Welcome to Litsy!

This book is a sort of romp through German history, geography, art and conspicuous personalities. The author is neither German nor a historian, but he is well traveled across Central Europe and demonstrates what seems to be a good grasp of the terrain and culture. This book is good and humorous, playful even, but it is very dense, each chapter or essay taking some time to digest before moving onto the next. Incidentally, Winder does not cover WW2.

I can‘t say I wasn‘t warned. The above sentence appears in the introduction. While the methodology of the surveys is important for academics and the differences in interpretation of the data by the 2 authors points to some issues, this book is not readable. And it doesn‘t offer me any ideas on how to safely resist. How anyone can make such horror so dry is beyond me. The information is good, but if you put people to sleep they won‘t absorb it.

(sings) That‘s nobody‘s business but the Turks…

I am touring the Vienna Habsburg Schönbrunn castle and it has changed my brain for what I am going to picture when a book says a Dovecote/ aviary.

This was okay. About the last son of the Habsburg dynasty, and what a complete ass he was. He unfortunately took his wife and mistress down with him, his mistress much more so. I do think the authors make a good point about people needing a purpose and if these old guards keep gripping tight to everything the new generation flounders. But maybe I am looking too deep given my country's current climate.
Good if you like a rich family drama

Trying to read. Irene wants attention.

Up next for reading

Interesting history of the Black Plague outbreak in Europe in the mid-1300s. I liked all the quotes and stories about individuals living at the time. Kelly also devotes an appropriate amount of text to the cruel atrocities committed by Christians against Jews using wild conspiracy theories as their excuse.

repost for @Cuilin

#BookedInTime

We are going a-Viking, to travel, explore and possibly raid!! I‘ve Blood Eye lined up as I enjoyed other books by Giles Kristian. What are you reading?