Now that we're in the midst of a resurgence of Darwin applied to humans, it's all the more important to have historical perspective on earlier assimilations of Darwinism. Kelly's study is essential reading for understanding the assimilation in Germany. He shows that Darwinism, in its initial phase, was a jolly good blunt instrument for anti-clericism and the promotion of humanist philosophy. Popularizers, who were often scientists, did not typically take sides in the then great agitated question of Capitalism vs. Socialism. The embattled religious establishment tended to interpret any secularist advocacy as a prelude to socialism, but this was merely a bias of perspective. Kelly shows that the big capitalist establishment did not rush to embrace popularized Darwinism. Many socialists were Darwinians, and viewed the 'struggle for existence' as a confirmation of their revolutionary creed, but they also found in Darwin a justification of progress toward a society that transcended the brutal world of animal nature. Kelly corrects previous interpretations (especially Daniel Gasman) of popular Darwinism as a prelude to Nazi Darwinism. The alleged proto-Nazis of the Monist League were in reality humanists of an emphatic anti-clerical stripe.

Kelly's study has not enjoyed the attention that it deserves.

Hiram Caton

Deutsche Sprache und Landeskunde is a well-developed text for a first-year German course. In the preface, the authors specifically state that the book was designed after extensive research to avoid the shortcomings of other texts; in particular, they highlight features such as simple grammar explanations, thematically-controlled vocabulary introduction, balanced skill development, cultural relevance in readings and dialogues, and ample activities and "engaging exercises." The book consistently lives up to those promises. Although the book was clearly written for the undergraduate level, it might also be appropriate for mature or advanced high-school level students.

One of the first features of the book that appears particularly attractive is its well-planned layout. Each chapter is organized around a theme, and the themes are ordered in a natural sequence, presenting the experiences of an American exchange student in Germany (Rick) and a German exchange student in America (Renate). For example, the first chapter, Gruß und Abschied, presents greetings and introductory phrases; following chapters include Ankunft in Europa, Erste Eindrücke von Deutschland, and Eine Reise durch Deutschland. These are followed by chapters about national customs, shopping, home life, free-time activities and sport, University studies, and so on. The themes seem quite natural, not artificial, and they would likely be appealing to many students, who would naturally consider learning a language as a means to using it in the land(s) where it is spoken.

Each chapter is divided into six units, each of which has a consistent style across the book: 1) Vorschau ("Preview") - a "cognitive overview" of the chapter's theme and core vocabulary. Most have drawings with vocabulary labeled, or occasionally photographs. These are followed by exercises to practice the vocabulary: fill-in-the-blank, word matching, sentence creation, free-style question answering.

2) Phonologie ("Phonology") - a short one or two page unit on a particular sound in German. (The book itself is prefaced by a two-page introduction to the letters and sounds of the language). While this section is an obvious attempt to make sure that phonological topics are spread throughout the text and not just lumped (and overlooked) at the start, the effect is that material that would be useful near the start of the course - the critical German ch sounds [ç] and [X], for example, - are found nearly at the end of the book. This is definitely material beginners would need early-on.

3) Sequenzen ("Sequences") - These form the heart of each chapter, presenting concise grammatical lessons in well-organized units. Each starts with a short dialog that demonstrates the structure or concept for that particular sequence. The dialogues are quite natural - they follow the 'theme' of the chapter, usually having to do with one of the two exchange students - and they employ short but meaningful sentences that students could quite easily learn and also put to use. They are followed by content-based questions in German, both objective and subjective, designed to check students' understanding of the passage and to provide practice in using its forms. An English translation of the dialog, using every-day colloquial forms, appears at the bottom of the page. Next come the grammatical units - first, a brief description, never more than a few paragraphs, followed by a series of examples, often in table format and almost always using real German sentences. Here, the book lives up to its promise of making grammatical explanations simple - even topics late in the text are never given the appearance of being ponderous. Exceptions or finer points are often noted at the bottom of the page. A generous number of exercises in German follow each grammatical topic, enough to provide even those students feeling challenged by the material with plenty of practice. The exercises usually start with pattern-practice drills, followed by simple substitution and transformation drills, then sentence completion drills and open-ended exercises for freer student expression.

Taken together, this combination of an inductive introduction to material, followed by a deductive explanation with examples in natural, useable German, capped with a variety of exercises, provides an excellent and highly useable coverage of the grammar of the language.

4) Sammeltext ("Collected Text") - Following the grammar units is a one- or two-page text in German designed to review and reinforce the grammar structures and the vocabulary encountered in the chapter. Designed as reading practice, they usually take the form of a letter, dialogue, or short monologue. Incidental vocabulary is glossed in the side margins of the page. No exercises follow.

5) Kulturecke ("Culture Corner") - Next in each chapter is a short cultural unit related to the current topic: forms for writing letters, the media, public transport, the Kaffee und Kuche tradition (German "tea time"), the school and university systems, etc. This cultural information is the gem of the book -- avoiding glib stereotypes, it introduces students to the commonalities and differences between American and German life. (Unfortunately, the inclusion of Switzerland and Austria as the final two chapters makes them seem almost like an afterthought).

6) Wortschatz ("Vocabulary") - At the end of each chapter, new vocabulary is summarized by part of speech, with lists in German and English side-by-side.

Every chapter also starts with a page describing the language and cultural objectives for the unit, along with a brief outline of material. The objectives are well written - not only describing what will be discussed, but also why a student might use such material in real-world situations.

Following each chapter is a mini-unit on blue pages called a Zwischenspiel ("in-between game") presenting excellent additional material for communication practice - oral situations and dialogues to be acted out, short readings, and writing exercises. An Endspiel unit at the end of the book presents a brief excerpt from the Dürrenmatt play, "Das Unternehmen der Wega." Unlike the exercises within the chapters, which stay quite close to the ongoing themes of the two exchange students, these exercises are based around situations in average German life, and provide excellent material to create opportunities for individual and group student practice in using all four language skills from the start.

The book includes an Appendix that summarizes the key information about German verbs - both regular and irregular ("weak" and "strong") verbs - in a tabular format in under eight pages. This can serve as a handy reference for students and as a learning aid for those whose learning style makes them inclined to prefer a more structured, rather than descriptive, approach. The addition of tables summarizing pronoun cases and adjective declensions would have been useful.

One criticism with the layout of the text is that, in trying to present such a wealth of material for a year's course in German language and culture in 600 pages, the text itself appears simply too dense. The book could benefit from more white space, and perhaps differing type styles to differentiate types of material - explanations, exercises, dialogues. It could be daunting for some students to approach, and certainly could not be covered in its entirety by any typical class.

This book covers significant events and peoples of German origin, relating to American history dating back to before the USA was formed. Excellent photos and illustrations to support story lines. Written in both English and German, it is a great learning tool. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and will keep as a reference for generations to come.

For anyone out there who also worships Kaethe Kollwitz and her extraordinary work, this book is a must-read. Edited by the son that lived--Hans--"The Diary and Letters of Kaethe Kollwitz" provides an intimate portrait of the woman who lived behind the drawings in her own words. This book breathed life and personality into somebody who has been one of my greatest artistic influences. I found it exceptionally moving to be able to share her emotions, thoughts and tragedies in this way.

93 outstanding pages of plates, many in color. The book is superb only for those. I am looking for an english version because if the prose is as good as the art i want one!

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's life is represented by a number of quotations, some great photos and a thoughtful narrative that wraps it all into a compelling story. In particular the final section on the days leading up to the theologian's execution is deeply moving. It is a crime this book is out of print.

A distinguished, prolific historian and accomplished jazz musician, Michael H. Kater teaches history at York University in Toronto. He has written several well-received books; prior to Different Drummers, I knew him primarily from his excellent, 1975 study of the role of right-wing student fraternities at German universities during the rise of Nazism, Studentschaft und Rechtsradikalismus in Deutschland 1918-1933 (Hamburg: Hoffmann und Campe).

Different Drummers chronicles the futile but vicious attempts of the Nazis to stamp out an art form identified with Negroes and Jews, the exquisite form of political resistance jazz represented, and its vague anticipation of the oppositional youth and student culture of 1960s West Germany.

This is one of the finest books to appear on the subject matter in some time. I am a graduate student in Jewish studies and this book has become invaluable to me in constructing a dissertation topic. I've even entertained transferring to the University of Virginia so that I could work with Mr. Grossman!

The movie comes alive in these colorful pages. Read Sleeping Beauty, it'll be one of your favorites too.

Mr. Frey's book is both insightful and prescient. He tackles one of the most vexing topics of the post WW II era and arrives at a convicing conclusion. An impressive debut work by a graduate student. This will undoubtedly not be his last book.