Literature written in German is substantial and impressive in not only the Western world but globally. It is also one of the most complex partly because it is not strictly a “national” strain since it includes works from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and even some places where German is no longer spoken. Moreover, writing began early enough—the ninth century—to include the dialects of tribes eventually forming modern German. This long period, to the end of World War II, is covered in the Historical Dictionary of German Literature to 1945. With a clearly extensive chronologically, it is equally so geographically and in the great variety of genres it addresses. The era is no less striking for the exceptional writers who emerged and shaped it, including Walther von der Vogelweide, Johann Wolfgang Goethe, Friedrich Schiller, Heinrich Heine, and Thomas Mann.
This volume fills a major gap in our coverage thus far and should be read in conjunction with the existing Historical Dictionary of Postwar German Literature and Historical Dictionary of German Theater. Like them, it is arranged in the same basic format. The first major section is a chronology, highlighting the most important dates in the evolution of this literature over more than a millennium. The introduction covers the same period but examines major literary trends and styles, illustrating what makes them significant, and presents major writers and works. But the core of the book is the dictionary, with hundreds of concise entries on major writers, crucial periods, memorable works, various literary societies, and technical terms. No matter how extensive, this should serve as a starting point for further reading by those who want to know more. The comprehensive bibliography is therefore vital for students and researchers.
William Grange is a cultural historian and Hixson-Lied Professor at the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film of the University of Nebraska. He has taught in higher education for more than three decades, with a specialization in theater history and performance. He has also been an actor, appearing in many productions and directing several others, and has developed a considerable knowledge of German theater, enhanced by periodic stays in Germany including teaching posts in Cologne, Berlin, Vienna, and Heidelberg.
Jon Woronoff
Series Editor