Prague: A Cultural and Literary History

This collection of essays (242 pages) was published in April of 2013 by Interlink. The book takes you to Prague. Melissa read Prague and loved it; it wouldn't be on our site if she didn't recommend it.

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Prague

A Cultural and Literary History

Richard D.E. Burton

This essay collection offers a completely different approach to traveling in Prague. Rather than photos and sightseeing logistics, it explores the significance and history of various facets of Czech culture.

Written with intelligence and insight, it delves into Jewish history in Prague (including the legend of the golem), Vyšehrad castle, the legacy of Franz Kafka, Czech theater and music, the significance of the architecture, life under Communism, the drama of the Velvet Revolution, and more.

If Artel Style is narrated by your hip friend, then the details in A Cultural History are told to you by everybody’s favorite professor: knowledgable, accessible, and an erudite storyteller. This handy volume is pure gold for introverts: Carrying it in your backpack is like having a tour guide at your side, without the pesky personal interaction.

You can enjoy this book without ever setting foot in Prague, and if (when?) you do visit, these essays will deepen your understanding of must-see spots like Prague Castle, the National Theater, Wenceslas Square, and more. There’s also a useful overview of Prague’s neighborhoods and a Czech pronunciation guide ‘for the faint-hearted.’

Visible from everywhere during the day, and now also dramatically floodlit at night, the cathedral and castle haunt the imagination of Prague… — Richard D.E. Burton

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