Munich themes in your mother tongue
Wassily Kandinsky and
Gabriele Münter
By Annegret Hoberg
Prestel Verlag, 1994
At the center of the famous “Blue Rider” artist group, formed in Munich in 1911, were Gabriele Münter and her teacher-cum-lover, Wassily Kandinsky. The book chronicles their passionate and ultimately heartbreaking affair — which lasted from 1902 to 1917 — through letters exchanged between them and diary entries written by Münter. The romantic language of the early 20th century is endearing as are the book’s numerous original photographs. MF wrap-up: Though mainly an exchange of romantic expression, the letters share a fascinating insider’s view of the Blue Rider group.
Walking in the Bavarian Alps
By Grant Bourne and
Sabine Kröner-Bourne
Cicerone Press, 1997
Hiking guides written in English are hard to come by in Bavaria. General information is available, but the necessary details of where to go and what to expect when you get there are often missing. Walking in the Bavarian Alps is a real find for English speakers wanting to enjoy the magnificence of the Alps on foot. This pocket-sized guide describes 57 walks and hikes covering the Allgäu, Ammergau, Wetterstein, Tegernsee, Chiemgau and Berchtesgaden Alps. Diagrams for the grade of each walk are included as well as detailed directions, level of fitness recommended and sights to enjoy along the way. This easy-to-follow book also includes the name and number of relevant Alpenverein maps. MF wrap-up: A welcome addition to your backpack.
Munich and Memory
By Gavriel D. Rosenfeld
University of California Press, March, 2000
Most people associate Munich with charming beer gardens, the beauty of the Isar in spring and the exquisite architecture of Ludwig von Klenze. But Munich’s past, as the center of the Nazi movement, will forever be a topic linked to the Bavarian capital, as well. Though Germans often buried the pain and shame of World War II, they healed some of the wounds through their rebuilding efforts. In his book Munich and Memory, Gavriel D. Rosenfeld discusses the journey that Germans embarked upon as they rebuilt their country. The writer leaves no stone unturned as he describes the history of monuments and buildings in Munich and the attitudes toward each in the postwar years. MF wrap-up: Offers an insightful look into the German psyche while providing a wealth of interesting historical information.
Subway Architecture in Munich
By Christoph Hackelsberger
Prestel Verlag, 1997
You absently board the U-Bahn day in and day out, your daily commute programmed in your subconscious. But did you ever take a moment to look around, to take in the architecture and, in some cases, art in Munich’s U-Bahn stations? In a beautifully illustrated coffee-table-style book, Christoph Hackelsberger explains the planning and effort that has gone into Munich’s ever-expanding subway system. The book, written in both German and English, is an extraordinarily eye-catching work on delightfully unusual subject matter. MF wrap-up: An excellent gift for curious residents and modern architecture buffs.
Insight Pocket Guides Munich
By Joachim Beust
APA Publications, 1999
Though you won’t find many secret sites or hidden restaurants in this guide, it is packed with all the essentials for a visit to Munich. The book begins with three one-day itineraries designed to allow those with limited time here to cover a great deal of Munich by hitting the highlights, such as the city center. Several half-day walking tours enable visitors to choose an itinerary based on special interests. The guide also includes popular day trips to King Ludwig’s castles and Andechs Monastery. Short historical notes about Munich and its environs are distributed throughout — perfect to push into the hand of houseguests when you don’t have the time to be their personal tour guide. MF wrap-up: Follow the suggestions in this book and you won’t miss any of Munich’s essential sites.
These books, as well as other english titles, are available at Word’sWorth Booksellers, Schellingstr. 21a, Munich, Tel. (089) 280 91 41.
