"An original take on 20th-century European history. Illuminates the city as a symbolic vehicle for the representation of powerful ideas."--Alastair Bailey, Financial Times "[A] fascinating chronicle."--Benjamin Balint, Wall Street Journal "A really original and at times disturbing account of the ways in which war, politics and personal ambition shaped the cities of central Europe in the years after the war. This is really a very impressive achievement, which will change the way you look at the cities at the heart of Europe."--Rob Spence, Shiny New Books Shortlisted for the 2026 Laura Shannon Prize in Contemporary European Studies, sponsored by the Nanovic Institute for European Studies "Marvellously rich and beautifully written. Here are the stories, myths, anecdotes and calamities of Old Towns, and how their citizens, planners and conquerors dealt with (and caused) destruction. No critical lover of Europe should be without this book.

"--Neal Ascherson, author of The Struggles for Poland "I thought I was well travelled in the region, but Marek Kohn managed time and again to tell me stories, large and small, that I didn't know."--John Kampfner, author of Why the Germans Do It Better "A remarkable, vitally important reconstruction of the history of Old Towns and the role they play in Europe. Outstanding."--Rosemary Wakeman, author of A Modern History of European Cities "Marek Kohn has identified a fascinating and unexplored subject, his research is meticulous, and the stories are stirring. This really is a new take on old Europe. Very good indeed."--Eva Hoffman, author of Lost in Translation.