The Rhine

Following Europe's Greatest River from Amsterdam to the Alps

By: Ben Coates

Narrated by: Ciaran Saward

From rowing the canals of Amsterdam to riding a cow through the Alps, via Cold War nuclear bunkers, raucous Gay Pride parades, tranquil Lake Constance, and snowy mountain climbs, The Rhine blends travelogue and offbeat history to tell the fascinating story of how a great river helped shape a continent.

Shortlisted for the Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the Year Award

The Rhine is one of the world's greatest rivers. Once forming the outer frontier of the Roman Empire, it flows 800 miles from the social democratic playground of the Netherlands, through the industrial and political powerhouses of Germany and France, to the wealthy mountain fortresses of Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

For five years, Ben Coates lived alongside a major channel of the river in Rotterdam, crossing it daily, swimming and sailing in its tributaries. In The Rhine, he sets out by bicycle from the Netherlands where it enters the North Sea, following it through Germany, France, and Liechtenstein, to its source in the icy Alps. He explores the impact that the Rhine has had on European culture and history and finds out how influences have flowed along and across the river, shaping the people who live alongside it.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2018 Ben Coates (P)2021 Tantor

Abundant History and Insights; Abundant Snark, Too

I purchased this title because I recently experienced a 10-day Rhine River Cruise, which I enjoyed immensely. I was also familiar with other work by author Ben Coates. I was therefore disappointed to discover that Coates was not the narrator. I quickly became further disenchanted as I listened to the actual reader—a gentleman who enthusiastically emphasized any sarcastic quips, arch comments or gratuitous criticisms about much that the author had encountered—especially other tourists. By the end of the book I envied the author’s Malawi dog, who only accompanied the writer for limited fractions of Coates’ Rhine sojourn.

Aside from the narration, I do not recommend this book for anyone who has not yet traveled the Rhine regions: a lot of the descriptions and the sites visited wouldn’t fully resonate for those who don’t have that pre-existing context. (However, it might be an interesting experience for someone to read/listen to the book as they traveled up the great river, from Hoek van Holland

Perfect read for a Rhine trip

I thoroughly enjoyed the presentation of geography, culture and history of this area just before a boat cruise of the Rhine. Ben Coates’ British humor and description was great!

Loved The Rhine

My husband and I just returned from a river cruise down the Rhine and someone on the boat suggested this book. Even though it was after the fact, I’m so glad I read it. It filled in so much history that I hadn’t gathered on various tours and the author has a terrific sense of humor, which made listening fun. I will read his other book also. Recommend this book highly!

Recommended, despite slow start

Not quite five stars, but a solid job of travel narrative. Strongest part differentiated what The Rhine meant to each country's culture. Below Basel, however, the international aspect was lost on me. Audio narrator insisted on saying Bahl, which I'd never heard before finding it very grating, instead of expected BAH-zul. Otherwise, he did a great job.

Picky listener loved this book.

Delightful listen - light adventure story , history , cheeky, and provides all the imagery of the Rhine you were looking for.

Not a history or travel book

Although the author does provide some interesting historical information, it is completely diluted by his liberal commentary. The book is more of a political opinion piece. He loves to stereotype conservatives every chance he gets.