As such, the many key events of the 20th century which have shaped the Czechs are touched upon. “Gottland” follows a timeline starting at the very end of the 19th century and finishing in 2004, when the Czech Republic joined the European Union. However, anyone who lives among the Czechs or is planning to do so can benefit greatly from reading this book. Szczygiel, an admitted Czechophile, initially intended the book for his fellow Poles to better understand their Czech neighbors. “Gottland” was first published in Polish in 2006, with the English translation made available in 2014. Written by award winning Polish journalist, Mariusz Szczygiel, this book is very likely the most in depth and accessible volume on the subject available to the general interest reader. Happily, for non-Czechs and Czechs alike who would like a better grasp of the people and their ways, there is “Gottland”. In fact, I have met more Czechs than not that had trouble explaining such things adequately. As a foreigner living here since 2004, I can attest to the fact that there are a great many quirks and idiosyncrasies to the Czechs that I have yet to fully appreciate why they occur. In many reference sources, the Czechs are often claimed to be one of the most enigmatic and difficult to comprehend cultures in Europe.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |