The World of Yesterday

I would say this book is fundamental reading for anyone who wants to appreciate the world more but the long discussions of the artists that he knew and their works is probably prohibitive unless it gets you a little inspired like it did me (a nerd).

A fascinating first hand account of the days leading up to both World Wars. The shift of the world from old to new is beautifully rendered in Zweig's clean prose. I highlighted some very lengthy sections thanks to them perfectly capturing a moment I knew I'd want to go back to.

He didn't know it was coming but this is the best defence of a European Union I've ever read.