Why The Germans Do It Better (notes From A Grown-up Country)

By (author) John Kampfner; By (author) Kampfner John
Short description/annotation
A provocative and entertaining exploration of the country that Britons love to hate by one of our most respected journalists.
Description

***THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER***
BOOK OF THE YEAR IN GUARDIAN, ECONOMIST & NEW STATESMAN

''Excellent and provocative... a passionate, timely book.'' Sunday Times
''A fine new book... thoughtful, deeply reported and impeccably even-handed.'' The Times

Emerging from a collection of city states 150 years ago, no other country has had as turbulent a history as Germany or enjoyed so much prosperity in such a short time frame. Today, as much of the world succumbs to authoritarianism and democracy is undermined from its heart, Germany stands as a bulwark for decency and stability.

Mixing personal journey and anecdote with compelling empirical evidence, this is a critical and entertaining exploration of the country many in the West still love to hate. Raising important questions for our post-Brexit landscape, Kampfner asks why, despite its faults, Germany has become a model for others to emulate, while Britain fails to tackle contemporary challenges. Part memoir, part history, part travelogue, Why the Germans Do It Better is a rich and witty portrait of an eternally fascinating country.

Table of contents
1: Rebuilding and Remembering 2: Mutti''s Warm Embrace 3: Multikulti 4: No Longer a Child 5: The Wonder 6: The Dog Doesn''t Eat the Dog 7: No More Pillepalle
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Excellent and provocative... a passionate, timely book.
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A fine new book... One of the best English-language introductions in recent years to modern Germany and its politics: thoughtful, deeply reported and impeccably even-handed.
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A rich guide to modern Germany... For the British readers this book is directed at, the implied contrasts are startling. German conservatism produced Angela Merkel, easily the most respected democratic leader in the world, while the English variety produced Boris Johnson.
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Highly readable and well-informed... [Kampfner] mixes historical sweep with vivid reporting to celebrate Germany''s strengths and achievements.
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A revelation of a book... with insights based on painstaking research and evidence gleaned from months crisscrossing the country... Kampfner''s analysis is simply peerless.
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A nuanced but compelling account... Kampfner marshals a convincing argument that other countries would be foolish to ignore Germany''s emotional maturity and solidity.
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Authoritative, timely and courageous, this is a compellingly readable book that raises profoundly important questions on history, our times and the future.
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A lively, affectionate portrait... A paeon to Germany.
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Passionate yet carefully argued, Why The Germans Do It Better is a must-read.
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A well-argued case for learning from our German cousins.
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Smart, provocative and entertaining, this is a timely and enthralling love letter to our much misunderstood near neighbour.
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A forensic and highly readable account of Germany''s ability to get things right. Kampfner''s clear and unanswerable argument should be compulsory reading for every politician, civil servant and commentator in Britain.
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We need a great book on Germany as the Mer