Today's Germany has retained significant elements of its predecessor states, the Empire and the Nazi-Third Reich. Some of what survived the latter's collapse in 1945 lives on and compounds the country's dark heritage, marked by certain deficiencies in democratic structures or institutions, still being predicated on various shades of authoritarian governance. Whilst intended as a bold fresh start post World War II Germany retained significant authoritarian elements, which have influenced or in some cases absorbed parts of the new constitutional bodies. Authoritarian effects are felt in particular in education, the legal system, government structure in the widest sense and the undercurrent of the country's subconscious self-awareness, effectively how Germany ticks.

In addition to the sharp eye of the analyst the author contributes own, hands-on experience and problem awareness. By fate he is older than the Federal Republic and had to witness the complete collapse of what the Germans at the time rather pompously liked to call The-Thousand-Year-Empire. If you want to know how Germany and the Germans tick this book is a must.

Read about the Germans' centuries of rivalries and endeaviurs to expand theiir sphere of influence, including efforts to expand their own dominance over other countries.