Subject
Germany -- Biography Books
Best books
Heinrich von Treitschke
Deutsche Lebensbilder
"Deutsche Lebensbilder" by Heinrich von Treitschke is a historical account written in the late 19th century. This work presents biographical sketches of significant German figures, focusing on their contributions to the nation and culture. The opening chapter specifically examines the impact of Martin Luther on the German nation, which suggests the book's overarching theme of national identity and historical reflection. The beginning of "Deutsche Lebensbilder" introduces a lecture delivered in 1883 celebrating Martin Luther's 400th birthday. Treitschke reflects on Luther's pivotal role in establishing a sense of national unity among Germans, emphasizing how his reformation efforts transformed not only the church but also the very essence of German identity. The text navigates through Luther's struggles, successes, and the varied perceptions of his legacy, illustrating a complex historical narrative intertwined with cultural and political implications in shaping modern Germany.
Jakob Wassermann
Deutsche Charaktere und Begebenheiten
"Deutsche Charaktere und Begebenheiten" by Jakob Wassermann is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The work comprises a collection of notable German personalities and significant events, particularly focused on their exemplary characteristics and the context of the times they lived in. Intended to resonate with the national sentiment during a period marked by the First World War, it seeks to evoke memories of Germany's historical figures and their impact on the national character. The opening of the book introduces its purpose and structure, suggesting a deep exploration of what defines a "German character" through the lens of history. Wassermann reflects on the essence of these figures and events, emphasizing the importance of their roles in shaping the nation's identity amidst the backdrop of war. The initial chapters provide glimpses into various historical persons, such as Frederick the Great and Moritz von Sachsen, outlining their lives, contexts, and the larger implications of their deeds in defining German history and character.
Anselm Feuerbach
Kaspar Hauser : $b Beispiel eines Verbrechens am Seelenleben des Menschen
"Kaspar Hauser : Beispiel eines Verbrechens am Seelenleben des Menschen" by Anselm Ritter von Feuerbach is a legal-psychological case study written in the early 19th century. It investigates the sensational appearance of the foundling Kaspar Hauser in Nuremberg, recording his condition, behaviors, and the documents and objects found with him. Through careful observation and legal reasoning, it contends that beyond unlawful imprisonment and exposure, a profound offense was committed against a human mind. The opening of the work recounts Hauser’s sudden arrival in Nuremberg: a staggering youth in peasant dress who could barely walk, repeated set phrases, refused meat and beer, ate only bread and water, and yet wrote his name clearly. Taken to the police tower, he is inventoried (ill-fitting clothes, devotional tracts, a rosary) and found with letters addressed to a cavalry officer and notes hinting at his supposed birth and soldier father; medical observations describe soft, blistered feet, unusual knees, and extreme sensitivity. His behavior is strikingly childlike—few words (calling people “boys” and all animals “horses”), terror of black animals, fascination with toy horses, astonishment at mirrors and music, and no grasp of religion—while the jailer Hiltel and visitors attest to his innocence and rapid, effortful learning. As crowds gather, Professor Daumer begins to teach him and the mayor Binder pieces together an initial narrative: lifelong confinement in a small dark room, fed bread and water (sometimes drugged), nails trimmed in sleep, a hidden keeper who guided his hand to write and later forced him to stand and walk, then carried him out and abandoned him in the city. Feuerbach frames this as aggravated unlawful imprisonment and life-endangering exposure, proposing a broader “crime against the soul.” The author’s first visit adds vivid details: hypersensitive eyes, facial tics under mental strain, third‑person self-reference, a strong preference for red, and a fierce, touching eagerness to learn and draw.
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