In the wake of German unification in 1871, Berlin became a place of increased interest to the other nations of Europe. The journalist Henry Vizetelly (1820–94) made his first journey to the capital of the new empire in 1872. Based on observations from a series of visits, this two-volume work presents a witty and detailed portrait of the city and its inhabitants. In Volume 1, Vizetelly sketches a brief history of the city and its development from the thirteenth century. Chapters explore aspects of Berlin culture and society as well as political and military personalities. Topics covered in Volume 2 include the Prussian Landtag, the Reichstag, places of education, palaces, churches and museums, and restaurants, cafés and beer gardens. Illustrated with hundreds of engravings from designs by German artists, the work first appeared in 1879. Vizetelly's Paris in Peril (1882) and Glances Back through Seventy Years (1893) are also reissued in this series.