Prague in Black and Gold: Scenes from the Life of a European City

by Peter Demetz

Book Overview

From the Velvet Revolution to the disturbing world of Franz Kafka, from the devestation of the Thirty Years War to the musical elegance of Mozart and Dvorak, Prague is steeped in a wealth of history... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0809016095
• Release Date: March 1998
• Publisher: Hill and Wang
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 1.0" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Prague in Black and Gold

Millions of visitors come to Prague each year drawn by its rich cultural heritage and visual splendour, yet knowing little of its extraordinary past. In this erudite, paradoxical history Peter Demetz dispels the popular sentimental image of his hometown as he tells the story of this great city from its origins through the devastation of the Thirty Years' War, the elegant eras of Mozart and Dvorak and the bleak, modern city depicted in Kafka's work, to the euphoria of the Velvet Revolution of 1989. --- from book's back cover

Prague: More Black than Gold

Professor Demetz is especially strong in exploring the religious history of the city. I wondered how he could be so erudite in explaining both the Hussite revolt against Catholicism and Rabbi Loew's conflict with the Jewish establishment. He explained in his beautiful, elegiac afterword that his father's family was Christian; his mother's, Jewish. He spent time in a Nazi labor camp for half-Jews. My suggestion would be to read the afterword first. The bibliography is also very helpful, with rather blunt appraisals of cited works.

A comprehensive piece on Czech people and history

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.

A Must Read if you're visiting Prague

Despite its heft, discursive style, and lack of illustrations, read this before you visit Prague. You will understand more of the magic of this wonderful city, and how its one thousand years of history made it the special place it is. Your bus tour may take you to the Old Jewish Burial Ground, the Municipal House, the opera house, the castle, the cathedral, the simple church where Jan Huys preached. This book will give meaning to these sights. The only book I can think to compare this to, in its depth, understanding of European history, and understanding of geography, is Rebecca West's Black Lamb, Grey Falcon.

this is wonderful history book, easy to read and understand

Everyone should read this wonderful book. Hurray to Peter Demetz.I was fascinated by his detailed acuracy.