Vienna - How the City of Ideas Created the Modern World

It’s a dense read— packed with details, a roll call of many names and achievements— but one that makes you pause and reflect. It was fascinating to read about what went on between WWI and WWII, and how the immigrants of Vienna assimilated into their new homes and worked so hard to bring about change and betterment for society as a whole. Be it in education, architecture, medicine, psychology, women’s rights, politics, and more—there was room to experiment with political and social reforms. There was progress, but all of it was sacked and wiped out due to nationalism and fascism.

The brain-drain from Vienna was Britain and the United States’ gain. The way the Viennese used their methodical studies, scientific discipline, and interdisciplinary pursuits was instrumental in shaping the economy and modern democracy. The idea of using psychoanalysis in fields such as architecture, or in designing shopping malls that helped close the social gap, was especially interesting to read about.

One would think we would learn from history and avoid similar mistakes, yet as of 2025, we live in a world still obsessed with nationalism and short-term gains. The malicious actions of a few often overshadow the contributions and efforts of the many who have worked to make the country they adopted a better place to live in. Turning a blind eye to what’s happening around us and hoping it will pass has never helped. But do we have it in us to stand up for society as a whole? It’s a very personal and difficult decision—but one that should be made considering long-term effects, not short-term profits.

All in all, Vienna is a great book. It’s heavy in detail but rich in perspective. I visited Vienna recently, and reading this changed how I saw the city entirely.

If you’re interested, here’s a link to a relevant episode from Freakonomics Radio, where Stephen Dubner speaks with Richard Cockett about the book and its themes. https://freakonomics.com/podcast/how-does-the-lost-world-of-vienna-still-shape-our-lives/

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