The Federal Republic of Germany is chopped up into sixteen states. One of those states, known as the 'Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg' is likewise carved into a further seven large 'districts', which in turn are further sliced into more than one hundred 'quarters'. No visit to Europe's most populous non-capital, however, is complete without visiting the quarter known as St. Pauli, with its world-famous Reeperbahn.
But what is a Reeperbahn and what does it mean? Why is part of Hamburg's most famous street called the Spielbudenplatz? How did the area become a red-light and entertainment district? What was life like on Hamburg's most sinful mile during the Third Reich? What happened to the area during the Second World War? Who was Hans-Albers after the square of the same name? Where did an unknown band known as the Beatles play?
These are just a few of the questions which, after five years of research, are answered in the only English-language book about the history of Hamburg's most famous street: navigate the area like a local by learning the origins of a dozen major street names, discover an alternative Reeperbahn already in full-swing by half-past midnight, behold the emergence of a 19th century entertainment scene to rival Berlin and Vienna, witness the cruelty of the Third Reich and retrace the beginnings of an emerging film and music scene, including every location the Beatles ever played.
With over 150 high-quality photographs this book will also act as the perfect memento once your visit is over!