Prague

One of Europe’s most visited centers is illuminated in Cynthia Paces’s erudite history book Prague.

Prague, Franz Kafka’s birthplace, has been called “the mistress of all Bohemia.” Here, this riverside site of political revolutions is unpacked in vivid detail, with information spanning from the ninth century through to the early twenty-first century. The book draws on archaeological evidence and the stories of saints, showing how the city became part of the Holy Roman Empire and how its medieval kings, including Charles IV, led to periods of flourishing. The religious reforms and wars that preceded its Renaissance period are explored, as are the controversies surrounding religious freedom that shaped Prague’s governance and daily life.

Twentieth-century wars and their impacts on Prague are covered in rending terms; communism and modern concerns are detailed, too. The German, Czech, Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish influences on the city are unpacked in rich, intricate detail, illuminating internal tensions related to language and national identity. Diverse Prague residents are also highlighted in this city survey, including dynastic heirs, heretics, Antonín Dvořák, and Rainer Maria Rilke, in addition to unnamed citizens whose fates reflect dark events in the city’s story, like the expulsion of its Jewish population.

Still-present landmarks are made to speak to dramatic moments in the city’s transformation under varied leaders. They include Prague University, bridges, restored castles, and civic monuments that reflect the city’s growth. Photographs showcase the Baroque and Cubist building styles that enhance Prague, and the removal of old statues to add new commemorative features is also covered, reflecting the city’s reckoning with its past.

A balanced, comprehensive history book that celebrates a city’s lasting cultural contributions, Prague covers shifts in power, brutal historical moments, and architectural feats with acuity.

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