“An original approach to 20th-century European history" —Alastair Bailey, Financial Times

“A [fascinating] chronology." —Benjamin Balint, Wall Street Journal

A journey through the old towns of Europe, exploring why we value them—but also what they conceal about the tumultuous history of the continent.

Historic areas in cities and towns of Central Europe were destroyed during World War II—some, like those in Warsaw and Frankfurt, had to be rebuilt almost entirely. Today, they are centers of peace and culture attracting millions of tourists, yet the stories they tell about places, people, and nations are selective. It is never the complete story.

These old towns and their troubled stories have been focal points in the ongoing theater of politics and war in Europe. Examining seven old towns, from Frankfurt and Prague to Vilnius in Lithuania, acclaimed author Marek Kohn analyzes how they have been used since World War II to obscure political tensions and promote certain narratives of history.

Revealing hidden stories behind these old and seemingly ancient facades, Kohn offers a new understanding of the politics of European historiography—showing how our visits to old towns could foster belonging instead of exclusion, and empathy instead of indifference.

Pages: 352, Year of Publication: 0430, Dimensions: 12.7x12.7cm