Winner of the Europe Book Prize One of Europe's most preeminent investigative journalists travels to the Czech Republic--the Czech half of the former Czechoslovakia, the land that brought us Kafka--to explore the surreal fictions and the extraordinary reality of its twentieth century. For example, there's the story of the small businessman who adopted Henry Ford's ideas on productivity to create the world's largest shoe company--and hired modernist giants such as Le Corbusier to design his company towns (which were also ...
Read More
Winner of the Europe Book Prize One of Europe's most preeminent investigative journalists travels to the Czech Republic--the Czech half of the former Czechoslovakia, the land that brought us Kafka--to explore the surreal fictions and the extraordinary reality of its twentieth century. For example, there's the story of the small businessman who adopted Henry Ford's ideas on productivity to create the world's largest shoe company--and hired modernist giants such as Le Corbusier to design his company towns (which were also the birthplaces of Ivana Trump and Tom Stoppard). Or the story of Kafka's niece, who loaned her name to writers blacklisted under the Communist regime so they could keep publishing. Or the story of the singer Karel Gott, winner of the country's Best Male Vocalist Award thirty-six years in a row, whose summer home, Gottland , is the Czech Dollywood. Based on meticulous research and hundreds of interviews with everyone from filmmakers to writers to pop stars to ordinary citizens, Gottland is a kaleidoscopic portrait of a resilient people living through difficult and often bizarre times--equally funny, disturbing, stirring and absurd . . . in a word, Kafkaesque.
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. There is handwriting inside the front cover. Cover/Case has some rubbing and edgewear. Access codes, CD's, slipcovers and other accessories may not be included.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Dust jacket in very good condition. First edition, first printing. Minor shelf and handling wear, overall a clean solid copy with minimal signs of use. Secure packaging for safe delivery.