Berlin Rising: Biography of a City

Berlin's infamous militaristic streak evolved from its role as capital of Prussia (a small, threatened country with a large army) and later the German Empire. But not everyone marched in lockstep with the demands of their overseers: over the centuries, Berliners developed an acid wit and sarcasm to puncture militaristic pomposity. Thus, the city has a kind of dual ``personality,'' which was most evident in the culturally stimulating Weimar period. Even under the Nazis, Berliners had a reputation for being the least obedient Germans. The authors, who have written several popular histories relating to WW II and Germany, also emphasize the social and economic achievements of foreign settlers and their descendants, most notably French Huguenots, who were welcomed by Prussian rulers to the relatively underpopulated region. They also highlight the substantial contributions of Berlin's Jewish residents, most of whom perished in Nazi death camps. This is a breezy, readable history, at times a bit giddy. (In a section on John F. Kennedy's famous 1963 visit, the authors call him ``a modern white knight straight from Camelot.'') Photos. (June)