Revolutionary Berlin: A Walking Guide

by Nathaniel Flakin

'Inspirational - with a deliciously bone-dry Berlinische humour' - Owen Hatherley

Few European cities can boast a history as storied and tumultuous as that of Berlin. For more than 150 years it has been at the center of revolutionary politics; of era-defining struggles between the Left and the Right. It has been bombed, rebuilt and carved in two.

In Revolutionary Berlin , veteran tour guide Nathaniel Flakin invites you to stand in the places where this history was written, and to follow in the footsteps of those who helped write it. Through nine self-guided tours illustrated with maps and photographs, readers enter the heady world of 19th century anti-colonial struggles, the 1918 November Revolution and the 1987 May Day riots - encountering the city's workers, queer community and radical women along the way.

The first English-language guidebook to tell the story of Berlin's radical history, this is a must-have for Berliners and visitors alike.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Germany, Politics, Travel

296 pages, Paperback

Published April 21, 2022

Reviews

[Victor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that not only meets but exceeds the high expectations promised by its title.

[Kevin M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turns out I didn't actually know what a socialist was.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching and authentic. It's everything you would want it to be based on the premise. I've walked with this book in various parts of the city with immense pleasure (and occasionally, sorrow).

[Estelle Cooch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. Far surpassed by expectations

[Lew Stanisława · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I give this 10 stars? I love this book. I love it. I first came across it at the Pluto Press, and then bumped into Nathaniel's walks once I moved to Berlin. The walks themselves are AWESOME, and it is just such a pleasure to see the city from this beautiful, radical perspective. The book is an absolute gem, really well researcherd, written in a super captivating way, delivering to the critical communist tastes (thank you!). I read this really slowly and always keep it at hand when in need of an idea for walk. I have learnt so much about the history and spots of this amazing, horrible, eternally apocalyptic, best city in the world.

[Oscar Jelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise, shocking and energising account of the German capital's radical history, written by an unabashedly partisan American Trotskyist who does not mince his words. Only slightly marred by occasional editorial lapses and the lack of a bibliography or 'further reading' section - Flakin tantalises with admirably clear treatments of various political movements and moments, but rarely tells us where we can go to find out more. A missed entryist opportunity, surely?

[Hanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book, especially if you know Berlin. Really cool to learn about all the (revolutionary) places around the city, the struggles that happened here, and how some of the places have been preserved. Everything I wanted to know about Berlin and more.

[Tom Ashton-Davies]

No rating - for uni. Loved however.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read with loads of interesting information about radical sites in Berlin. I read this before going and we did the Queer Berlin walk and Riots in Kreuzberg walk. The actual walks did not make a load of sense (there was one stop a 10 mile walk away in a random direction that we had to skip) but otherwise they were fun - we just had to change the order to make the walk make more sense.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for my trip to Berlin and it was definitely useful in helping me find interesting local spots as well as introducing local histories there too.

Flakin's Trotskyism is explicit in the book, so mentions of the GDR come with the usual remarks. Despite this though, Flakin still makes some very good points about the GDR that I wasn't expecting.

[Andrea]

read this in berlin with my friend in berlin learning about berlin in berlin

[Svenja · Rating 5 out of 5]

IF UR GOING TO BERLIN BUY THIS BOOK! An extraordinary book that does an extraordinary city justice

[Lina Carrillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful way to think about Berlin, this book mentally transported me all around the city. Every chapter was so unique and interesting !

[Jenna McKee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the best storytelling I’ve ever read

[Sophie Bean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure I’ve ever read a guide book from start to finish but this was entertaining and readable. I appreciate authors who make complicated histories so digestible. And Berlin is just effing cool.