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

by Peter Demetz

Prague is at the core of everything both wonderful and terrible in Western history, but few people truly understand this city's unique culture. In Prague in Black and Gold , Peter Demetz strips away sentimentalities and distortions and shows how Czechs, Germans, Italians, and Jews have lived and worked together for over a thousand years. .

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Travel, Cities, Czech Literature, European History, Politics

432 pages, Paperback

First published July 11, 1997

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good history of Prague, especially with focus to the various ethnic groups that composed the population of this great city throughout its history; to understand how Prague evolved in terms of polity and culture, this book is essential, though in places dry. There is no doubt the author—a professor of German literature who was born and grew up in Prague—knows his stuff, but in places it can come across as dry while in other instances, the author does assume the reader already knows a wealth about Czech history. To be fair, Dr. Demetz warns of us this trajectory somewhat: he states his reasoning in writing this encompassing history is to cover the sociocultural nuances of Prague's evolution, which would seem to portend that the reader comes with some grounding in the city's history already. For those who don't have this background, I'd recommend the book A History of the Czech Lands, though be warned: anyone who thinks Demetz's book is stuffy or obtuse will probably be put off even more by the "Czech Lands" book. Together, the two books will provide a wealth of background though in key portions of Czech history.

For the Slavic scholar in contrast, Demetz's book will just scratch the surface of Prague's lengthy history but will offer unique insight into the cultural atmosphere that many crucial political events transpired within. In any case, it's overall a well-written, very well-researched volume.

[Елвира · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really wonderful account of the history and culture of one of my most favourite cities.
Despite the enormous quantity of facts, names and information, it is written in an easy to read and a smooth, witty way. A crossroad of many nationalities/ethnicites, Prague has been a place of victories and downfalls, of deplorable wars and enticing culture. I finally understood the nature of the Czech-German relations and intertwining, which were very obscure to me before. They are very old indeed, dating somewhere back to second half of the Early Middle Ages. The nature of the religious wars (Hussite and Thirty years' war) is also very elaborately described, and I dare say they're the second more disgusting thing to me after the French revolution.

Oh, I am so in love with Bohemia!



PS. However, I still insist on the fact that it is very wrong to say St. Cyril and St. Methodius (mentioned in the very beginning of the book) were of a Greek origin. (It is not yet confirmed at all, plus there is also some difference between "Greek" and "Byzantine", which should be observed by historians. Usually it is said they have orthodox (father) and maybe slav (mother) origin, but the truth is yet to be discovered).

[Nicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating.

I obtained this book solely to read chapter three on Charles IV and it did not disappoint. It could hardly fail to delight as there is so little written about this remarkable monarch in English and this is one of those volumes.

This is a serious study on the history of Prague and, where helpful, the rest of the country and other relevant places. It is not a tourist manual. Deep and academic it can be heavy going and even with the author's helpful guide to Czech pronunciation the Czech names are a handful. The author's own feelings towards his home city are poignant and moving.

A heavy book but contains some wonderful snippets. I rather like the queen whose party trick in front of visiting dignitaries was bending horseshoes and iron bars with her bare hands. Very queenly.

[Malcolm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prague, even with mass tourism, stag parties, and the McDonaldization of Wenceslas Square, remains one of Europe's most marvellous cities. Demetz takes us through parts of its labyrinthine, gorgeous, politically central history. The more I visit, the more the city grows on me and the more Demetz's glorious book comes to life.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, solid and readable history of Prague from mythical beginnings up to 1938. Largely concentrates on some key eras including Charles IV, the Hussites, Rudolf II, 1849 and Masaryk’s Prague. On a visit it certainly helps to make the city a lot more intelligible.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book in a small Prague bookshop and found it an excellent and in-depth description of the history of Prague. I learnt so much more about Charles IV, Jan Hus, Rusolf II and Kafka. I learnt how the Czechs, Germans and Jews have always mingled around in this city. I learnt that economic incentives (read: tax breaks) have always been used by ancient kings to help persuade citizen to settle in newly expanded land. I learnt that the Jews have always been the victim of anti-semitism even in the Medieval Age, even Empress Maria Theresa wanted to chase them out until economic considerations save them. I appreciate Prague now much more.

[Mackay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I will visit Prague soon, thought it best to know something of the place. This is an interesting, though densely written, introduction. As the title suggests, it is not a linear nor complete history, but scenes and issues the author find compelling, such as the mythic past, the literary traditions of the medieval era, the question of the Jewish denizens of Prague, and so on. Demetz states in his introduction that he wishes to convey both the bright (gold) and dark (black) of Prague's long history, and that he succeeds in very well.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great intro to the history of Prague.

[MrsEnginerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great historical review/overview of the city. Lobkowicz Palace and other museum visits would compliment the areas that are lacking. I recommend you read this prior to a trip to the city, especially if you want to recreate history.

[Sezin Koehler · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is such a dry and colorless book about incredible Prague I almost didn't finish it. The author—who hadn't lived in Prague for decades when he wrote the book—must have forgotten what the city actually feels like to have written this sterile account of its history.

[Brad Rousse · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed and thorough history of Prague from prehistory to the birth of independent Czechoslovakia. Demetz does a masterful job describing the events, places and people that have given rise to the Mother of Cities as we know her today. I read this as part of my preparation to move to Prague earlier this year, and I must say it pre prepared me very well. My two main complaints would be there is, at times, far too much detail and the narrative can get sidetracked. Further, to make the argument that Prague is a key city of Western Civilization while completely ignoring WWII, the Prague Spring, Havel, and the city today seems to be shooting your case in the foot. However, if you want to know more about the history of Prague, here's your book.

[Qing Wang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book strikes an excellent balance between events and individuals, also depicts the atmosphere and topographies of the city with feeling and detail. I would say this is among the best I ever read regarding history of a city (and its peoples, three in this case).

The personal relationship of the author with the city also brings in something touching. Apart from all the intriguing main chapters, I also enjoyed reading the epilogue about the author’s difficult return to Prague after 40 years abroad. It’s not the same anymore, it could not be, and it will never be. Yet some of it has become something inside, something one always carries around no matter where he is, who he has become.

[Nancy Bielski · Rating 3 out of 5]

This took me about a year and a half to read. It's very dense, and more of a cultural history than I expected.

[Kubah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title is misleading - the book mainly concentrates on important rulers of Bohemia rather than on "the history of a city." That said, the book does cover important milestones of Prague´s growth up to the First Republic, and special attention igs paid to Prague Germans, Jews and even Italians, whose vital role in the history of the city is sometimes underrated by Czech authors. There are some factual mistakes in the book (Anežka was canonized in 1989, not in 1990; U.S. air raid over Prague happened in February 1945, not February 1944; Kutna Hora is east of Prague, not west, etc.), but all in all, the book was a very enjoyable read.

[Richard Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fine, discursive history of the city and environs.

[Jos dujardin · Rating 3 out of 5]

For those who have time to read an excellent introduction to Prague and middle european history, this is your book. For those with a love for literature and writers on the same topic, for sure this is your book. The great perspective of this book is its chapters of main parts of Czech history. It doesn’t follow a chronological order, it decides to focus on the main highlights: Presmylids[Otakar, Vaclav II), Luxembourg rulers ( John the blind, Charles iv), Rudollf II, Mozart, 1848, Masayrek. When you are not impressed by authors and literature, you can fast read a lot of pages. the best part of the book is on p 365 where the author describes his return to Prague, very moving and emotional.

[Glenn Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful history of Prague from Roman days to the modern era with key chapters on post Roman, key leaders, the Hus Rebellion, 1848 and more. A great deal of insight into the arts, the language and the challenges of keep the Czech culture, language and arts alive. The book did not go much into the Nazi or Soviet era as it appeared to be too painful for the writer who lost many friends to the Nazi's.
A wonderful book which makes one want to visit Prague.

[Lysergius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illuminates the multiple layers of the history of Prague, while attempting to cut through the recently applied layers of tourist satisfying mystical nonsense, Golems and alchemists and so on.

The book is organised as 8 chapters and a postscript, covering the periods from pre-history to the events of 1989.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather dry, pretty obscure information about the history of Prague. Good news: under 400 pages of reading. My spouse will not spend the time to read the book, but we have visited Prague and Czech Republic and 'Prague in Black and Gold' does help fill in the blanks about local history and what we saw on our trip.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very dense read but worthwhile if you have any interest in the history of Eastern and Central Europe with a particular bent towards the arts. The names require some concentration and I needed to re-read parts several times, hence the slow pace (I also have 4 books on the go) but worth it.

[Riku Sarlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prahan matkaan valmistautumista... Melko haastava mutta palkitseva opus Prahan historiasta. Eipä ole kovin yksinkertainen historia tälläkään kaupungilla.

[Chris Linehan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a solid history textbook that really showcased to me my ignorance of Bohemian and Central European history. I knew a little before I read it; and, yet I thought I knew much more. While some of Demetz’s references and allusions went right over my head he did an excellent job of painting broad strokes of the history of Prague and whetted my appetite for more. Usually I am drawn to more ancient history and the chapters leading up to the Hussite revolution were probably my favorite, but I found myself very interested in the Hapsburg era as well.

The writing is generally good, in a textbook sort of way. Some of the demystifying of Prague left me a little hostile, as I’m eagerly anticipating my Prague trip in just over a month, but as there are copious amounts of magical histories of Prague, I guess one like this is necessary.

In his section on Mozart in Prague, he tells an anecdote about the first play performed in Prague in the Czech language. (Without spoiling the history of Bohemia, a history of language plays a pivotal role in the history of the city and the national identity.) The play, called Kníže Honzík is a play with a love triangle of sorts and deals with an ambitious dreamer. In the end though the dreamer is happy with his fiancée, declaring to her, “You are my dukedom, my beer, and my pot roast”. I guffawed when I read that line and am inscribing it in my memory banks with the hope that I will find occasion to steal it to declare my love for Erin some time.

What is great about this book is that it has informed me enough to want more. Being just the second history book of Prague I’ve read I find myself more and more fascinated with this city’s history. Like any good teacher Peter Demetz has left enough questions unanswered to demand I learn more.

[Heather Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book to expand my knowledge of history. Unfortunately, this book repeatedly confused me. Often times I felt my eyes drifting from word to word, sentence to sentence without comprehending what was being written. It's not the author's fault. They sought out to make the book a comprehensive book about Prague which is commendable. However, as someone who is not a staunch academic this book did little to educate me. I think the biggest obstacle was the flow. Some sentences are five lines long. A bit much. Then there's the jumping of centuries. We're in the 12th century, now we're making reference to a 16th century playwrite before moving to the 19th century. Okay, we're back to the 12th century as the author was saying. For hard academics who can manage such writing more power to you.
#dnf

[Erik Champenois · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good history of Prague, impressionistically covering episodes from Prague's history from earliest times to just before World War II. Gives you a sense of the changing architecture of the city along with the different events that took place there. The book doesn't really introduce its subjects, but delves straight into events, often referring to people as though the reader already knows them. As a result, it doesn't feel like an introductory book as much as a book written to academic colleagues as well as a book reminiscing about the country of the author's youth. Still, significant parts of the book can be enjoyed by the introductory reader as well.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the blend of the myth and the reality in the telling of Prague’s history. The only downside is the book is filled with copious amounts of information, but it is presented in a way the reader either already should have a general understanding of Eastern European history, or will need to regularly rely on Google for their own annotations. One element that stands out from other historical books was how the author weaved his own life and experiences with the history of the city which really added to the journey through Prague.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but a bit frustrating. This history of Prague tends to spiral a bit, leaping ahead and doubling back, dropping references that don't make sense to someone not well-versed in Czech history and then explaining them 40 pages later. Some periods are described in exhaustive detail, others basically skipped. There's a certain assumption that the reader has a grade school knowledge of Bohemia, which I don't think most English-speakers have.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this book was like hacking through a wall of thorns. It was very informative, and with about six editors it could have been a good book. Unfortunately, it's disorganized, meandering, and in general so hard to follow that by the end I was breaking each sentence down to its individual clauses just to understand what was going on. I do feel like I know a lot more about the city now, though.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Extremely detailed, almost oppressively so. Most suitable for academicians who devote their lives to the study of this region's political, social, religious, and linguistic evolution. For the lay reader desiring an introduction to Prague, it is an interminable slog through every minute action of the periods covered.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was on a suggested reading list for a tour I am taking of Central Europe. The history starts in 880 and ends in 1989. The story of Prague is also the story of Central Europe and the Habsburg monarchy. There is more information than is possible to absorb and is slow reading, but I now have useful background for my trip.

[Alan Fricker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holiday reading. Enjoyed making the connections to places visited but probably a bit too detailed for my needs. I lacked the overall framework at times for some of the elements being explained in depth