First published on Amazon.co.uk, 2002
No doubt spurred on by the success of his earlier, similar work, France Today, in Germany and the Germans John Ardagh has gamely taken as his subject what is surely the most complex and multi-faceted of western European countries. And his gameness pays off. A writer and journalist of many years’ experience, Ardagh has managed to gather an incredible volume and range of material and present it in a coherent structure, all in his eminently readable, conversational style.
All German life is in this book, from obvious and major topics like the transformation of the country since 1945 from a destroyed nation to an industrial and economic giant, the federal system with its highs and lows, and the reunification in 1990 and its consequences (up to 1995, when the latest edition was published), to smaller, no less interesting themes, such as the banality of German television, the unique German brand of social snobbery, and the paradoxical German passions for fast cars and the environment.
Ardagh has a unique perspective on the subject, being the British husband of a German. This allows him to present his subject matter with a refreshing combination of both the critical eye of the outsider, and the affection and understanding of a “German by marriage”, with many years’ experience of the country and its people. (Indeed, Ardagh’s wife Katharina was the research assistant for the book.)
Also, his research skills are considerable. He has conducted seemingly countless interviews, with everyone from regional politicians to prominent film-makers to “the man on the street”. Quotes and background information from these interviews are used throughout the book as they are relevant. This greatly reinforces the impression of authority and grass-roots research behind the book.
The sheer volume of this background information leads me to one of a few minor quibbles. Many quotes are simply attributed to, for example, “a Swabian barmaid I met” or “a local shopkeeper”. While one can argue that sometimes it may not be necessary to give full details for a quote, such vagueness carries the chummy, conversational style too far, and is unwelcome in what is, after all, a reference work. Also, Ardagh sometimes allows personal concerns to come to the fore a little too much, which again detracts from the air of authority a reference work should have. For instance, at one point he begins a sentence, “In the eyes of an Oxford man like myself …”. On the subject of German university life, he comments: “…there are even student rowing-races, and girls lazing in punts, as pretty as any on the Cherwell.” Cringe.
However, these are minor lapses. On the whole, Germany and the Germans is probably the most authoritative, comprehensive, and readable work available on this subject, and will be of great interest and use to anyone who wants a deep insight into this vast and intriguing country. For me as an English speaker living in Germany, it filled many gaps in my knowledge, confirmed some prejudices, and dismantled others. Ardagh’s achievement is to be applauded.
© Orla Shanaghy 2002 and 2007
