Book Review: Hitler’s Private Library, by Timothy W. Ryback
Hitler’s Books The barbarisms of the Third Reich are common knowledge, running the gambit from genocide to a stranglehold on intellectual and artistic life via censorship and propaganda. Among these cultural atrocities fell the burning of books, as happened on May10, 1933 at some 30 German and Austrian universities. Therefore, it is surprising to learn [...]
Body Language Voter
The Viennese mayoral elections are over, but that doesn’t mean that we’ve stopped thinking about it – or that we can’t go back and reflect on whom they should have voted for. Let’s say, for example, that you are someone living in Vienna without a firm grasp on the German language. And let’s say, that [...]
Book Review: Europe’s Promise, by Steven Hill
The European Way Despair, debt, and doubt – all have dragged down the economy of the United States over the past few years. Politicians offer the latest remedy for the ailing giant, but no matter what the country tries, growth seems slow in coming. While the nation is trying to lift itself out of a [...]
Slovakian Dialogue
The daughter of a journalist and wife of a political humorist, Slovakian prime minister Iveta Radicova now finds herself in a position where she can apply lessons learned during the communist and democratic years in her attempts to reform the rules under which the country’s media operate. In the wake of a shooting spree in [...]
Tradition on Tap
Who knows if it’s the sound of the bottle opening, the gurgling rush of frothing liquid it makes when poured, or if it’s simply the golden color that’s so mesmerizing. One thing is for certain – the tradition of great beer, wherever it may be, is captivating. Austria, like any country proud of its brewing [...]
Book Review: Words of Freedom
Audacity of Truth Telling the truth remains a dangerous preoccupation in many parts of the world. Since 1997, over 950 journalists have been killed because of their work in crisis regions. Dictatorships, theocracies and some struggling new democracies have done everything in their power to suppress the implementation of a free press. Journalists are still [...]
Book Review: Christopher Hitchens’ Love, Poverty & War
A contrarian with a penchant for Johnny Walker Black Label, renowned public intellectual Christopher Hitchens is a man with a clearly defined mission. He is an eloquent speaker and just as smooth with a pen, and rarely backs down from a challenge, whether it’s a tough story or tough issue. A committed Marxist and passionate [...]
Re-Regulation and Democracy
It has taken almost two years since the collapse of Lehman Brothers, and more than three years since the beginning of the global recession brought on by the financial sector’s misdeeds for the United States and Europe finally to reform financial regulation. Perhaps we should celebrate the regulatory victories in both Europe and the United [...]
Stripped Down and Personal
When was the last time air travel was truly sexy? Not lately, that’s for sure. In fact, the last time probably predates most people’s memories; but that doesn’t mean the today’s frustrations of flying have to deflate your mood. Time was when the family would dress in their Sunday best to climb aboard some long-vanished [...]
On The RoadFebruary 23, 2011No CommentRead More