Set against the backdrop of post-World War I Germany, the narrative explores the unlikely collaboration of three distinct individuals: a rebellious princess turned Nazi, a Jugendstil artist who became a Communist, and a businessman known for decaffeinated coffee. Their joint effort produced a poetry volume titled "Gott in mir," which reflects on the divine presence within humanity. The book delves into how the revolutionary atmosphere influenced their diverse ideologies and led to this unique artistic endeavor, highlighting the complexities of their motivations and beliefs.
Today, as the developments these men decried continue to gain momentum, their "unseasonable ideas" emerge as fresh, provocative, and troublingly ambiguous in their implications as they were 150 years ago."--BOOK JACKET.
Recognized by historians and politicians as a model for European unity, Switzerland is nonetheless a difficult country to understand as a whole. Whereas individual Swiss cities have strong identities in the international political, cultural, and economic arenas, the country itself seems to be less than the sum of its parts. To capture the elusive spirit of Switzerland, four eminent writers explore the roots of its political unity and cultural diversity in a series of urban portraits. Their observations make for both good storytelling and insightful social commentary
Gibbon's exploration of the Roman Empire's decline offers a profound analysis that rivals the depth found in classic fiction. The work invites readers to engage with its historical narrative, emphasizing the complexities of the Empire's fall and the intricate interplay of various factors. Gibbon’s eloquent prose and insightful commentary elevate this historical account, making it a significant literary achievement that merits careful study and appreciation.
Molière's comedies are re-evaluated through their historical context rather than merely as literary works. Lionel Gossman analyzes five key plays, revealing shared structural elements and illustrating Molière's engagement with the social issues of his time, paralleling concerns of contemporaries like Descartes and Racine. Gossman argues that Molière's comedic vision reflects the specific societal dynamics of the seventeenth century, contrasting with later interpretations that overlook this context, and notes a shift towards Romantic irony in some of Molière's later works.
The book explores the life and work of Thomas Annan, a pivotal figure in Victorian Scotland's photography scene, particularly known for his documentary work on Glasgow's slums before their demolition. It highlights Annan's diverse photography skills, including portraiture and landscapes, within the context of the burgeoning field in the 19th century. The text addresses the artistic versus mechanical debate surrounding photography and provides insights into the complexities of documentary photography. Extensive endnotes offer additional resources for deeper exploration of the themes presented.
Der Ideenhistoriker Lionel Gossman untersucht die Stadtgeschichte Basels im 19. Jahrhundert als intellectual history ihrer vier «unzeitgemässen» Meisterdenker: Bachofen, Burckhardt, Nietzsche und Overbeck. Im Mittelpunkt stehen die beiden Basler Johann Jakob Bachofen und Jacob Burckhardt. Basel, als traditionsreiche Humanistenstadt, erlebte die nachrevolutionären Krisen der Epoche besonders intensiv, bedingt durch ihre Lage an der Grenze zu Deutschland und Frankreich. Diese Position schuf fragile Zugehörigkeiten; politisch war man konservativ, während wirtschaftlich eine fortschrittlich-liberale Gesinnung vorherrschte, die die Modernisierung vorantrieb und das alte Stadtstaatssystem letztlich gefährdete. Der erste Teil der Studie beschreibt die Voraussetzungen und Folgen dieser städtischen Entwicklung. In biographisch-werkgeschichtlichen Kapiteln zeigt Gossman, wie die intellektuellen Haltungen der Protagonisten mit der historischen Situation vor Ort und im europäischen Kontext verknüpft sind. Trotz ihrer Unterschiede eint die vier Denker eine kritische Haltung gegenüber der Aufbruchsstimmung des Jahrhunderts, dem Fortschrittsoptimismus, der Industrialisierung und dem Nationalismus. Diese als «Antimoderne» bezeichnete Haltung ist eng mit dem städtischen Umfeld verbunden, in dem sie entstand. Gossmans Werk bietet neue Einsichten zur Entwicklung des kulturgeschichtlichen Denkens seit der Aufklärung und kann dank gut ausgewählter
