Why the Germans Do it Better

A provocative and entertaining exploration of the country that Britons love to hate by one of our most respected journalists.

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***THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER***
BOOK OF THE YEAR IN GUARDIAN, ECONOMIST & NEW STATESMAN
LONGLISTED FOR THE 2021 ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL WRITING

'Excellent and provocative... a passionate, timely book.' Sunday Times
'A fine new book... thoughtful, deeply reported and impeccably even-handed.' The Times

Emerging from a collection of city states 150 years ago, no other country has had as turbulent a history as Germany or enjoyed so much prosperity in such a short time frame. Today, as much of the world succumbs to authoritarianism and democracy is undermined from its heart, Germany stands as a bulwark for decency and stability.

Mixing personal journey and anecdote with compelling empirical evidence, this is a critical and entertaining exploration of the country many in the West still love to hate. Raising important questions for our post-Brexit landscape, Kampfner asks why, despite its faults, Germany has become a model for others to emulate, while Britain fails to tackle contemporary challenges. Part memoir, part history, part travelogue, Why the Germans Do It Better is a rich and witty portrait of an eternally fascinating country.