The Danube: A Journey Upriver from the Black Sea to the Black Forest

Nick Thorpe's journey up the Danube gives one an interesting picture of the history, people and places along the way. We have cycled in these countries and enjoyed his description of the places we visited as well as many of the areas that we have yet to tour. Towards the end of his journey, he ponders a bit too much on the ecological consequences of the changing economic needs of the countries along the way.

Great read in preparation for a cruise up the Danube. Author's perspective on current and past history of the river was very informative. Insights into how various hydro projects have effected the river. Especially useful to me were his understading of what life was like before and after the Berlin Wall came down.

Danube historically prepared me for a Danube River cruise. Locations were described with both archeological finds and 20th century remnants. A sense of the power and means to produce civilizations were highlighted as the Danube flowed through eastern Europe. Thorpe made reading of difficult names easier to understand. He gave glimpses of people in authority and common people fighting poverty.

BBC-journalist Nick Thorpe has been living in and reporting from Central-Europe for almost 30 years, so he really knows the region and he has amazing stories to tell. This book ranges from the life of sturgeon fishers to the hell of Ceausescu's prisoner camps, Roman conquerors and the ecosystem of a river that touches nine European on its way from the Black Forest to the Black See. Thorpe tells his stories well, but sometimes looses himself in an abundance of descriptions that at times become a bit too much. "Willows line the riverbanks, the old men of the river, their gnarled and twisted roots reaching down to the water for one last drink. Fast-growing Canadian poplars crowd behind them, like teenagers trying to get into a party." If this is too much for you, don't start reading the book. Otherwise, you will enjoy the stories and the knowledge Thorpe has of the region.

Slogging through a very detailed, not easy to read book with lots of stories about locals

A excellent primer if you plan to make the trip.

I recommend this to anyone who is planning to travel along the Danube. Especially if you are going to spend time in Romania.

Gift--liked

An excellent read especially having just retuned from a Danube river cruise.The author has a wealth of experience at the Delta end

Great book - a must read if you want to understand this region

Die Reise vom Donaudelta aufwärts gefällt mir sehr gut- detailierte Beschreibungen von Landschaft und Kultur schaffen ein wunderschönes ruhiges Bild, dem man nachhängen kann, für mich interessant und meditativ.

Humane, all-embracing, with a deep understanding of historical, geographical and even ecological themes. Beautifully written. Proportionately there is more on eastern Europe, which is understandable as to many of us it is a blank on the map, or inhabited by unscrupulous bandits who want to come here and live on welfare. Nick Thorpe sees the humanity in people and the often sad beauty of the river.

Cool overall concept of this book but some historic "facts" seem not fully right (?) and for my taste the focus is too much on historical details (which are not always correct) blended with lots of mythology rather than the Danube, its nature and its people.