Before It's Too Late - The Smart Set
Monday, April 6, 2020Czechoslovaks were ready to greet them with lead.
But Czechoslovakia’s general mobilization would come to naught. On September 30, the government announced that it was forced to accept the Munich Agreement, in which its allies — Great Britain and France — had conceded to the Third Reich’s invasion of the Sudetenland. Less than a year later, World War II would begin.
In his latest book, The Bell of Treason, University of Cambridge historian P. E. Caquet details the history of the Munich Agreement. Caquet not only engagingly recounts Czechoslovakia’s betrayal by its supposed allies, but convincingly argues that the British and French would have saved themselves years of brutal war if they had stood by their commitments to Czechoslovakia and halted the Third Reich on their own terms — before having to face Hitler on his terms.
I recently spoke with Caquet about The Bell of Treason, Nazi propaganda, and the inevitability of war against the Third Reich. Our conversation below has been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.
Arvind Dilawar: What inspired you to re-examine the events leading up to the Munich Agreement? Why now?
P. E. Caquet: I have always wanted to tell the story of Munich, especially from the vantage point of the Czechoslovaks. It is the most interesting and the most poignant vantage point both because the Czechoslovaks understood best what was going on and because they stood in the very midst of the crisis. Czechoslovakia was where the drama was. Afterward, Czech and Slovak historians were prevented from telling that story themselves because they found themselves under Communist censorship for 40 years. This perpetuated false theories of defeatism and betrayal by the “bourgeois” republic of the interwar years. Actually the Czechoslovaks wanted to fight. They knew exactly what Hitler was up to. Yet they were unable to make the French and, especially, the British see the light. It makes for an extraordinarily tense and ultimately tragic story.
AD: The First Czechoslovak Republic was formed in the aftermath of World War I, from what were previously parts of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Did the t...https://www.thesmartset.com/before-its-too-late/
April showers, spiders and dew: German weather lore - DW (English)
Monday, April 6, 2020The world's oldest mountain observatory is the meteorological observatory at Hohenpeissenberg, situated in the foothills of the Alps about 60 kilometers southwest of Munich. Meteorological measurements began there in 1781, and the station constantly works on "methods to improve weather forecast and emergency alerts," according to its website. From the start, it was part of a weather observation network including dozens of stations spread out from the Ural Mountains in Russia to North America and from Greenland to the Mediterranean Sea. While scientists now use algorithms and large amounts of data for weather forecasts, early weather predictions usually relied on persistence, experience and watching wildlife and recurring natural phenomena. Swallows and spiders, dew drops and thunderstorms: Some proverbs were probably more accurate than others... Check out the picture gallery for popular German weather lore. You'll find more from Meet the Germans on YouTube or at dw.com/MeettheGermans, and check out DW's cartoon series That's so German for a humorous take on German culture and stereotypes.
https://www.dw.com/en/april-showers-spiders-and-dew-german-weather-lore/a-52430235
Southern Germany offers a scenic look at mountainous highs and historic lows - CT Insider
Sunday, January 26, 2020Related Stories
We headed for the mountains and a sizable lake near Munich in early fall with a little guidance from relatives in northern Germany and with that John Cleese scene in my head from “Fawlty Towers” where he keeps warning himself: “Don’t mention the war!”
The trip was made more feasible by a decent price to fly from Hartford to Munich (albeit via Montreal’s airport, where we had the week’s most expensive meal). Which brings us to the reason for this article in January: You need to plan now for a summer or fall trip to Europe; airlines look at last-minute travelers like a lion eyeing a gimpy antelope.
We didn’t visit our relatives this time because, while they live in an uncrowded area, the rest of the country is popular for big cities, such as Berlin, Hamburg, Dresden, Cologne and Frankfurt. We prefer mountains, lakes and villages.
We rented a car (do check with your insurance agent ahead of time; I learned later we weren’t covered in Germany all week) and we didn’t even stop in Munich, where the famous, crowded Oktoberfest was underway. Instead, we headed a short ways south for the combined scenic towns of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, stopping along the way near Oberammergau to see Ettal Abbey. It’s a nicely kept Benedictine monastery where you can buy not only a little ice cream in the gift shop but bottles of their beer. (This is when I first indulged my sophomoric amusement at how German words can mean something different to us, as I bought a bottle of Ettaler Kloster-Hell, or simply Hell for short. Later came Badgasse road, the Schmuck store and “Gute Fahrt!” on a gas station handle.)
...https://www.ctinsider.com/entertainment/ctpost/article/Southern-Germany-offers-a-scenic-look-at-14981609.php
The Most Beautiful Cities in Germany - World Atlas
Sunday, January 26, 2020Here are some of the cities that pop up whenever the best places in Germany are mentioned.
10. Nuremberg
Nuremberg is the second largest Bavarian city after Munich, with a population of approximately 512,000 residents. The city is known for many things but the most common is the Nuremberg Trial which remains pivotal in the history of Germany. Nuremberg’s origin dates back a millennium and over the years it developed into one of the most important cities in Europe. The city has plenty of places to visit, including old churches, imperial castles, and the Nazi trial grounds. Nuremberg is a pedestrian-friendly city, with the pedestrian-only zone covering a large part of the city.
9. Hamburg
Hamburg is the second-largest city in Germany after Berlin and the 8th largest in the EU. The city is home to over 1.8 million residents. It is located on the banks of River Eibe and its tributaries and its name reflect the city’s medieval history. Hamburg is known for the impressive red-brick Speicherstadt which is a World Heritage Site. Apart from the buildings, the city has plenty of nightlife, with most party-seekers frequenting the Reeperbahn, popularly known as “German’s most sinful mile.” Hamburg is also Europe’s research, science, and educational hub.
8. Cologne
The city of Cologne is set on the banks of the Rhine River. It is German’s fourth-largest city with a population of about 1.1 million residents. The city has a rich history spanning over 2,000 years and features diverse architectural style including ancient Roman walls and medieval churches, as well as post-war constructions. The city’s major attraction is the Cologne Cathedral which is the largest cathedral in Germany. Another thing that makes Cologne a beautiful city are the friendly local people...https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/most-beautiful-cities-in-germany.html
The perfect destination foHere is why Germany is the perfect destination for your next holidayr your holiday! Discover nature in Germany - Emirates Woman
Sunday, January 26, 2020Alps are characterised by green trees and extensive forests.Rhön UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: at the corner of the three German states, Bavaria, Hesse and ThuringiaThe Rhôn hills are located in the heart of Germany and offer a wide range of beautiful views! And if you are a fan of athletic activities, you can try gliding, water sports, and indulge in a spot of star gazing.Jasmund National Park Mecklenburg-Western Pomeraniait takes you right along the cliffs and features enough natural treasures for several holidays. White chalk cliffs, lush beech forests and the shimmering blue of the sea. You’ll catch sight of a rare white-tailed eagle circling in the skies, while far below a thousand different species of beetle scuttle through the undergrowth in this landscape of contrasts.Black Forest National Park, Baden-Württemberg, South GermanyPerfect for cleansing your lungs. The remarkable feature of this national park is that some areas have been able to develop for more than 100 years without human intervention. This means that all the animals and plants that are found here live in authentic, natural surroundings.You can use Deutsche Bahn trains all over Germany, where it uses 100% green energy. In addition, you can take the InterCity Express for a unique experience, as it is a high-speed train that connects all major cities in Germany with speeds of up to 300 km / hour, and this is one of the fastest ways to reach between Berlin, Hamburg and Cologne!Check out their Instagram: GermanyTourismAr, and Facebook: Germany Tourism Arabia– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene straight to your newsfeed, follow us on Facebook Media: Supplied...https://emirateswoman.com/germany/
Is Staten Island’s beer scene getting stale? - SILive.com
Sunday, January 26, 2020Advance/Pamela SiHOT STYLES IN THE CITYMost popular on Staten Island at the moment, based on a casual poll of a several restaurants, are IPAs and sour beers.Said Ken Tirado, owner of Killmeyer’s Old Bavaria Inn, Charleston, “Ironically, like many people my age, my taste buds had a hard time adjusting to the bitter and sour tastes of IPAs and sour Goses.”He added, “New breweries pop up all the time and I have surrendered half my draught lines to local breweries.”Juicy Lucy BBQ in Ocean Breeze finds sales of spiked seltzers dominate over mainstream and craft brews. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela SiAnd the two local brewers -- the borough lost its Mariners Harbor-based Staten Island Brewing Co. last year -- are guiding the fields of style and flavor as well.Flagship’s head brewer Mark Szmaida said he plans for the Tompkinsville taproom to feature an exclusive sour beer. He’ll also be testing the waters on a hard seltzer. In the works for February is the brew crew’s Irish Coffee Pastry Stout, a strong stout at 8% aged on whiskey-oak chips. Szmaida selected Staten Island’s own Unique Coffee Roasters as the “Joe” of choice to pair with cocoa nibs and vanilla in the mash. Recently, Flagship collaborated with Holtermann’s for a crumb cake-inspired creation. p class="article__paragraph article__paragraph--left" id="U6...https://www.silive.com/entertainment/2020/01/is-staten-islands-beer-scene-getting-stale.html
Southern Germany offers a scenic look at mountainous highs and historic lows - CT Insider
Sunday, January 26, 2020Here’s the great thing about Bavaria and southern Germany for visitors, aside from abundant history and scenery: Germans generally are direct, organized and go by the rules. That’s not just their rep; it’s what we observed.
On the famous Autobahn, they use the left lane to legally go as fast as they want but they slow down when the overhead signs drop the speed limit to 100 kilometers an hour, or even 70. They don’t weave and cut you off like the average highway here.
When they stack firewood in a shed, it’s done precisely, a work of art. If they’re growing apples, the limbs are staked neatly and verically on thin threes with netting above. With similar dedication to organization and standards, the beer they serve is inexpensive and consistently good (don’t ask for an IPA).
Related Stories
...https://www.ctinsider.com/entertainment/ctpost/article/Southern-Germany-offers-a-scenic-look-at-14981609.php
The Most Beautiful Cities in Germany - World Atlas
Sunday, January 26, 2020Germany varies from one author to the other. Here are some of the cities that pop up whenever the best places in Germany are mentioned.
10. Nuremberg
Nuremberg is the second largest Bavarian city after Munich, with a population of approximately 512,000 residents. The city is known for many things but the most common is the Nuremberg Trial which remains pivotal in the history of Germany. Nuremberg’s origin dates back a millennium and over the years it developed into one of the most important cities in Europe. The city has plenty of places to visit, including old churches, imperial castles, and the Nazi trial grounds. Nuremberg is a pedestrian-friendly city, with the pedestrian-only zone covering a large part of the city.
9. Hamburg
Hamburg is the second-largest city in Germany after Berlin and the 8th largest in the EU. The city is home to over 1.8 million residents. It is located on the banks of River Eibe and its tributaries and its name reflect the city’s medieval history. Hamburg is known for the impressive red-brick Speicherstadt which is a World Heritage Site. Apart from the buildings, the city has plenty of nightlife, with most party-seekers frequenting the Reeperbahn, popularly known as “German’s most sinful mile.” Hamburg is also Europe’s research, science, and educational hub.
8. Cologne
The city of Cologne is set on the banks of the Rhine River. It is German’s fourth-largest city with a population of about 1.1 million residents. The city has a rich history spanning over 2,000 years and features diverse architectural style including ancient Roman walls and medieval churches, as well as post-war constructions. The city’s major attraction is the Cologne Cathedral which is the largest cathedral in Germany. Another thing that makes Cologne a beau...https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/most-beautiful-cities-in-germany.html