From Weimar to the Wall, written in an engaging, candid tone, is Richard von Weizsacker's account of nearly a century lived in one of Europe's foremost political families. It brims with fascinating portraits of such leaders as George Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev, Willy Brandt and Helmut Kohl, Margaret Thatcher and Francois Mitterrand and vividly captures the spirit of one of Germany's best-known and admired figures.

But above all, From Weimar to the Wall is a compelling lesson for anyone seeking to understand the state of Europe today.