The Rhine

What do Düsseldorf, Strasbourg, Konstanz, and Rotterdam have in common? The romantic Rhine River! Following the Rhine from the North Sea all the way to its source high in the Swiss Alps is exactly the kind of quest that journalist and travel author Coates (Why the Dutch are Different) excels at in this book that takes readers on a journey through Germany, France, Austria, and ultimately Switzerland. The author's engaging writing is laced with a healthy dose of humor and delightful wit. Weaving history, politics, and culture, both past and present, Coates takes a close look at the cities and towns shaped by the river, traveling by foot, bicycle, boat, train, and even cow to glimpse the daily lives of locals he encounters along the way. VERDICT This travelog is a great companion volume to traditional guide books and might direct readers to areas they wouldn't normally visit. Anyone interested in European travel, history, and rivers will enjoy.--Holly Hebert, Middle Tennessee State Univ., Murfreesboro