The Ghosts of Berlin: Confronting German History in the Urban LandscapeIn this compelling work, Brian Ladd examines the ongoing conflicts radiating from the remarkable fusion of architecture, history, and national identity in Berlin. Ladd surveys the urban landscape, excavating its ruins, contemplating its buildings and memorials, and carefully deconstructing the public debates and political controversies emerging from its past. "Written in a clear and elegant style, The Ghosts of Berlin is not just another colorless architectural history of the German capital. . . . Mr. Ladd's book is a superb guide to this process of urban self-definition, both past and present."—Katharina Thote, Wall Street Journal "If a book can have the power to change a public debate, then The Ghosts of Berlin is such a book. Among the many new books about Berlin that I have read, Brian Ladd's is certainly the most impressive. . . . Ladd's approach also owes its success to the fact that he is a good storyteller. His history of Berlin's architectural successes and failures reads entertainingly like a detective novel."—Peter Schneider, New Republic "[Ladd's] well-written and well-illustrated book amounts to a brief history of the city as well as a guide to its landscape."—Anthony Grafton, New York Review of Books |
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The Ghosts of Berlin: Confronting German History in the Urban Landscape Brian Ladd Limited preview - 1997 |
The Ghosts of Berlin: Confronting German History in the Urban Landscape Brian Ladd Limited preview - 2008 |
Common terms and phrases
Adolf Hitler American apartment architects architecture argued attention authorities became become Berlin Wall blocks border Brandenburg buildings built capital central century city's claim Communist concrete construction continued create critics debate decision Democrats district Divided Berlin division early East German Eastern enormous entire established example exhibition existing facade face fact followed forced foreign former Friedrich Gate Hitler honor identity Jews land later leaders lived marked memorial Metropolis monuments Museum Nazi offered official Old Berlin palace Party past plans political Potsdamer Platz preservation proposed Quarter question Reichstag remained removal represented Republic restore royal palace ruins sense side Social Soviet space square stand statue stood street symbol Third Reich tion town tradition turn urban victims visitors wanted West Berlin Western Wilhelm World