Why the Germans Do it Better: Notes from a Grown-Up Country

Why the Germans Do it Better: Notes from a Grown-Up Country

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  • Create Date:2021-06-07 09:53:37
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
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  • Author:John Kampfner
  • ISBN:1786499762
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Summary

A provocative and entertaining exploration of the country that Britons love to hate by one of our most respected journalists。

Emerging from a collection of disparate city states 150 years ago, no other country has had as turbulent a history as Germany or enjoyed so much prosperity in such a short time frame。 Today, as much of the world succumbs to authoritarianism and democracy is undermined from its heart, Germany stands as a bulwark for decency and stability。

Mixing personal journey and anecdote with compelling empirical evidence, this is a searching and entertaining exploration of the country many in the West still love to hate。 Raising important questions for our post-Brexit landscape, Kampfner asks why Germany has become a model for others to emulate, while Britain still languishes in wartime nostalgia and fails to tackle contemporary challenges。 Part memoir, part history, part travelogue, Why the Germans Do It Better is a rich and witty portrait of an eternally fascinating country。

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Reviews

Bradley Green

Merkel>Bojo

Ute Weiß

Very interesting book。 I quite enjoyed reading it。

LittleSophie

Despite the, to me as a German intensely cringey, title, Kampfner is actually quite critical and clear-eyed about modern German society。 Informative and well researched, Germans themselves can find a lot to think about and take away from these pages。

Mairead

Fascinating

Ellen

Very good。 As much about the UK as Germany。 Recommended。

Vasil Kolev

Very interesting。 A bit too short for the topic (which can take tens of volumes), and the author gets sidetracked a lot, but still very illuminating。

Vanya Prodanova

С тази приятна корица и заинтригуващо заглавие очаквах и стилът на писане на автора да е лек и разбираем。 Уви, не беше точно така, което е тъжно, тъй като в части от отделни глави си личи, че може да пише леко и с щипка хумор。 Също така целта му да покаже Германия в друга светлина на света и да покаже защо всъщност се справят доста добре с проблемите, идващи към тях, се загуби в изключително натоварената и утежнена реч。 Авторът е направил опит да подреди книгата, тъй като всяка глава отговаря за С тази приятна корица и заинтригуващо заглавие очаквах и стилът на писане на автора да е лек и разбираем。 Уви, не беше точно така, което е тъжно, тъй като в части от отделни глави си личи, че може да пише леко и с щипка хумор。 Също така целта му да покаже Германия в друга светлина на света и да покаже защо всъщност се справят доста добре с проблемите, идващи към тях, се загуби в изключително натоварената и утежнена реч。 Авторът е направил опит да подреди книгата, тъй като всяка глава отговаря за един голям важен момент от модерната история на Германия, но вътре в самите глави всичко е един голям хаос и така сухо представена материята, че учебниците ми по история от училище имат по-малко имена и дати, отколкото неговата книга。 Също така понякога вкарва едни абзаци от по една-две страници да обясни нещо, че си забравил за какво говори докато стигне до края на "абзаца"。 Информацията вътре можеше да бъде представена къде-къде по-леко и приятно и от там много хора всъщност да се запознаят с Германия, така както той я вижда, и как нещата са се развили за тях。В никакъв случай не се опитва да представи германците като ултимативния пример за подражание。 Ясно споделя и техните проблеми, които имат и не са решили, но идеята му е да покаже, че значителна част от нещата, които правят, са много по-добра реакция на дадени проблеми, отколкото други страни правят, най-вече UK, защото авторът е от тук。 Колкото и авторът да се опитваше да представи нещата обаче положително, до края напълно се отчаях от света и съм изумена, че все още не сме в трета световна война。 :/ 。。。more

Mike Evans

Part-travelogue, part-history, Kampfner charts an interesting journey of how modern Germany has been shaped by the many tragedies of the twentieth century。 The author is unapologetically blunt in his comparisons to post-Brexit Britain and post-Trump USA。 A niche subject, but done very well and accessibly。

Dez Van Der Voort

Not really my cup of tea。Author focuses more on politics, reunification, immigration。 Although there are some good points, author goes all over the place, and some background history isn't explained for your average layman。 Not really my cup of tea。Author focuses more on politics, reunification, immigration。 Although there are some good points, author goes all over the place, and some background history isn't explained for your average layman。 。。。more

Alexandros Potapidis

The title of the book can be distorting at best, and misleading at worst for two main reasons。 Firstly, it takes for granted the fact that the Germans, (as country, society, economy, national football team?) or Germany in general, is a more successful and prosperous country that offers to its people the opportunity to lead happy and fulfilled lives。 But they do “it” better than who? Any other nation worldwide? Certainly some in America or China would disagree。 The first would demonstrate their c The title of the book can be distorting at best, and misleading at worst for two main reasons。 Firstly, it takes for granted the fact that the Germans, (as country, society, economy, national football team?) or Germany in general, is a more successful and prosperous country that offers to its people the opportunity to lead happy and fulfilled lives。 But they do “it” better than who? Any other nation worldwide? Certainly some in America or China would disagree。 The first would demonstrate their country’s role as the biggest global economy, the only superpower, and its democratic credentials embedded in a Constitution as no other。 The latter would underline their country’s cultural and historical superiority, its stable political system that holds together almost 1,4 billion people, and its unprecedented economic development。 This leaves us with the assumption that the Germans must be “doing it” better than countries of a similar level, population, and even proximity, such as the UK and France。 Secondly, the title suggests that the Germans have created a flawless society because they found the magic receipt to converge everyone’s needs and interests。 This impression is enhanced by the subtitle of the book, “Notes from a Grown-Up Country”。 As if all other countries are either learning to walk or struggling with their puberty。Far from that, John Kampfner manages to control the reader’s expectations by showing Germany’s innumerable struggles, problems, and difficulties that are only growing in size and scope。 However, the book amply demonstrates how and why a country that can not dissociate itself from its dark past reached such highs in every aspect of human endeavour。 Kampfner’s journalistic career offers him the authority and the authenticity to compare, through statistics, anecdotes, and historical narratives, Germany with other countries, notably his own own one, the UK, and illustrate why Germany’s economic model, communitarian society, and political system are so admired worldwide。 He is careful to disengage from the Germany that preceded the end of the second world war。 Instead, he concentrates on the narrative of how the country overcame the negative legacy of initiating two world wars and producing the atrocities of the third reich。 A Germany that started from the bottom of economic, societal, and moral reconstruction in 1945, seems to be a role model of a country and a society in 2020。So, how and why do the Germans do it better? According to Kampfner, among other things the post-war Germany had to build a new mentality that evolved around constitutional patriotism。 The idea that the national pride is based not on its (discredited) army or (destroyed) land and soil nationalism, but on the rule of law and its constitutional democratic values ratified in the Basic Law (p。18)。 In other words, the national guilt of the second world war has been replaced by constant efforts of atonement。 “Countries that struggle with the present take comfort from the nostalgia of past glories, real or imagined。 Germany, because of its past, cannot” (p。 280)。 Germany’s patriotic sense begins not from the past, but from the present。 If there is such a thing as a national mentality, the German one is built on modesty and the idea that they are the last to teach the world a lesson because it is so hard for them to praise their country (p。 20)。Modesty is the driving force of the German miracle and it was responsible for the relatively painless way the country was united after the collapse of the communism and the introduction of East Germany to a Western lifestyle。 It was not just re-uniting two opposing countries, but mainly two clashing ideologies and systems。 It came with many problems but not that of economic bankruptcy or societal trauma (p。 94)。 When the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, was asked in 2004 to characterise her country in one word, she mentioned that it is reliability the most prized German asset (p。 73)。 Indeed, this reliability is evident in the political system of the country and the fact that compromises can be reached by forming coalitions of political parties on opposing political spectrums。 Can anyone imagine the American political system producing a Grand Coalition between Republicans and Democrats along the lines of the CDU and SPD?However, Germany’s biggest asset in its last 75 years of life is undoubtedly its strong economic performance by pursuing market economy policies along with the idea of social market that allows certain social protection。 The state has a strong say not in the production of wealth, but in the subsequent redistribution of it, in the name of social justice (p。 183-4)。 Another area where Germany indisputably did it better than anyone else was hosting and assimilating 1。4 million immigrants that applied for asylum between 2014 and 2019, mainly from war-torn Syria。 These numbers put in shame countries of similar economic size that allowed only a fraction of immigrants in comparison with Germany (p。 106-108)。 Angela Merkel and her coalition of parties paid a high political price for such a decision but there is no moral or ethical argument that can be made against it。 No other country has assimilated and accommodated better such a diverse and multicultural societal fabric where 20 million residents in Germany (a quarter of its population) have some kind of migrant background (p。 124)。It is no wonder that Germany leads the European project。 Germany is undoubtedly the cornerstone for EU’s success and the heart of Europe。 Other areas where Germany demonstrates admirable success can be seen in its educational system, a decent health care service, and its environmental credentials。 Finally, a field where success can not be easily measured takes place around the everyday German way of life。 This community-based approach is evident in the utilitarian mentality of the taxation system, where higher taxes enforced by the government are accepted as a way of providing not just for one’s own family, but for the needs of society at large (p。 225)。Germany has a unique modern history and has undergone deep and dramatic transformation in all sectors of its society。 It carries fundamental dichotomies and problems that can not be easily overcome。 However, it has managed to adjust and prosper in a changing world where economic crises and the rise of populism are challenging the fundamental ideas of the role and the structure of societies, economies, and the state。 Germany can be seen as a role model because its deep historical traumas transformed the country into a modest preacher of goodness, rightness, and fairness。 。。。more

Lisa Woodward

I found it assumed a lot of prior knowledge - my degree is in German but it still made me feel uninformed at times。 It seemed more a study of Merkel than the country。It was also very balanced in identifying Germany’s flaws as well as its strengths。。。but the upshot is I now have a more negative view of Germany, which seems counter to the book’s aim。

Luke Hosford

While this was more about 'how' the Germans do it better, more than 'why', I did especially like how full a picture he gave of each issue, whether it was party politics, East German reunification, the economy, the reaction to World War II or the climate, he was very clear to point out it hasn't been plain sailing for the Germans in their dealing with them (like any other country) but that, on balance, the unique nature of how Germans deal with these issues meant that the positive outweighed the While this was more about 'how' the Germans do it better, more than 'why', I did especially like how full a picture he gave of each issue, whether it was party politics, East German reunification, the economy, the reaction to World War II or the climate, he was very clear to point out it hasn't been plain sailing for the Germans in their dealing with them (like any other country) but that, on balance, the unique nature of how Germans deal with these issues meant that the positive outweighed the negative most of the time。 The main 'why' seemed to be their reckoning with their past, specifically World War II。 A truly public discussion took place with many backs and forth about the extent to which Germans should feel shame about it。 It wasn't outsourced to lawyers and opaque reports like it is here in Ireland。 Books were written that everybody read, discussions were had on shows that everybody watched, and successive leaders made bold choices that were controversial at the time but have proved to be the right move。 While every country should learn from this experience and apply a similar public understanding to their history, its a bit depressing that a singular horrific event like World War II in Germany is what it takes for a country to take this seriously。 Another impressive facet of this society is how inbuilt social cohesion and community development is in every aspect of government policy, whether its having workers on company boards, protecting areas in a city from large residential development, to massively investing in culture。 I do wonder, however, if this successful economy would have survived without a bigger, more disruptive economy like the US。 Obviously with the Marshall Plan, Germany got a great lift, but throughout the book the author describes how Germans are slow to pick up innovations and change。 Without the revolutionary technologies of the US, would the German economy with its caution and worker councils been able to survive, or have anyone to sell to? I also wonder if every country had adopted this model, would living standards have improved as quickly as they did in the West。 While it might be a great way to run a modern economy with already high living standards, as long as there is a country as buccaneering as the US, an economy like the German one could never lead the world, which is a shame。 There was a great quote from the former German foreign minister who stated that British people and politicians act as if they will always be on the right side of history; Germans can never do that。 It is an admirable quality for a country's politics to be defined by patience and scrutiny, but it didn't come about easily。 。。。more

Katherine

Describes in detail faults but glosses over the resulting outcomes。 For instance, the country's business model is set out as a shining light of the German social conscience without delving into the hypocrisies that the author himself points out or drawing parallels to how a mafia economy would describe itself as upholding these same pillars through regional control and family networks。 Another glaring contradiction is the discussion of community cohesion without taking into consideration how as Describes in detail faults but glosses over the resulting outcomes。 For instance, the country's business model is set out as a shining light of the German social conscience without delving into the hypocrisies that the author himself points out or drawing parallels to how a mafia economy would describe itself as upholding these same pillars through regional control and family networks。 Another glaring contradiction is the discussion of community cohesion without taking into consideration how as an outsider you're automatically ostracised if you have not grown up with those regional experiences or the educational system example can be comprehensive if you've been part of it since birth but coming from elsewhere you're not qualified to take part。 Imagine moving to a country and not being able to work in a shop because that requires a three year apprenticeship。 The author states that Germany was propelled forward because the American's need for an anti-communism bloc in Europe after WW2 but then attributes its current world position to German merit。 Germany has a traumatic history that is not far in the past, and as a collective culture has barely begun to unpack that and change the narrative。 So if foreigners compare it to the authoritarian regimes they previously left, the reaction isn't for Germans to be sad over criticism, it's to double down on why this is the case。 Every immigrant or expat seems to catch on very quickly to Germany not being a totally free society, so now it's the elephant in the room that Germans and the author don't want to confront。 。。。more

Laura

Very interesting book, fascinating in places but in others it did not feel balanced and in a few it already felt dated。

Nhung Qnk

The title does not really fit with the content of the book which is more about the modern history of Germany affects how the country is today。 I did walk away with better understanding of German economy and politics - also some books and movie recommendations。 Though I must admit it was difficult to follow the flow of this book at first。 One chapter would span about 40 pages in which the author jumps from one topic to another each few paragraphs。 Sometimes I do not even know what point he is try The title does not really fit with the content of the book which is more about the modern history of Germany affects how the country is today。 I did walk away with better understanding of German economy and politics - also some books and movie recommendations。 Though I must admit it was difficult to follow the flow of this book at first。 One chapter would span about 40 pages in which the author jumps from one topic to another each few paragraphs。 Sometimes I do not even know what point he is trying to make。 But the writing style did get better in later chapters。All in all this is a good book to read。 In the end I quite enjoyed it。 。。。more

Diz

This is an overview of the political, economic, and social history in post-war Germany。 The author is fair in his coverage of these topics。 He mentions not only the good aspects, but also introduces some of the problems that Germany faces。 However, the impression that I got is that Germany is facing many of the same problems as other countries despite taking different approaches, so it seems to be a bit early to say that the Germans have done things better。

Filip Olšovský

Unlike the Germans, average at best。

Derek Henderson

Rather dull overview of the German way。 Not many facts to make you sit up and drearily written。

Koit

Mr Kampfner’s review of modern Germany was an interesting look into the country which manages the fill many gaps in the reader’s knowledge。 The intention that the reader is British was, however, all-too-clear through the majority of the comparisons—and for more informed people this book might not be that illuminating a title。The author covered the main tendencies in German politics and economy, described how the integration of the East and the West took place, and, of course, dedicated a fair bi Mr Kampfner’s review of modern Germany was an interesting look into the country which manages the fill many gaps in the reader’s knowledge。 The intention that the reader is British was, however, all-too-clear through the majority of the comparisons—and for more informed people this book might not be that illuminating a title。The author covered the main tendencies in German politics and economy, described how the integration of the East and the West took place, and, of course, dedicated a fair bit of the book to showing how Merkel’s chancellorship has been impressive。 In this, the author followed the trends to note the deficiencies with German inability to take up a proper leading position in foreign policy。What I found most riveting were the descriptions on cultural and social norms: people working together for a common good and this being a societal expectation。 Similarly, the anti-credit-spending thinking was an enlightening contrast to the more common British and American models while the contrasts between the leaders’ cultural tastes was also quite interesting (Merkel: theatre; Cameron: TV)。 The author was still very open in describing the problems that the bureaucratic style has and may lead to, for example, in the construction of the Berlin Airport—a truly song-worthy fiasco。The historical basis that could have underlied the above-mentioned social descriptions wasn’t as strong as it could have been。 Beyond a description of how the Bonn Republic came to stand on its feet in the 1950’s, the author mostly jumped across events until reintegration。 Even these events were not detailed as well as Merkel’s leadership—as such, this is a political biography of modern Germany。 Some detail is given on how the country got to its present state, but that is only sufficient to answer the most basic questions。While this is a good overview of 21st century Germany, this book doesn’t come close to answering all questions one could have about how this state developed。 That, however, was not the author’s goal—to show what are the worthwhile aspects of the “German system”。 This review was originally posted on my blog。 。。。more

Sander

An entertaining essay on the differences between Britain and Germany。 Part of it is pretty much a platonic love letter to Angela Merkel。 I expected a bit more。

David Canford

An examination of how Germany operates and its mature approach to problem solving without the level of populism and nationalism that has bedevilled other countries in recent years。 Not all is perfect in Germany it would seem but their long termism and ‘ social contract' that capitalism must produce benefits for all and not just the wealthy appears to have given them an enviable cohesion and standard of living。 As the author points out few countries could have absorbed the economic mess that was An examination of how Germany operates and its mature approach to problem solving without the level of populism and nationalism that has bedevilled other countries in recent years。 Not all is perfect in Germany it would seem but their long termism and ‘ social contract' that capitalism must produce benefits for all and not just the wealthy appears to have given them an enviable cohesion and standard of living。 As the author points out few countries could have absorbed the economic mess that was East Germany with such little impact on the country’s continued success。 Germany’s big failing is seen as its reluctance to take a lead on international issues but that could also seen as an advantage。 It has also been fairly slow in embracing some new technologies but the strength of Germany’s companies means it still has time to catch up and even overtake earlier adopters。 It has been largely uncritical of China as trade with that country is significant to Germany and even more so now that Duisburg has become the European hub for trade with China。 Likewise it has tried hard to get along with Putin and most Germans want better relations with Russia given the two countries' histories and their geographic proximity。 All these issues and more are examined in this easily readable book。 。。。more

Steve Harrison

Fascinating study of Germany and Germans and how the Second World War has changed the character of the country。 Very highly recommended。

John Keith

I thoroughly enjoyed this book。 So interesting to see your own country critically compared to a close neighbour。 I loved that it is far from a hagiography and points out many problems with modern Germany, and yet he makes a compelling case for Germany rather than the USA or UK being "。。。 the last, best hope of democracy"。 I thoroughly enjoyed this book。 So interesting to see your own country critically compared to a close neighbour。 I loved that it is far from a hagiography and points out many problems with modern Germany, and yet he makes a compelling case for Germany rather than the USA or UK being "。。。 the last, best hope of democracy"。 。。。more

Luciano

This book doesn't bring any sweeping sociological or economic thesis, as the title may suggest。 This may be one its main strengths: Kampfner uses his life experience and research to describe to the reader how many aspects of contemporary German life were molded by the country's frenetic history in the twentieth century and the institutions that emerged from it, and how they compare (most often favorably) to other developed countries。 It's a book written to a British audience; its frequent mentio This book doesn't bring any sweeping sociological or economic thesis, as the title may suggest。 This may be one its main strengths: Kampfner uses his life experience and research to describe to the reader how many aspects of contemporary German life were molded by the country's frenetic history in the twentieth century and the institutions that emerged from it, and how they compare (most often favorably) to other developed countries。 It's a book written to a British audience; its frequent mentions to British politics are, to me, an unwelcoming distraction, but they're minor flaws in an entertaining and informative work。 。。。more

Brian

I was really looking forward to reading this, as I essentially agree with the assertion in the title - the Germans do most things better! But the book isn't a polemic, it's actually a very balanced assessment, which also covers German shortcomings in areas like foreign policy, infrastructure and the environment。 The sub-title: 'Notes from a Grown-Up Country' is a better description of the thematic assessment of post-war Germany you'll find in the book。 There’s a great mix of Kampfner’s own exper I was really looking forward to reading this, as I essentially agree with the assertion in the title - the Germans do most things better! But the book isn't a polemic, it's actually a very balanced assessment, which also covers German shortcomings in areas like foreign policy, infrastructure and the environment。 The sub-title: 'Notes from a Grown-Up Country' is a better description of the thematic assessment of post-war Germany you'll find in the book。 There’s a great mix of Kampfner’s own experience in Germany, including his periods as a correspondent in Bonn and Berlin; mixed with evidence from interviews and research。 I particularly enjoyed Kampfner’s visit to Aachen, a city I fell in love with a couple of years ago, and which for me really feels like the centre of Europe。 I too had noted the inclusion of personal heroes like Roy Jenkins in the Town Hall’s commemoration of the Charlemagne prize。⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me, and I'll leave with the quote that sums it all up for me: "Very few countries take their politics as seriously as Germany does" 🇩🇪 。。。more

Will

A broad, readable summary of Germany in the Berlin Republic era。 Kampfner also succeeds in appraising Merkel's chancellorship, with an excellent overview of German foreign policy that won't put you to sleep。 Some English-language books about Germany are facetious ('Look at their cheap rents!') in how they draw lessons for post-Brexit Britain。 Their admiration for Germany has become a pretentious Remoaner shibboleth。 Kampfner is far more up-front and nuanced in his analysis of German propserity, A broad, readable summary of Germany in the Berlin Republic era。 Kampfner also succeeds in appraising Merkel's chancellorship, with an excellent overview of German foreign policy that won't put you to sleep。 Some English-language books about Germany are facetious ('Look at their cheap rents!') in how they draw lessons for post-Brexit Britain。 Their admiration for Germany has become a pretentious Remoaner shibboleth。 Kampfner is far more up-front and nuanced in his analysis of German propserity, and the book's entire motive is to ask a still-taboo question of what Germans might teach the rest of us, especially Brits。 That said, there is already a recently-published book answering this question, Learning from the Germans by Susan Neiman, and Kampfner's approach is more concerned with socioeconomic themes。 Where he does address historical matters, Kampfner released his book recently enough to directly dismiss one of Neiman's most controversial arguments concerning the DDR's success in coming to terms with Nazism and the Holocaust (Vergangenheitsaufarbeitung)。 I found Kampfner lacked substance in disagreeing with Neiman's analysis。 The originality of Neiman's argument merits more consideration than what Kampfner offered here, and general readers deserved a better sense of the evolving comparison between East and West German approaches to Vergangenheitsaufarbeitung。 。。。more

Kristen Wong

It is a book published in the perfect timing of Brexit。 It is not about how the Germans do things better compared to the rest of the world but compared to English。 I think this is a book where German history is explained in details, and how they learn through recent historical events, and thus, do things better。

Andyfff

Well written and informative, really enjoyed it。

Jy

Like many other reviewers have noted, Why the Germans Do it Better: Notes from a Grown-Up Country offers the reader with an analysis of modern Germany, and how modern Germany developed its outlook / approach towards politics, towards the role of businesses and economic development, towards its role in international relations, towards societal cohesion, as well as some of the extremely important challenges that Germany is currently facing in the present era of nationalism, anti-enlightenment, and Like many other reviewers have noted, Why the Germans Do it Better: Notes from a Grown-Up Country offers the reader with an analysis of modern Germany, and how modern Germany developed its outlook / approach towards politics, towards the role of businesses and economic development, towards its role in international relations, towards societal cohesion, as well as some of the extremely important challenges that Germany is currently facing in the present era of nationalism, anti-enlightenment, and fear。Unfortunately, as a reader who is not based in the European Union, I found it difficult to grapple some of the references and/or points which Kampfner was making, as his writing presupposes that the reader possesses a fair bit of background knowledge of modern Germany (for instance, I experienced a fair amount of difficulty when the author first began to discuss the various political parties dominating Germany's current political scene, and the various lines which such political parties identified themselves with, and I had to rely on Google / Wikipedia to give me a crash course on the different political parties)。 Ultimately, the book was still fairly interesting and offered great insights into the manner in which Germans run their corporations (social corporations), the manner in which social cohesion and bonding is built in Germany (especially in these divisive times) and the struggles Germany had with the reunification of East and West Germany (I never knew that there was such distinct cultural differences between East and West Germany!), but one would require a fair amount of time to digest the information if one is fairly new to modern Germany。 。。。more

Ashley Amos

This book is a fantastic and informative read。 Kampfner harnesses a rich seam of data fused with anecdotal experience but it never feels formulaic or heavy。 I learnt so much about the history of West Germany and the GDR (East Germany), not to mention the postwar constitutional arrangements and the political culture of grand alliances across the Bundestag (Parliament)。 Then, there’s the way business is carried out; the mighty Mittelstand of small to medium sized enterprises, and the organisation This book is a fantastic and informative read。 Kampfner harnesses a rich seam of data fused with anecdotal experience but it never feels formulaic or heavy。 I learnt so much about the history of West Germany and the GDR (East Germany), not to mention the postwar constitutional arrangements and the political culture of grand alliances across the Bundestag (Parliament)。 Then, there’s the way business is carried out; the mighty Mittelstand of small to medium sized enterprises, and the organisation of cultural institutions。 Looking at the cover of this book, one would assume it’s simply a love letter to modern Germany。 However, Kampfner is not backward in criticising Germany and recognising its shortcomings。 I was surprised to learn that German trains don’t run on time and like Britain, Germany lacks a modern high-speed train service like the TGV。 In addition, Germany has had a few big infrastructure projects go up the white elephant spout; the new Willy Brandt Berlin Airport stood empty before COVID hit after many technical faults were found throughout the complex after completing construction。 And don’t forget the recent Volkswagen emissions scandal。 However, Germany is a country that has looked to the future because its mid-twentieth-century past was such a convulsion of barbarity。 Contrast that to Britain, where major political decisions like Brexit are still couched in terms of the Second World War。 My grandparents and parents looked rather resentfully towards West Germany’s postwar economic miracle, feeling that such riches should be preserved for the victors。 What this text makes clear is that West Germany prospered because it had an industrial strategy where Britain had none; it nurtured positive industrial relations where Britain sowed discord; there was a focus on strengthening society through numerous clubs and social societies where some British politicians claimed there was no such thing as society。 And, Germany absorbed successfully the antiquated East with barely a missed step despite the gargantuan cost that demanded additional income tax on West German states。 To conclude, this text makes clear how Britain might be able to inject a little Vorsprung durch Tecknik into the way it operates; more necessary than ever after withdrawing from the economic interface of the EU。 。。。more