Originally, I wanted to read this book before I started to travel in Germany. Let me to have more of the historical background of Germany, but I had to use the more time for prepare the travel plan and read the travel books. So I could read it after I finished my trip. When I read this book, play back the memories from the journey, let me to understand about the power, failure, prosperity and pain of Germany. This book can give me a basic understanding of German history, and let me know more about the rise and fall of Germany in the past. And how to stand in front of people again in a short time after each fall to the lowest.