First published in 1968, Weimar Culture is one of the masterworks of Peter Gay's distinguished career. A study of German culture between the two wa...
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reviews
Dec 23, 2011
Michael
rated it: 
While this book is little more than a reflective essay on certain key points its author is interested in, it remains a profoundly interesting and influential text. It also has the advantage of being very accessible and well-written, so can be readily used by non-specialists. It is rather old now, so it certainly doesn't represent the most current
research on its subject, but it remains a point of departure for much recent work as well.
Writing in 1968, Gay was concerned to make h More...
research on its subject, but it remains a point of departure for much recent work as well.
Writing in 1968, Gay was concerned to make h More...
Jul 30, 2011
Claudia
rated it: 
Weimar fu una stagione di grande vitalismo politico e culturale ma anche di tensioni e difficoltà di ordine sociale ed economico che finirono per produrre molte delle fratture esiziali alla sua sopravvivenza.
Questa coraggiosa fabbrica dell’alternativa sociale, nata dal dramma della guerra, ebbe un cammino affatto agevole e fece non poca fatica a sfuggire ai bassi tiri del conservatorismo e ai maneggi di certi professionisti della politica e delle arti, il cui unico obiettivo era servire il More...
Questa coraggiosa fabbrica dell’alternativa sociale, nata dal dramma della guerra, ebbe un cammino affatto agevole e fece non poca fatica a sfuggire ai bassi tiri del conservatorismo e ai maneggi di certi professionisti della politica e delle arti, il cui unico obiettivo era servire il More...
Jul 27, 2009
IWB
rated it: 
Gay’s book, "Weimar Culture: The Outsider as Insider", is a chronological study of the artistic and intellectual life of the Weimar Republic that emphasizes the contributions of Wilhelmian era “outsiders” and their rise to influence as Republican era “insiders.” Drawing his sources from various autobiographies, memoirs, and diaries; numerous written records, letters, and correspondence; and personal interviews and recollections, Gay documents the creative culture that flourished in the
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Jun 17, 2009
Mardel
rated it:
My copy of Peter Gay's Weimar Culture was given to me by my father when I was in high school. I read it at the time, but it was perhaps a little more scholarly and dense than what I was looking for at that time. I read it again in college and then I appreciated the fact that it although it is quite scholarly there are times in the book when it is quite imaginative and gripping, unlike many historical tracts I had to read for coursework. I read it again this time after encountering a quote fro
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Jul 23, 2011
Geoffrey
rated it: 
Peter Gay's classic - if brief - account of Weimar culture is fun and relevant if devoid of much seriousness in terms of politics, society, and economy. That said, it's still a good place to start for anyone interested in Germany in the Weimar years. Recommended with the above caveats.
Apr 05, 2009
Dfordoom
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Disappointing compared to other books of his that I've read. Hsi psycho-analytical approach to history is interesting, but he's much too obsessed with the Nazis. I wanted to read about Weimar Germany, not the Nazis.
Nov 21, 2010
M.G.
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Well-written, if slightly depressing piece of polemic (in the sense that Gay makes out that the Weimar republic was doomed from the start). The author also seems to have it in for poor old Fritz Lang!
May 20, 2008
Kenneth
rated it:
Peter Gay's invaluable overview of the brief life of the Weimar Republic reads at times like a wild annotated bibliography: Gay's scholarship is impressive and inspiring. There are a few instances where his objectivity takes flight (for example, his sudden vitriolic dismissal of Fritz Lang), but on the whole his critical treatments remain tempered and insightful. Also includes a political history and timeline of Weimar and a wonderfully exhausting bibliography.
Aug 22, 2008
Wendy
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A great book on Weimar culture. Most books I've read on this tumultuous time period have been dry as dust. Gay's writing gives the period the color that you need to get a feel for Weimar culture.
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Mar 26, 2007
Jeffrey
rated it:
Excellent "essay" that shows how political trends in interwar Germany led to the ascension of Nazism, while, intellectually, the era was almost Periclean.
May 09, 2009
Levi
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Perfect little book covering the most important aspects of this period with insight and stylish brevity.
Oct 23, 2008
Progressive thought eclipsed by the Extreme Right. Will update when I finish.
Not for fiction lovers.
Not for fiction lovers.
Jan 15, 2012
Annamarie
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Would never recommend this book to anyone. I love German history but this was not great.
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