German Shepherd: A Guided Tour Through Germany and Austria with a Faithful Companion

by Elizabeth Bingham

Libby and Micki are back in Europe, this time touring Germany and Austria. Following the call of beer, pretzels, and "The Sound of Music," they start off in Berlin, fly to Munich, and then brave the Autobahn through Bavaria and Austria. They stay with Libby's beloved German "mother," hearing her vivid first-hand accounts of life as a child refugee after WWII and then as an adult in the police state of East Germany. Their stay--and their story--weave back and forth between East and West, between past and present, in a fascinating historical overview. In Bavaria they delve into the life of King Ludwig II (the "crazy" king who might have been murdered) and battle the hordes at his fairy tale castle. In Austria they explore the glorious landscape celebrated in one of the most famous movies of all time. And through it all, despite wilting heat, incessant rain, their typical travel confusion, and recurring sleep deprivation, they get a rich taste of local life and a heaping helping of Gemütlichkeit.

282 pages, Paperback

Published May 28, 2017

Reviews

[Amy Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first travel memoir that I have read. For someone who wants to travel to Germany, this is a great book to make you feel like you are there from the safety of your own home! I love how the author includes her own voice in the narrative, as well as switching to a more serious tone when she talks about the history. This book intertwines her adventure with Micki, as well as the history which makes the places they go to even more enjoyable to read. Going along with the author’s voice, I also liked the sense of humor that she had. In a way, it made this book read like a diary of one writing about their adventures.
Overall, if you are interested in learning about Germany, their culture, and the adventure of two people from the good old state of Iowa, this book is for you!