No European city has undergone as much upheaval in the last fifteen years as Moscow. The stage for the fall of a world empire and the rebirth of a globally connected Russia, Moscow has transformed from a monochrome capital city to a new Babylon iridescent with neon lights. Karl Schlogel’s "Moscow" offers a fascinating and engaging portrait of this international metropolis in transformation.
First published in German in 1984, and now rapidly attaining the status of a classic work, this debut English edition of "Moscow" has been updated with a new introduction and conclusion covering the post-Soviet period. Schlogel describes the modern history of Moscow from various aspects, as he explores the city’s streets and unearths the rich histories of its buildings, monuments and parks. He traverses Moscow’s streets like a flaneur, unravelling the meanings and stories of monasteries and cemeteries, railway stations, barracks, Jugendstil villas, underground stations and more.
Moscow is a city where the past and future continually clash, and it struggles to define its global role in the twenty-first century. Karl Schlogel’s insightful observations provide a valuable window into the complex and resilient character of the ever-evolving capital and its citizens.
About author
Karl Schlogel is a historian and essayist and teaches at the Europa University Vadrina in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany. His many books include histories of Berlin and Petersburg, and he won the European Charles Veillon essay prize in 1990 and the Anna Krüger prize in 1999.
Reviews
"In Moscow – the new, first-ever translation of his 1984 book 'Moscow Lesen', regarded as a classic in art and architecture circles – German historian Karl Schlogel draws a portrait of a city that hides its past, where information that is publicly ignored or suppressed is a matter of private excitement. Colorful anecdotes illustrate his point" – The Moscow Times
"an entertaining and insightful study of Moscow, one that prompts the reader to explore the city further" – Russian Review
