Central European University Press
Castle and Cathedral
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Edited by:
About this book
This book takes a new approach to interwar Prague by addressing religion as an integral part of the city's cultural history. Berglund views Prague's cultural history in the broader context of religious change and secularization in 20th-century Europe. Based on detailed knowledge of sources; the monograph explores the interdisciplinary linkages between politics; architecture and theology in the building of symbolism and a "new mythology" of the first Czechoslovak republic (1918-1938). Berglunds text provides an important service for understanding both Czech history as well as current Czech political debate. The author's method can be characterized as culture history; able to connect several disciplines; emphasizing common topic (religion; politics; symbolics). Modern Czech elites; superficially characterized as "ateistic"; appears in a new light to be deeply religious; a transition from more traditional; (mostly) Catholic religiosity; to a concept of a new; modern; ethical religion. The study incorporates biographical research; focusing on three principal characters: Tomás Garrigue Masaryk; Czechoslovakia's first president; his daughter Alice Garrigue Masaryková; founding director of the Czechoslovak Red Cross; and Joze Plecnik; the Slovenian architect who directed the renovations of Prague Castle.
Author / Editor information
Bruce Berglund is Professor of History and Director of the Honors Program at Calvin College.
Topics
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Frontmatter
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Table of Contents
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Illustrations
vii -
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Acknowledgements
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Introduction
1 - Part One. Three Portraits of the Modern Believer
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Chapter One. The Philosopher in Search of Truth
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Chapter Two. The Architect Creating for the Ages
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Chapter Three. The Social Worker Longing to Serve
109 - Part Two Czechoslovakia under the Perspective of Eternity
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Chapter Four. The House of Masaryk and the Moral Republic
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Chapter Five. The Moral Republic and Its Discontents
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Chapter Six. Building Cathedrals in Modern Prague
231 -
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Chapter Seven. The War of the Absolute
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Conclusion
325 -
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Bibliography
343 -
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Subject Index
361
