Thank you for this excellent review. I had not heard of the book or the author. I am German and lived there until I was 22 when I moved to the US as a graduate student. I am now 54 and have lived in the US all this time. I am married and have two teenage daughters. My family has traveled to Germany with me on summer vacations, but I always struggle to really bring the German soul to them particularly to my daughters. My husband is American. I want my daughters to understand Germany as much as possible. I will read this book and probably make my husband read it as well 😊 my daughters are probably a bit too young for it now.
German contributions were immense. Which, as you point out, makes the countries descent even more perplexing. Love the word “bildung “? The book sounds great.
Yes! It's bildung, I wonder if it's popped up in any form in our teaching programs. You might really like this book, would love to hear what you think about this one.
Wonderful book, have also been recomending it "as a gateway to German culture". There's no other culture, nation that has experienced ALL the different playbooks of development and civilization humans could come up with in the last 300 years. From feudal to nation state, from nazism to communism to democracy. From enlightenment to barbarism, from the most liberal to the most totalitarian mind set. German history and therefore cultural experience is the most diverse of them all. One could argue: All in the pursuit of "Bildung", finding answers to the most existential questions.
Good review! Should we include that Watson is as brilliant and writes as well as his subjects? Watson's From Fire to Freud and The Modern Mind are also masterpieces. The latter provides a comprehensive understanding of what happened in the 20th century as does Fire to Freud all of human history.
Just reading this now and realised I know next to nothing about Germany. I bought this book because I read Watson’s Convergence (twice!) which in my humble opinion is the most mind blowing book one can ever lay their eyes on and must be (not read all his books, but still!) the ultimate masterpiece of his career. I’m enjoying The German Genius so far, but it won’t be able to compete with Convergence as Convergence is beyond particular cultures and nations. For any non-fiction lover out there this is an absolute must. The ideas and concepts tackled in Convergence make my heart race and stimulate my mind like nothing else could. I’m sure that in a couple of years I’ll be picking it up again with renewed interest as the more you read and the more you learn you will uncover more layers to the book than you thought there are previously.
Good to see there r a few others reading this great book! Anyone wanting to understand last cenury--read Watson's modern miind. His fire to Freud is the best intellectual history starting 2 mil b.c. To the present.
I"VE MISSED YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your reviews are just so damn good! Edit: Dammit, I wrote out an interesting comment, sort of, and it didn't post. I probably hit the wrong button. It was basically that although I am completely horrified and interested in the Holocaust, it does overshadow so much of what else Germany had on offer(In my mind and from what you said, pretty much everyone else's).! I mean, my goodness, this list of names in this video is proof of that! I had no idea and didn't really connect up the names with Germany. UGH! The Holocaust is always top on my mind whenever I hear "Germany"...and also Mozart, Beethoven, Bach. I am a classical pianist and have studied their work in college and ever since(obviously). This book is coming home with me. It sounds fascinating!
Why did you stop making videos? It's a pity because they were and are very interesting. Would you mind to start doing them, please?
Thank you for this excellent review. I had not heard of the book or the author. I am German and lived there until I was 22 when I moved to the US as a graduate student. I am now 54 and have lived in the US all this time. I am married and have two teenage daughters. My family has traveled to Germany with me on summer vacations, but I always struggle to really bring the German soul to them particularly to my daughters. My husband is American. I want my daughters to understand Germany as much as possible. I will read this book and probably make my husband read it as well 😊 my daughters are probably a bit too young for it now.
German contributions were immense. Which, as you point out, makes the countries descent even more perplexing. Love the word “bildung “? The book sounds great.
Yes! It's bildung, I wonder if it's popped up in any form in our teaching programs. You might really like this book, would love to hear what you think about this one.
Wonderful book, have also been recomending it "as a gateway to German culture". There's no other culture, nation that has experienced ALL the different playbooks of development and civilization humans could come up with in the last 300 years. From feudal to nation state, from nazism to communism to democracy. From enlightenment to barbarism, from the most liberal to the most totalitarian mind set. German history and therefore cultural experience is the most diverse of them all. One could argue: All in the pursuit of "Bildung", finding answers to the most existential questions.
Wonderful information and beautifully expressed. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
As a recommendation from a fellow fan of Thomas Mann I’ll put this on my list!
Good review! Should we include that Watson is as brilliant and writes as well as his subjects?
Watson's From Fire to Freud and The Modern Mind are also masterpieces. The latter provides a comprehensive understanding of what happened in the 20th century as does Fire to Freud all of human history.
Just reading this now and realised I know next to nothing about Germany. I bought this book because I read Watson’s Convergence (twice!) which in my humble opinion is the most mind blowing book one can ever lay their eyes on and must be (not read all his books, but still!) the ultimate masterpiece of his career. I’m enjoying The German Genius so far, but it won’t be able to compete with Convergence as Convergence is beyond particular cultures and nations. For any non-fiction lover out there this is an absolute must. The ideas and concepts tackled in Convergence make my heart race and stimulate my mind like nothing else could. I’m sure that in a couple of years I’ll be picking it up again with renewed interest as the more you read and the more you learn you will uncover more layers to the book than you thought there are previously.
Good to see there r a few others reading this great book! Anyone wanting to understand last cenury--read Watson's modern miind. His fire to Freud is the best intellectual history starting 2 mil b.c. To the present.
I love this book. What other book recommendations (like this one) are there of German Intelligence and culture?
I"VE MISSED YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your reviews are just so damn good! Edit: Dammit, I wrote out an interesting comment, sort of, and it didn't post. I probably hit the wrong button. It was basically that although I am completely horrified and interested in the Holocaust, it does overshadow so much of what else Germany had on offer(In my mind and from what you said, pretty much everyone else's).! I mean, my goodness, this list of names in this video is proof of that! I had no idea and didn't really connect up the names with Germany. UGH! The Holocaust is always top on my mind whenever I hear "Germany"...and also Mozart, Beethoven, Bach. I am a classical pianist and have studied their work in college and ever since(obviously). This book is coming home with me. It sounds fascinating!
I've missed you too, you lovely, kind person!! I am jealous of your talents, I wish I could play piano. Hugs from over here!
”Been reading a lot of non fiction related to my own interests”
So u checked out schwabs (not so) gr8 reset I hope? 😂
I will read and revise this commemt
As a German I am surprised about that wide range of inventive brains that my country has produced.
I am curious what he says about my people.
Not Through Enough.