Description: This comprehensive political, social, and cultural history traces Prague's origins in the ninth century through the end of the Cold War. Highlights include the golden ages of Charles IV and Rudolph II; the religious conflicts of the Hussite and Thirty Years Wars; the rich culture of Europe's largest Jewish community; the rivalry between the city's German and Czech speakers; the World Wars and Nazi occupation; and the Communist era. Prague: The Heart of Europe highlights the complex culture of the city where Mozart premiered his magnificent Don Giovanni and where Franz Kafka wrote his foreboding tales.
Review Quotes: "Comprehensive and engaging...Prague: The Heart of Europe is a timely reminder of history's moments of resplendent glory as well as its ignominious defeats." -- Rory MacLean, Times Literary Supplement
"In this gem of a book, Cynthia Paces has accomplished a remarkable feat: while recognizing Prague's reputation as a 'magic' 'mysterious' 'golden' city, she presents its long history as a place that also saw conflict, exploitation, and suffering, whose present-day appearance is shaped by all these historical experiences, and by the various peoples who have called it home. The scope of Paces's work is unique in the field. If visiting Prague should be on every traveler's bucket list, this book should be required pre-departure reading." -- Hugh LeCaine Agnew, Author of The Czechs and the Lands of the Bohemian Crown"Cynthia Paces treats masterfully the panorama of Prague's history from the earliest traces to the post-communist era. Its lucid prose depicts vividly the interplay of political, social, and economic developments while offering as well a sensitive account of the city's rich cultural life and its linguistic and religious diversity over the centuries." -- Gary B. Cohen, Author of The Politics of Ethnic Survival: Germans in Prague, 1861-1914"This deeply researched, beautifully illustrated, and thoughtfully written book should attract the attention of specialists and others interested in Prague, one of Europe's most fascinating cities. Readers of Cynthia Paces's elegant new socio-cultural history are guaranteed to fall in love with 'Golden Prague.'" -- Nancy Wingfield, Author of Flag Wars and Stone Saints: How the Bohemian Lands Became Czech"A balanced, comprehensive history book that celebrates a city's lasting cultural contributions, Prague covers shifts in power, brutal historical moments, and architectural feats with acuity." -- Foreword Reviews"A concise and highly readable comprehensive account of a complex city." -- Rebekah Kati, Library Journal"Cynthia Paces... relates Prague in swift, readable strokes through a narrative that inevitably becomes the story of the nation now known as the Czech Republic." -- Dave Luhrssen, Shepherd Express"Fascinating fodder for European-history buffs and important context for the millions of tourists that flock to the city each year." -- Rebecca Shapiro, Columbia Magazine"Prague: The Heart of Europe is a timely reminder of history's moments of resplendent glory as well as its ignominious defeats." -- Rory MacLean, Times Literary Supplement"A guide through the city's many lives, reminding us why millions of people stream through Prague's streets every year." -- Luka Ivan Jukic, The Wall Street Journal"A wonderful companion guide for those getting acquainted with the city for the first time." -- Anna West, CEU Review of Books"This elegantly written book surveys a dozen centuries of Prague's history, creating a reliable synthesis based on the best current scholarship. ... Excellent illustrations and maps enhance the volume." -- P. W. Knoll, CHOICE