Hi, I'm looking for suggestions for books to read prior to our trip to Berlin and Dresden. History (not too dry) or historic novels would be great, or biographies (again, not too dry please). Thanks.

As you may already know, Kurt Vonnegut jr. was a prisoner of war in Dresden during the fire bombing of the city, and it was the inspiration for Slaughterhouse Five. The actual history of Dresden is still so controversial, it's hard to trust reviews of non-fiction books about it.

I have always loved reading Christopher Isherwood's Berlin Stories.

I also think if you have access to them, look at any pre-war German cinema is incredible, especially the films of Fritz Lang. It was perhaps the greatest artistic cinema in all the world, and it never recovered.

Thanks, zeppole. I'll go take out Slaughterhouse five from my library.

I've seen some excerpts of Fritz Lang's Die Niebelungen silent movies. Quite captivating actually.

the BBC are doing a George Smiley season on radio 4 at the moment.

Le Carre's novels set before the fall of the wall are very atmospheric. you could start with "the spy who came in from the cold".

I just remembered the dresden non-fiction book I was trying to think of:

http://www.amazon.ca/Dresden-Tuesday.../dp/0060006765

I don't know how dry it is.

When you get to Berlin, the small but completely fascinating and shocking museum of the Berlin Wall (Mauer) is one of the best I've ever seen. It's near the longest remaining piece of the wall and takes all of 40 minutes to peruse.

And if you don't take a guided tour of the Reichstag Dome, be sure to have a good guidebook, because it is soaked and layered in history.

Which also reminds me, if you didn't see the recent art house hit The Lives of Others, you might want to.

and one more thought: Christopher Isherwood's Berlin Stories are the basis for the musical Cabaret, if you didn't know. They are very short stories and the descriptions of pre-war Berlin are haunting.

Hi yk,

If you're interested in more Fritz Lang, the 2001 restoration of Metropolis is stunning.

Many German Expressionist painters were associated with both Berlin and Dresden- I wish I knew of some good books or biographies about the "Die Brucke" group or Otto Dix but I don't

"Aimee & Jaguar" is an interesting film set in WWII Berlin

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0130444

Hello yk:

Before visiting Dresden, I read "Firestorm" by Marshall De Bruhl and "Dresden" by Frederick Taylor. Different perspectives but helpful in assimilating the information we gained during our visit. There also is an award winning film entitled "Dresden", released in about 2007, that we viewed after our return and found very interesting. We spent a week in Dresden in 2007 and I consider the city one of my favorite places. Just ask me about the restaurants. Gradyghost

A thriller set in pre-WW II Berlin: Zoo Station by David Downing

yk, I agree that Vonnegut’s SLAUGTERHOUSE FIVE is an excellent starting point. May I suggest two other non-fiction accounts of the period that I read before a trip to Germany last summer. Might be classified as “dry” by some but fascinating just the same:

AFTER THE REICH: The Brutal History of the Allied Occupation by Giles MacDonogh

THE RAPE OF EUROPA The Fate of Europe’s Treasures in the Third Reich and the Second World War by Lynn H. Nicholas

So many fantastic suggestions! Thanks! I have to start reading NOW if I want to get through half of these.

I have seen Lives of Others (twice at least) - LOVE it, as well as the movie Rape of Europa (twice as well). Didn't read the book though.

I also saw Run Lola Run years ago. I believe that was filmed in Berlin? And of course, one of the Bourne movies that was shot in Berlin (love the scene @ Alexanderplatz).

I'm still not into German Expressionism (yet). Some day, perhpas...

A little tangential, but if you are interested in reunification history, Deutsche Welle has a new DVD called Walled In! (Eingemauert!) (not the Hollywood film of the same name). It gives a history of the Berlin Wall and the border between the two Germanies and also has a lot of footage of the celebrations 20 yrs ago. (In numerous languages including English.) There is also a series of exhibitions around the world (mostly in Goethe-Instituts, I think) with photos comparing sites (mostly facades, some landscapes) in the East just after the fall of the Wall with photos taken 10 - 12 yrs later. It is called Ortszeit / Local Time, and I believe the photographer has also put out a book with the same photos. Really, really interesting to see the changes, although the commentary helps to explain some of the changes quite a lot.

Lavandula

yk, since you saw the documentary RAPE OF EUROPA, you get the picture. Amazing that in the midst of the blood bath in Europe (not to forget the Holocaust), Hitler retained an interest in looting and collecting the great art of Europe. The Nazi lust to garner these treasures, along with the Allies’ resourcefulness in protecting them, makes a fascinating study.

The story is endless as many descendants of those who were victimized continue to seek restitution.

I love getting reading suggestions before I travel! All I can offer on Germany are some resources, though:

Lonely Planet guidebooks always have a detailed listing and discussion of nonfiction and fiction about their destinations, usually in the front part of the book under a heading of "Literature" or "Recommended Reading."

Rough Guides guidebooks have a similar section. I think it's usually at the back under a heading of "Books."

I am in Berlin ( after Dresden) right now.
What surprised me the most was what a big part of Berlin was in the East. It seems to be the most interesting part of the city so far.
I am glad I visited Dresden , 24 hours would be enough.
Sorry, all books I have read are on WWII , seen all the movies mentioned here and a few more... places change....

danon, I hope you're enjoying your trip.

I know you have said you don't write trip reports, but I really would appreciate if you could give me a run-down of which sites/museums you visited while you were in Dresden and Berlin.

Soaring Underground, by Larry Orbach.

I'm biased, because I edited it, but it's a very compelling story of a young Jewish fugitive's life in Berlin during WWII and the incredible underground life that went on there.

The Weather in Berlin by Ward Just. A very atmospheric novel.

As long as people are mentioning films as well as novels...
the Tunnel is another good film about Berlin just after the wall went up
Rosenstraße is about a 1943 protest by Aryan wives of Jewish men who were being deported

You could try Berlin Alexanderplatz by Alfred Döblin. I found it hard going but it is considered a masterpiece, often compared to Ulysses