Alumni Travel Reading: Elbe River

A relatively brief volume (at 293 pages) for its scope, this title covers more than a thousand years of German history, from the Middle Ages to the present. This introduction is intended for the general reader and will prepare travelers to Germany with context from the country’s rich social, political and cultural past.

An authoritative, yet readable, biography of Martin Luther, written by a specialist in Reformation history.

A portrait of Johann Sebastian Bach by a renowned interpreter of his music. Incorporating the most recent scholarship on the composer, the book explores Bach's life and music through the unique lens of the performer.

A real-life mystery chronicling Wilson's painstaking work on the lost history and music of little-known composer, Johann Adolf Hasse. The reader will learn about not only the composer, but the history of the Dresden Court and the science and importance of manuscripts to contemporary research.

An accurate, if generalized, portrayal of modern German customs. This insightful text prepares the novice and seasoned tourist to Germany for what can be surprising, yet fascinating, cultural differences.

An entertaining guide to the brewing, tasting and history of beer. The last third of the book delves into the specifics of the major beer families, including lagers, among them the Bohemian and German pilsners, continental ales and weissbiers, like Kӧlsch, Hefeweizen and Gose.