A history of German literature: from the beginnings to the present day

Since the appearance of the first edition in 1979, A History of German Literature has established itself as a classic work and basic reference source for those interested or in contact with German literature.In this book, the subject of German literature is treated as a phenomenon firmly rooted in the social and political world from which it has risen. Literary works are assessed according to their relation to the human condition. Social forces and their interrelation with the artistic avant-garde are an organizing theme of this history, which traces German literature from its first beginnings in the Middle Ages to the present day. This latest edition has been updated to cover the reunification of Germany, and its consequent events.Readable and stimulating, A History of German Literature makes the literature of the past as vital and engaging as the works of the present, and will prove a valuable tool.