Why the Germans Do It Better

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Why the Germans Do It Better: Notes from a Grown-Up Country
First edition
AuthorJohn Kampfner
PublisherAtlantic Books
Publication date
27 August 2020 (2020-08-27)
Pages320
ISBN978-1-78649-978-3

Why the Germans Do It Better: Notes from a Grown-Up Country is a 2020 book by British journalist John Kampfner.

Publication rights in the Commonwealth of Nations, excluding Canada, were acquired by Atlantic Books in March 2019.[1]

Summary[edit]

Reception[edit]

Critical reception[edit]

Ben Hall for the Financial Times praised the work as "well-timed and well-aimed" in light of Germany's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] David Edgerton in The Guardian suggested that the book was not just a study of Germany, but also a comparison between the United Kingdom after Brexit, and Germany.[3] Similarly, Ruadhán Mac Cormaic for The Irish Times described the work as a "lament on the state of contemporary, growth-stunted Britain".[4] Matthew Qvortrup described the book in Prospect as a "well-argued case" to learn from Germany.[5] Oliver Moody of The Times described the book as an "impeccably fair guide" to Germany.[6] Anne McElvoy for The Observer said the book was an "even-handed hymn to Germany" that "underlines why Britain will need its help in a post-Brexit world".[7] Simon Heffer in The Daily Telegraph awarded the book two out of five stars.[8]

Awards[edit]

The book was long-listed for the 2021 Orwell Prize.[9]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Mansfield, Katie (4 March 2019). "Kampfner's 'provocative' Why the Germans Do It Better goes to Atlantic". The Bookseller. Archived from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  2. ^ Hall, Ben (22 September 2020). "Why the Germans Do it Better by John Kampfner — paean to a nation". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  3. ^ Edgerton, David (22 August 2020). "Why the Germans Do It Better by John Kampfner review – notes from a grown-up country". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 15 February 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  4. ^ Mac Cormaic, Ruadhán (31 August 2020). "Why the Germans Do it Better: A lively, affectionate portrait". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 15 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  5. ^ Qvortrup, Matthew (6 October 2020). "Why the Germans do it better". Prospect. Archived from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  6. ^ Moody, Oliver (20 August 2020). "Why the Germans do it Better by John Kampfner review — Germany, almost a normal nation". The Times. Archived from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  7. ^ McElvoy, Anne (7 September 2020). "Why the Germans Do it Better by John Kampfner review – in praise of the powerhouse". The Observer. Archived from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  8. ^ Heffer, Simon (31 August 2020). "Are Germans really more 'grown-up' than Brits?". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  9. ^ Comerford, Ruth (9 April 2021). "Granta and Dialogue claim multiple titles on Orwell Prize longlists". The Bookseller. Archived from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.

External links[edit]