Practicing Democracy

Rating:
Summary: read this book
Review: This book is broadly synthetic, deeply though implicitly historiographical, and deliciously sublime. I've read it now twice and though it may occasionally flag under the impressive crush of its voluminously well-documented research, the clarity of its ambition provides much worth reading and thinking about.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book for academics and non-academics alike
Review: This is one of the most important books written on political culture in Imperial Germany. Anderson skillfully demonstrates that this era contained a vibrant culture of political contestation and democratic spirit. Despite the authoritarian aspects of the Imperial German government and constitution, Germans did not blindly follow the lead of entrenched elites.

In addition to its many contributions to academic debates in modern German history, _Practicing Democracy_ is a lively, well-written book, with wonderful anecdotes and engaging prose. It would be stimulating even for those with only an amateur interest in history.

The recent U.S. election debacle also adds saliency to what Anderson has to say. Much of her material is drawn from the records of election challenges, and offers insights into the difficult process of conducting free and fair elections, while also pointing out that ideas of election fairness are culturally conditioned.

As a historian of Germany and a lover of books and politics, I give this book my highest recommendation.