Golden Maze
A Biography of Prague
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Golden Maze
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Narrated by:
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Richard Fidler
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By:
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Richard Fidler
About this listen
Beloved ABC broadcaster and best-selling author of Ghost Empire and Saga Land, Richard Fidler is back with a personally curated history of the magical city that is Prague.
In 1989, Richard Fidler was living in London as part of the provocative Australian comedy trio The Doug Anthony All Stars when revolution broke out across Europe. Excited by this galvanising historic, human moment, he travelled to Prague, where a decrepit police state was being overthrown by crowds of ecstatic citizens. His experience of the Velvet Revolution never let go of him.
Thirty years later Fidler returns to Prague to uncover the glorious and grotesque history of Europe's most Instagrammed and uncanny city: a jumble of Gothic towers, baroque palaces and zigzag lanes that has survived plagues, pogroms, Nazi terror and Soviet tanks. Founded in the ninth century, Prague gave the world the golem, the robot and the world's biggest statue of Stalin, a behemoth that killed almost everyone who touched it.
Fidler tells the story of the reclusive emperor who brought the world's most brilliant minds to Prague Castle to uncover the occult secrets of the universe. He explores the Black Palace, the wartime headquarters of the Nazi SS, and he meets victims of the communist secret police. Reaching back into Prague's mythic past, he finds the city's founder, the pagan priestess Libussa who prophesised: I see a city whose glory will touch the stars.
Following the story of Prague from its origins in medieval darkness to its uncertain present, Fidler does what he does so well - curates an absolutely engaging and compelling history of a place. You will learn things you never knew, with a tour guide who is erudite, inquisitive and the best storyteller you could have as your companion.
©2020 Richard Fidler (P)2020 Bolinda PublishingCritic Reviews
"Fidler displays great charm in the telling of his tale, spicing it with delicious gossip." (New York Times Book Review)
"Fidler's story leaves its readers with a sense of faith in the renewing, illuminating, social powers of historical narrative." (Sydney Morning Herald)
What listeners say about Golden Maze
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rodney Wetherell
- 24-09-2020
Fine biography of a fascinating city
I thoroughly enjoyed this history of Prague, despite the many disasters and invasions that occurred there. I have been there and knew something about it, but had little idea of its history, going right back to the Germanic tribes which inhabited the region in the 'dark ages'. Richard Fidler has done an extraordinary amount of research, and weaves the long story into a coherent and entertaining whole. He reads the book very well too. He brings the city to life, physically and spiritually. I wondered why there were so many Baroque churches in Prague, and he tell us they were built as symbols of a cultural takeover by the Habsburgs of Vienna. Like him I sensed the mysteries and oddities of Prague, as well as the sense of a city of great suffering, notably for its Jewish residents, once in considerable numbers.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Penelope
- 29-04-2024
What a history!
A history of the world in one republic. This was a most thorough, insightful, hellish history of an area of the world that is so far from my own. It was presented beautifully, in a lovely conversational Australian accent, that made me feel I was totally along for the ride. Really enjoyed.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Glen
- 15-06-2021
The Golden Maze shines
This review comes after my second full listen. Richard Fidler provides a graceful, simple and elegant biography of the city of my grandfather who escapes the Stalinist regime in the early 1950s with my grandmother, mother and aunt. Prague is a complex and extraordinary city with an enthralling history. It was great to hear a fellow Australian provide a brilliant yarn, demonstrating that both our nations share a sense of humanity and humour. A cracking good read ready for my next flight to Czechia once the plague is gone.
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7 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Stephen Zimmerman
- 23-07-2021
5 stars all the way
Richard Fidler has once again done an outstanding job. thanks so much cannot wait for the next city/book
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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- Jacquelyn
- 25-07-2023
Fidler does it again
Another deeply researched and beautifully written piece of work by Fidler. I have enjoyed several of his books and this one was just as enjoyable. I particularly enjoyed listening to him read the audiobook with such and engaging and easy to listen to voice.
More than anything though, with every chapter my desire to go back to Prague to again and explore it fully deepened. I had the pleasure of spending just one day there many years ago & fell in love with the city - Fidler's attention to detail and the human story of the city just makes me want to spend more time there.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Glenn Dawes
- 07-12-2020
Great book
Another great listen from Richard Fidler. He does such a brilliant job of research. So much to learn.
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- kpiper
- 04-10-2021
A fantastic book
This book is not just a history of Prague. It is a history of Europe and a story of human beings, at their worst and their best. There are not many authors who can tell a story of such a wide span of history in such a succinct and compelling way. Richard Fidler distils the story of Europe and Prague through the human story and leaves us thinking as much about humanity, as about history. There is a real art in this writing. This book is informative, compelling and utterly enjoyable.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Philip Graus
- 23-11-2022
Excellent biography of a city
A very engaging read. There’s a depth to the narrative. I want to go back to Prague after listening to this. Fidler is an excellent narrator
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- madison
- 21-09-2020
Richard Fidler is amazing
I love his voice he’s a brilliant story teller 💜
Good company and it’s great to learn so much while on my walks
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Deirdre E Siegel
- 19-04-2023
Brilliant
An interesting history of a country that has Prague as it’s heart, and the true Artists that suffered for their homeland.
People make places in history, many found in this book are known for their actions of love, a respect for the greater good at any cost, many are notable for their neglect of the populace.
Terrific listen thank you Richard Fidler for your words and narration, much appreciated. :-)
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