Hamburg

by Matthew Jefferies

Utterly destroyed by fire twice over, in 1842 and 1943, Hamburg has shaken off a reputation as a drab, businesslike port to become a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with a thriving cultural scene. This erudite, informative guidebook charts the city's traumatic history, describes its landmark buildings and varied districts, from the elegant Alster to the notorious Reeperbahn, and explores literary and artistic associations, including Heinrich Heine and the Beatles.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 30, 2011

Reviews

[Ted · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is a professor of German History at the University of Manchester, who first visited Hamburg in 1981. He returned for an undergraduate year at Hamburg University three years later when his experiences formed the basis for this book. Though published in 2011, the book is still a concise review of the city’s history, key citizens, industries, neighborhoods, and culture. Mr. Jefferies writes succinctly while expanding when necessary. In 229 pages the reader (perhaps supported by Apple or Google maps) will come away with appreciation and much knowledge of this remarkable city.