Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on
bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Penguin Historical Atlas of the Medieval World
by Andrew Jotischky
Richly decorated with photographs, illustrations and full-color maps, this compact atlas explores the empires, people, cultures and religions of the Middle Ages, providing an excellent introduction to European history.
A Tramp Abroad
by Mark Twain, David Eggers (Introduction), Kerry Driscoll (Introduction)
Written 11 years after "Innocents Abroad," this is Twain's second foray into European travel. Filled with his characteristic wit and humorous observations, it documents his journeys through Germany, Switzerland, France and Italy.
Baroque and Rococo Art
by Germain Bazin
An excellent illustrated survey of Baroque and Rococo art and architecture, this volume in the acclaimed "World of Art" series is a good companion to the golden age of Middle Europe.
Oberammergau, The Troubling Story of the World's Most Famous Passion Play
by James Shapiro
A cultural history of Oberammergau and the monumental influence its Passion Play has had on its development.
The Swan King: Ludwig II of Bavaria
by Christopher McIntosh
Ludwig II, the so-called Mad King of Bavaria, was one of the most enigmatic figures of the 19th century. He has gone down in history for his patronage to Richard Wagner, and for the palaces he created.
Eyewitness Guide Vienna
by Eyewitness Guides
Take along this handy, compact guide featuring history, culture, color photography and excellent neighborhood maps.
The Blue Flower
by Penelope Fitzgerald
Set in the Age of Goethe, this exquisitely written short novel is a fictional account of the life of the Romantic poet Novalis. It paints a vivid picture of German intellectual and mercantile life in the late 1700s.
The Story of the Trapp Family Singers
by Maria von Trapp
The true story of the von Trapp family singers, as remembered by Maria von Trapp herself. Maria was indeed a novice nun, but there ends her resemblance to the Julie Andrews character in the Sound of Music.
Fin-de-Siecle Vienna: Politics and Culture
by Carl E. Schorske
A landmark study of turn-of-the century Vienna -- one of the key chapters in modern intellectual history. Among its luminaries were Freud, Klimt, Kokoshka and Schoenberg.
Vienna Map
by Berndtson & Berndtson
A handy laminated map of the city center.
Prost! The Story of German Beer
by Horst D. Dornbusch
The Munich-based aficionado weaves history and culture with the marvels and mysteries of German beer in this brief, authoritative guide.
Lonely Planet Central Europe
by Lonely Planet
With dozens of maps, color photographs and sections on history and culture, this practical guide introduces Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland and their neighbors.
German History in Modern Times: Four Lives of the Nation
by William W. Hagen
This history of German-speaking central Europe offers a very wide perspective, emphasizing a succession of many-layered communal identities. It highlights the interplay of individual, society, culture and political power, contrasting German with Western patterns.
The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak
Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.
Lonely Planet Austria
by Lonely Planet
A highly recommended introduction to Austrian history and culture, as well as a good overview of popular destinations including Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck and more.
The Habsburgs, Dynasty, Culture and Politics
by Paula Sutter Fichtner
A concise chronicle of the 600-year Habsburg Empire, essential for those interested in European history. Fichtner reveals how the dynasty used propaganda, political maneuvering and public performance to maintain control over an array of cultures and ethnicities.
The Third Man and The Fallen Idol
by Graham Greene
A haunting tale and penetrating portrait of Vienna after World War II, "The Third Man" is the result of Greene's collaboration with Carol Reed on the classic movie. "The Fallen Idol" is a separate tale of intrigue set in Britain.
Germany, Benelux, Austria Czech Republic Map
by Michelin Travel Publications
This handy map shows road and river routes from Amsterdam and Berlin to Prague, Vienna, Munich and Salzburg at a scale of 1:1,000,000.
Mozart
by Peter Gay
This concise, entertaining portrait delves into Mozart's complex relationship with his father, his daunting role as a child prodigy and his exploration of new musical territory.
Munich Map
by Borch Maps
A handy, laminated map of Munich at a scale of 1:11,000.
The German Way
by Hyde Flippo
A slim volume on the German-speaking world's cultural psyche, this is a great resource for anyone seeking insight into why the Germans do what they do.
Vienna Music Guide
by David L. Nelson
Written by a professional music tour director, this well-produced, independent guide provides excellent coverage of Vienna's musical heritage, with special attention given to its orchestras, museums, famous gravesites and opera houses.
The Burgermeister's Daughter, Scandal in a Sixteenth-Century German Town
by Steven Ozment
Meticulously researched and absorbing, this narrative by a Harvard historian traces the legal battle of the daughter of a well-to-do family who was thrown out of her home and disinherited in 1525.
Every Pilgrim's Guide to Oberammergau and its Passion Play
by Michael Counsell
This pocket travel guide by a retired Anglican priest includes information on Oberammergau and the Passion Play, performed five times a day, five days a week for five months every 10 years. With hymns and bible readings.
