'This groundbreaking and impressive book tells the city's story, from its origins until the present, like a tragic drama, sweeping and inevitable, yet punctured by Richie's sceptical analysis, her mocking wit, and a cogent dissection of its urban myths. It is an enthralling mixture. No one interested in Germany and its place in Europe can afford to ignore this mesmerizing book.'
JACKIE WULLSCHLAGER, 'Financial Times'

'Beautifully conceived and marvellously researched. I havn't read a better book on Berlin.'
GORDON A. CRAIG

'This is a wonderfully rich book. Anyone who has ever felt the attraction of Berlin will revel in it. Those who have not will do so as a result of reading it'.
ALLAN MASSIE, 'Daily Telegraph'

'Richie writes with passion and erudition. Every page confirms the importance of history and geography in determining the character of a city and the attitudes of its inhabitants'.
PHILIP MANSEL, 'Independent'

'A comprehensive history of Germany, its peoples, its faults, its Faustian dilemmas. Richie clearly knows the city and its history well'.
RALF DAHRENDOR, 'Sunday Times'

'The scope is vast but the argument is coherent. This is an exceptional book'.
JUSTIN CARTWRIGHT, 'Observer'

'Richie navigates an ocean of facts with panache. Her work is strong on culture and intellectual history... A joy to read'
JOSEF JOFFE, 'Prospect'

'Richie's book makes imperative reading'
TIM ASHLEY, 'Literary Review'

'Engrossing, authoritative and a good read'
Richard Lamb, 'Spectator'

'No one must be put off this book by its length. There are no longueurs and Richie thinks clearly and writes elegantly'
ANN TUSA, 'New Statesman'

'Richie has done brilliant work...the material is all fascinating and she is an excellent descriptive writer'
IAN BURUMA, 'New York Review of Books'