Best Books about Berlin

If you're interested in learning more about the fascinating history of Berlin, I highly recommend checking out some of these books. Each one provides a unique perspective on the city and its past, and can help deepen your understanding of the events and people that have shaped Berlin into the vibrant metropolis it is today. From memoirs and biographies to historical fiction and non-fiction, these books offer a diverse range of perspectives and genres. Whether you're a history buff or simply looking to learn more about this captivating city, these books are sure to inspire and enlighten you. Some of them will have come up or referenced on one of my tours.

1. Berlin - Imagine a City

"Berlin - Imagine a City" by Rory MacLean takes readers on a journey through Berlin's complex and tumultuous history through the eyes of its famous and not-so-famous residents, including David Bowie and Marlene Dietrich.

2. Stasiland

"Stasiland" by Anna Funder is an eye-opening account of life in East Germany before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Funder's interviews with Stasi spies and East Germans who were spied on provide a firsthand look at the devastating effects of surveillance and oppression.

3. Iron Kingdom

"Iron Kingdom" by Christopher Clark provides an insightful overview of the rise of Prussia and the downfall of the German Empire, detailing the political, social, and economic factors that led to the emergence of Prussia as a European power. Read this to understand Potsdam better!

4. Outkast

"Outcast: A Jewish Girl in Wartime Berlin" by Inge Deutschkron is a moving memoir of survival during the Holocaust, chronicling Deutschkron's experiences as a Jewish girl in Berlin and her interactions with Otto Weidt, a factory owner who protected blind Jews. We will see it on my Jewish Berlin Tour.

5. Berlin Soldier

"Berlin Soldier" by Helmut Altner is a gripping memoir that offers a firsthand account of the Battle of Berlin during World War II. Altner was only 17 years old when he was drafted into the German army. It provides a powerful and poignant firsthand account of the physical and emotional tolls of war on both soldiers and civilians.

6. The House by the Lake

"The House by the Lake" by Thomas Harding tells the history of Berlin and indeed Germany simply through the story of a lake house and its inhabitants over time. You can visit this house upon request on my Potsdam tour.

7. Destined to Witness

"Destined to Witness: Growing up Black in Nazi Germany" by Hans Massaquoi offers a unique perspective on life in Nazi Germany as a person of color, exploring the challenges and discrimination faced by black people in a country that embraced Aryan supremacy.

8. In Europe

"In Europe" by Geert Mak is one of my all time favorites: a captivating exploration of the history, culture, and identity of the diverse countries that make up the European continent. Through personal anecdotes and historical accounts, Mak offers readers a multifaceted perspective on Europe's troubled 20th century history.

9. The Boys in the Boat

"The Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown is a captivating account of the US Olympic rowing team's journey to the 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany, providing insight into the political and social tensions of the time.

10. In the Garden of Beasts

"In the Garden of Beasts" by Erik Larson is a fascinating portrayal of the US ambassador to Nazi Germany during the early years of Hitler's regime, shedding light on the complex dynamics of diplomacy and politics in a time of growing global instability. We will visit the locations of this book on my Third Reich Tour.

11. Alone in Berlin

"Alone in Berlin" by Hans Fallada is a powerful portrayal of two ordinary Berliners who resisted the Nazi regime in their own small way, highlighting the bravery and resilience of those who stood up against tyranny. I often talk about this at the former Gestapo HQ.

12. Zoo Station

"Zoo Station" by Christiane F. offers a raw and compelling account of the drug scene in West Berlin during the 1970s, depicting the highs and lows of addiction and the struggles of youth living on the fringes of society.

13. Good Bye to Berlin

"Goodbye to Berlin" is a 1939 novel by Christopher Isherwood set in Berlin during the early 1930s. The novel captures the atmosphere of pre-war Berlin and features complex characters, including the narrator and a British cabaret singer named Sally Bowles. It was the inspiration for "Cabaret". We can visit Isherwood's house on the West Berlin Tour.

14. Emil and the Detectives

"Emil and the Detectives" is a classic 1929 children's novel by German author Erich Kästner. The story follows young Emil Tischbein as he travels alone from a small town to Berlin to visit his grandmother. Along the way, Emil's money is stolen by a thief, and he teams up with a group of local children to track down the culprit and retrieve his money.