette, women's issues, and architecture are among other interesting topics covered by the author.

Another feature Alicja included was an appendix with a biographic glimpse into the lives of some memorable Poles, some Polish recipes, background information on Polish Saints, and a listing of common Polish first names.

Alicja Deck-Partyka has provided the reader with a comprehensive, easy to read captivating glimpse into the country and people of Poland. I highly recommend "Poland" to every American of Polish descent, and to history and social studies readers, teachers, and students everywhere.

"Poland: A Unique Country and Its People" is not only a history book but an encyclopedia of information. This book teaches the history, geography, government, economy and culture of Poland. It's huge, there is more information here than I even thought I wanted to know. There's so much interesting stuff, my favorite parts are: Folklore & Legends, Unique Polish Customs, Social & Business Etiquette, Distinctive Food & Drink and the Polish Recipes. It's great for people with a Polish family history or those who just want to learn more about Poland.

I may be among the few non-academics who have tackled Craig's Politics of the Prussian Army. I decided to give it a go since it is cited in the footnotes of innumerable other works on Prussian-German military history. Craig's narrative flows surprisingly well given the amount of ground to be covered in five hundred pages.

As other reviewers have mentioned, Craig gives short shrift to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, so if you're looking for much on Frederick the Great and his predecessors, you'll need to look elsewhere. He only starts to flesh things out with the post-Jena reforms. That being said, Politics of the Prussian Army can be read through once, and then retained as a reliable reference for any era of Prussian-German military history from 1806-1945.

This work of Craig's is the definitive one volume history for the Prussian Army. You can read lots of books about the different Prussian wars or Prussian history - but they will ALL list this book in the bibliography. So do yourself a favor and read this first.

Gordon Craig is the doyen of America's historians of Germany. Now retired from academic life, he is highly respected at home and in Germany, and is sought after for sound and temperate reviews and commentary in the media. No other survey has superceded The Politics of the Prussian Army, although it is now over 40 years old. (However, Gerhard Ritter's important, multi-volume "Staatskunst und Kriegshandwerk" covers a lot of the same ground, with a more conservative viewpoint. There's an English translation) There are two basic reasons for this, I think. One is of course the book's very high quality. Craig became throughly familiar with all the most important source material available, and his fundamental conclusions are unquestioned: that the army was the keystone and guardian of the Prussian monarchy and its conservative social order, and always at work to hinder the progress of democracy and the achievement of popular over monarchical sovereignty. The authoritarian (N. B.: as distinct from totalitarian!) sympathies and traditions of the Prussian officer corps survived after the end of the Prussian monarchy in 1918 and carried on in the Reichswehr of the Weimar Republic, and then in the Wehrmacht. Eventually the officer corps sold its soul to the "Austrian corporal" (Hindenburg's disdainful reference), Hitler, believing they could control him for their own ends, and that he was in any case the best available political option. But Hitler was nobody's fool, and his ultimate aim always remained to undermine the social authority and prestige of the regular army and in its place install himself, his party, and an absolutely fanaticized and obedient military force (the Waffen-SS). A sense of duty not to Hitler but to the German people and their civilization flamed up and extinguished in the assasination attempt of Oct 1944, led by Wehrmacht officers of the old Prussian nobility. Recent research (in English, cf. for example Omer Bartov) has tended to see more ideological sympathy for Nazism in the officer corps of the Wehrmacht more than Craig does here, though his focus is less on ideology than on the army's involvement in political machinations at the highest level. German historians and journalists are debating this issue at the moment, as new publications argue that the Wehrmacht committed war crimes on a greater scale, esp. on the Eastern front, than previously admitted, and that it fought unrestrained by professional ethos or conscience. A second reason for the book's longevity is that most of the Prussian military archive was destroyed in a 1945 bombing raid, which makes significant new discoveries impossible for the period before World War II. One has to rely on published sources, and as I noted, Craig read the most important of them. New histories of the Prussian army would be new interpretations of the same sources. One could, for example, to take a more sympathetic view of the army's 19th-century ideology and ethos - that it was defensive - in view of Prussia's vulnerable geographical position, the hostility of its neighbors, and the rise of the socialist movement. But in the early 20th century Germany was far and away the dominant power in Europe, and the question arises of what "went wrong" and led to Germany's (in my view) unprovoked attack and reckless strategy in World War I. Note: Despite the title, the book is really a history of the army after 1806, with an introductory chapter on the period before.

Gordon Craig's history of the Prussian officer corps and its relationship with the state it served is a true classic of military history. The primary focus of the book is on the civil-military relations of the Prussian state beginning with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 and tracings its evolution and influence to the Second World War when Hitler and the Nazis crushed the political influence of the officer corps. In addition, the book also addresses a number other issues in exquisite detail, including the formation of the German General Staff, the strategy developed before the First and Second World Wars, and the social conflict of the unified German states.

Craig's conclusions on the Prussian officer corps, their reforms and their performance are rather "standard" as far as historical interpretations go - but that is due in no small part to the fact that the author in many ways set the standard. The most salient theme of the book is that for all the German military got right in planning, strategy and innovation, it was never able to effectively solve the civil-military relationship issue, and it was that failure that led to the disasters of the First and Second World Wars.

In Craig's opinion, the opportunity for success was formulated but squandered early in 19th century. After the devastating defeat at Jena in 1807 at the hands of Napoleon, the once vaunted Prussian military had to assess how and why the disaster had occurred. The solution presented by the great military reformer Scharnhorst was the institutionalization of military genius in a centralized, elite general staff and the accountability of the armed services to the German people through an oath of allegiance to a republican constitution, rather than personal fealty to the monarch. The former was adopted and proved a stunning success, especially in the wars against the Danes, Austrians and French in 1866-1872. However, the conservative officer corps' unwillingness to embrace the more liberal reform set forth by Scharnhorst kept the military at odds with the nation it served and ultimately led to the military's political dominance in World War I and political subjugation in World War II.

If you have a keen interest in civil-military relations, German history, or the development of the General Staff system this book is simply indispensable.

This excellent volume was one of my textbooks in college, and I completely underestimated its importance for years. Being deeply involved and interested in Napoleonic military history and the campaigns of the Grande Armee, I have again started to use this book as there is now a 'revisionist' (read 'excuse')school of Prussian history beginning to emerge, revolving around the disastrous, for the Prussians, Jena campaign of 1806. For this period, and indeed for the periods up to the end of World War II, this book is invaluable.

The author uses myriad German source material for his references, and the story he tells is accurate, lively, and riveting. He knows his material, and his subject, and is unflinching in calling a spade a spade when necessary. While I am only interested in those portions relating to the Napoleonic period and its immediate aftermath, students of the Prussian/German Army will find this book invaluable.

Craig's bona fides are impeccable and he writes with authority, verve, and accuracy. His analysis of the Prussian Army's beginnings in the aftermath of the Thirty Years' War set the definition and trends for what the Prussian Army would become, something apart from the people of Prussia and an army supported by a dynastic state. His demonstration of the effectiveness of the instrument under the Great Frederick, and of his policies, and those of his successors after the Seven Years' War, tell the tale of why is became nothing more than a 'parade ground facade', made up of half-foreign mercenary strength, which were two of the many reasons for its defeat and destruction by Napoleon and the Grande Armee in 1806.

The coverage of the Prussian reformers is also excellent, and dispels many myths, some of which unforunately are resurfacing under the guise of 'recent scholarship.' The War of Liberation from Napoleon was in actuality a war of liberating whatever German territory Prussia could grab in the chaos of the aftermath of French hegemony in western Germany (they took the Rhineland, most of Westphalia, and about half of Saxony, keeping the Saxon king, Napoleon's ally, as a prisoner of war). Additionally, force had to be used in Prussia to get the manpower required to fight the Grande Armee. The end of the tale is also excellently told-that of how the reformers, so necessary to Prussian resurgence, were treated and eventually disposed of politically, the Prussian monarchy almost completely retrenching to pre-1806 'values.'

All in all this is an excellent volume for students and historians of the period or of the Prussian/German army in particular. It is highly recommended.

In 1917, the German Air Service found itself outnumbered by the Allies air forces, so they reorganzied into highly mobile fighter wings relying on concentration of force to achieve their objectives. The first of these pooled four squadrons (Jastas 4,6,10 and 11) to form a fighter wing,Jagdgeschwade Nr. 1.
While writing Fokker Fodder, I found this book to be my best reference for German aerial activity, because it details not only locations, but aircraft types, Albatros, Pfalz and Fokker, the combats of the Richthofens, Udet and Goering, and, best of all, over a hundred photographs of the principals. Color plates of their aircraft enlighten the text.
I found it not only a great reference, but also an enjoyable read.

This is one of the best Osprey Publishing titles I have ever read! Greg VanWyngarden has put together an excellent and valuable resource book. I am acquainted with the author and know that he is a dedicated World War One Aero historian. He has meticulously assembled in these pages what the old Harleyford books did for their era. Within the scope and limitations of the Osprey series, he has presented the principal pilots, events, and aircraft of the Richthofen Circus. R.A. Forczyk's review is, as usual, very thorough. He points out very well the pros and cons of the book. I think the book deserves the highest rating for the excellent archival photos employed, the first hand accounts (the pilot's own words) and of course the color aircraft profiles are fantastic. They are beautifully executed. The Circus had the most colorful planes of the war. Greg VanWyngarden has very well synchronized the text / story and photos. Once you start reading this book you won't be able to put it down and you won't be able to resist peeking at the profiles either! I have reviewed other Osprey aviation titles. You can check out my other reviews if you wish. I would also recommend these titles by Greg VanWyngarden. You can click on their links! Pfalz Scout Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces) Early German Aces of World War I (Aircraft of the Aces) and Albatros Aces of World War 1 Part 2 (Aircraft of the Aces) Part 1 is by Norman Franks, another distinguished aero historian! Albatros Aces of World War I (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 32) If you want more details on Richthofen, "The Red Baron" another interesting book is IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE RED BARON (Battleground Europe). There is also available Richthofen's own book! The Red Fighter Pilot: The Autobiography of the Red Baron

A fantastic publication. Far more accurate than other books on the same subject. The information about the unit is very informative and the color plates are wonderful.

Vanwyngarden's 'Richtofen's Circus': Jagdeschwader Nr.1 (of the Aviation Elite Unit series) is a valuable little resource for those interested in WW1 aviation, providing a clear basic knowledge of the pilots and operations of the various Jastas which made up this legendary unit. Good photographs, interesting text, well worth the purchase.

Eighty-nine years ago today, Manfred von Richthofen's (the "Red Baron") German army flight group was dismantled with its loss in World War 1. Greg Van Wyngarden's "Richthofen's Circus" (2004, 128-page paperback) is a fascinating read about those pilots and planes.

Presenting a day-to-day account the author offers an intimate look into the lives of JG 1's pilots, victories at war, air war strategies, and the various "areoplanes" flown from June 24th, 1917 to November 19, 1918. Wyngarden uses airmen diaries, German ace interviews, flyers' family anecdotes, and official German army materials to document this interesting story.

The Red Baron (he was the leading German flying ace with 80 kills), his command, his planes, and his battle strategies are thoroughly reviewed. Many German flyers' careers, including Hermann Goring's, are presented (Obr. Lt. Goring briefly led the flight group after Richthofen's death). Each plane (Albatros, Pfalz, and Fokker) used by the Richthofen group is analyzed. Engine power, flight maneuverability, exterior color schemes, and pilot symbolage are presented. In the end, the Allies simply had better machinery and larger numbers (reducing the Red Baron's flight group to difficult fighting levels) for winning WW1.

Perhaps the best portions of this informative book are the many black and white period photos (over 125 total!) and the 46 colored airplane drawings. Also, the researcher will find helpful the various appendix lists.

This book is recommended to all World War 1 students, biplane and triplane aficionados, and Red Baron enthusiasts.

What are the premier world destinations for tourists? Among them, of course, is Rome. Most of us have neither the time nor the money to visit Rome, but it's fun to imagine such a visit.

Rome With Kids, published in 2007, is written by a resident of Rome. It is a 240-page little glossy book with color photos or maps on virtually every page.

Ms. Pasquesi divides Rome into four parts and describes a walking tour for each part.
Part One: Ancient Rome, including the Forum and the Colosseum
Part Two: Medieval & Renaissance Rome, including the Piazza Navona and the Pantheon
Part Three: Baroque & Modern Rome, including the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps
Part Four: Papal Rome, including St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums, and Castel Sant'Angelo

I never before realized that tourists can climb clear to the lantern above the cupola atop St. Peter's Dome.

Author Pasquesi gives brief histories of each major painting, statue, or edifice. The first few pages of her book give biographical sketches of the few emperors, artists, and popes who were the major players in commissioning the construction of the buildings or creating the works of art.

We recently travelled to Rome with our four children, aged 10 and under. An ambitious (crazy?) challenge to begin with, we were worried about battling crowds and wasting time at sites that would tire or bore the kids. This book was an invaluable source of helpful hints for avoiding lines, narrowing down overwhelming tourist traps to just the parts that the kids would find interesting, and suggesting quick places for family friendly snacking, resting, or pit-stopping based on where we decided to go each day. It was easy to reference, and even our well-seasoned travelling companion was impressed by the "back door" tips it had to offer for navigating popular sites. There were days that my husband and I had to admit that the book was our family's lifesaver!

My daughter (11) and I loved planning our trip to Rome with this book! It ended up being the only book we carried with us as we toured the Eternal City. The information was great with wonderful tidbits to keep the interest level high. There are terrific pictures throughout although without a frame of reference for size, we were always surprised to find out something was MUCH bigger than we thought it was going to be! That was always good for a laugh.
Since we were staying nearby, the recomended gelato stand between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona became our regular nightcap and it is the best in the city! Great tip! We even sent another family there.
We homeschool so this was our field trip and this book was invaluable for our needs. Our copy has been our notebook and is full of written notes, highlighting, post-it notes, and drawings. Thank goodness the printing is such great quality. We wouldn't part with it for anything!
Ciao!

Rome With Kids is a guide to making the most of one's visit to Rome, the great seat of Western civilization, written especially for parents with children in tow. Color photographs and maps enhance the step-by-step itineraries, recommendations for kid-friendly activities, advice on viewing the finest museum collections before the kids burn out, tips on where to shop or rent bikes, and much more. Written by mother and former Rome resident J.M. Pasquesi, Rome with Kids is enthusiastically recommended to parents for its attention to detail and ease of use.

I was amazed at this book! If you are planning a trip to Rome this book is for you! I think it is great for Kids of all ages, that includes Moms Dads and Grandparents, I loved the format. Rome can be a little daunting at times, And this book can help in keeping everyone happy intertained and well fed! Just a great book!