Goethe: Life as a Work of Art

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) was not only Germany's most celebrated poet, dramatist, critic, novelist, and playwright but also a statesman, scholar, and naturalist. His rich career and life spanned a period of drastic changes in German and European history. In this monumental book, German philosopher and biographer Safranski (Martin Heidegger) sets Goethe's wide-ranging work in the context of the historical, literary, and political movements of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, giving accounts of his relationships with the leading figures of the day, his influence on contemporary culture, and his personal reflections on historical events across Europe. Each chapter reflects a major station in Goethe's intellectual achievements. In a highly readable translation, which incorporates original translations from Goethe's work rather than relying on previous interpretations, Dollenmayer succeeds in giving these writings a unified, flowing voice. One of the greatest obstacles between Goethe and his American readership has quite often been his style. This biography affords readers easier access to a broad spectrum of his work and is a welcome contribution to Goethe scholarship.