Publisher Description

Postwar German culture -- East and West -- and the political implications of various cultural developments are the focus of this provocative study by some of Germany's leading cultural and intellectual historians. Many of the contributors -- Herman Glaser and Kurt Sontheimer, in particular -- have played important roles in the development of cultural activities in the Federal Republic and offer an insider's perspective on the literature, architecture, performing arts, theatre and cinema of this tumultuous period.Another insider, distinguished biomathematical scholar Jens Reich, renowned for his personal struggle for civil rights in the former German Democratic Republic and for his presidential candidacy in the last German elections, analyses the political culture of the former GDR and the relationship between East and West Germans. This book offers students and scholars a vivid picture of politics and culture during a unique period in German history.

Notes

Also available in hardback, 9781859731000 GBP50.00 (May, 1996)

Author Biography

Dr. Reiner Pommerin Professor and Chair of Modern and Contemporary History,University of Dresden

Table of Contents

Contents:R. Pommerin, Some Remarks on the Cultural History of the Federal Republic of Germany-- H. Glaser, 1945 -- Cultural Beginnings: Continuity and Discontinuity -- E. Vollrath, Perspectives of Political Thought in Germany after 1945 -- H. A. Glaser, From the tabula rasa to the Rediscovery of the Nation: Tendencies in Post-war German Literature -- K. Sontheimer, The Intellectuals in the Political Life of the Federal Republic of Germany -- T. Sieverts, The Cultures of Civic Design in Germany -- W. Welsch, Modernity and Postmodernity in Post-war Germany (1945-1995) -- J. G. Reich, East Germans: Mentality Five Years after Unification

Review

'...there has so far been only one convincing attempt at a systematic overview of developments since 1945 [...] This stimulating collection of essays edited by Reiner Pommerin, a further volume in the excellent German Historical Perspectives Series based on the St. Anthony's College, Oxford symposiums, seeks out to redress the balance.[...]This volume will be extremely useful to all students of contemporary Germany.'Journal of European Studies'The appearance of this collection of essays is...both timely and valuable...Anyone needing a concise and clear explanation of modernity and postmodernity and their application in, and applicability to, both German states should seek out...this collection without delay.'Journal of Area Studies

Promotional

Also available in hardback, 9781859731000 GBP50.00 (May, 1996)

Review Quote

"...there has so far been only one convincing attempt at a systematic overview of developments since 1945 [...] This stimulating collection of essays edited by Reiner Pommerin, a further volume in the excellent German Historical Perspectives Series based on the St. Anthony's College, Oxford symposiums, seeks out to redress the balance.[...] This volume will be extremely useful to all students of contemporary Germany." --Journal of European Studies "The appearance of this collection of essays is...both timely and valuable...Anyone needing a concise and clear explanation of modernity and postmodernity and their application in, and applicability to, both German states should seek out...this collection without delay." --Journal of Area Studies

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