{"product_id":"the-rhine-following-europes-greatest-river-from-amsterdam-to-the-alps","title":"The Rhine: Following Europe's Greatest River from Amsterdam to the Alps","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrom 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 worlds 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 where 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44987924512821,"sku":"ByrdShop_1473662176","price":48.64,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9781473662179.jpg?v=1770977263","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-rhine-following-europes-greatest-river-from-amsterdam-to-the-alps","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}