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If you are heading to Switzerland – for a holiday or perhaps for longer – or just have an interest in learning more about the country you will find a list of the best books about Switzerland in this article.
This post includes both fiction and non-fiction titles. As long as the book is about Switzerland or the Swiss people it counts!
When I was researching for this post I was rather amused by the number of non-fiction titles available. There are a lot of books written about the Swiss and their way of life. Switzerland has a somewhat mythical status for some people as the land of milk and honey (or money as one author titles his book!)
Switzerland is an interesting country and one I know well. I lived and worked in Basel and also lived on the French side of Lake Geneva for a number of years. My mother also lived outside Zurich so I have visited the country on numerous occasions and have been fortunate to travel extensively throughout Switzerland including taking a number of scenic Swiss train journeys.
If you are planning to travel to Switzerland some of these books will give you a flavour for the country that isn’t necessarily what you may imagine – it’s not all cuckoo clocks and chocolate!
Best books about Switzerland
Another classic! A Swiss family are stranded at sea and marooned on a tropical island filled with adventures! The story of orphaned Heidi who is sent to live with her Grandfather in the Swiss Alps is a classic every child should read! Set on the shores of Lake Geneva this booker price winner tells the story of Edith Hope a romance writer who escapes to Switzerland for break but finds herself embroiled in the lives of those at the Hotel Du Lac. Oh how I wish I had written this book! Following in the footsteps of an English lady who, in 1863, took Thomas Cook’s first Conducted Tour of Switzerland the author retraces her route to see how much has changed (or not) in Switzerland in the last 150 years. A fascinating insight into everything Swiss! How much do you know about Switzerland? A must-read for anyone planning to visit or move to this landlocked European country! Exploring the truth behind 10 modern cliches about Switzerland! Read the book and make up your own mind! – The Swiss Are Neutral As an ex-history teacher I always want to learn a little more about the history of places I visit (more than the page of dates that you tend to find in a guidebook). This great book gives you all the important information about the history of Switzerland. Its actually incredible how much we don’t necessarily know about the history of other countries. The Story of the First-Ever Round-the-World Balloon Flight As Told by the Pilots A collection of great articles by the author about her experiences as an American expat in Switzerland. Bizarrely not far from where my mother lived! Seriously if you are planning to live in Switzerland read this! I wish I had seen this book when my mother was still living in the German speaking part of Switzerland. How to survive when surrounded by 65% of the Swiss population who speak German! Cross the Alps in a cable car, cruise Lake Geneva, and visit a medieval château: with Rick Steves on your side, Switzerland can be yours! Lonely Planet’s Switzerland is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await youBest books about Switzerland
BEST BOOKS ABOUT SWITZERLAND -FICTION
The Swiss Family Robinson (An Illustrated Classic)
Heidi (Puffin in Bloom)
Hotel Du Lac
BEST BOOKS ABOUT SWITZERLAND - NON FICTION
Slow Train to Switzerland: One Tour, Two Trips, 150 Years and a World of Change Apart
Swiss Watching, 3rd Edition: Inside the Land of Milk and Honey
The Naked Swiss: A Nation Behind 10 Myths
– The Swiss Are Xenophobic
– The Swiss Are Rich
– The Swiss Are Swiss
– The Swiss Are Crooked Bankers
– The Swiss Are Boring
– The Swiss Are Sexist
– The Swiss Helped the Nazis
– The Swiss Have the Perfect Democracy
– The Swiss Are Brilliant
Swiss History in a Nutshell
BEST BOOKS ABOUT SWITZERLAND -ADVENTURE
Around the World in 20 Days : The Story of Our History-Making Balloon Flight
BEST BOOKS ABOUT SWITZERLAND -ESSENTIAL READING FOR ANYONE MOVING TO SWITZERLAND
Swiss Life: 30 Things I Wish I'd Known
Hoi - Your new Swiss German Survival Guide
BEST BOOKS ABOUT SWITZERLAND - GUIDEBOOKS
Rick Steves Switzerland
Lonely Planet Switzerland
Plan your visit to Switzerland
If you are planning a holiday to Switzerland my complete Swiss travel guide includes all the information you need to help you make the most of your visit.
Don’t miss some of the best train journeys you can experience in Switzerland from your itinerary. Iconic trips include the Bernina Express and the cog railway up Mt Pilatus near Lucerne.
Interested in reading more books about countries in Europe? Check out my complete guide to the best travel books from around the world.
