Analyzing the content of five periodicals representing a spectrum of opinion, Flanagan (German, U. of Bristol) contributes to the continuing reconsideration of the German past by looking at the first shapers of public sentiment after the defeat in World War II. She finds that the sudden rush of new titles represents a watershed in periodical production, conveys an immediacy absent in subsequent historiography, and reflects a break with the traditional division between literature and politics in Germany. The journals, she argues, acquainted the German public with new and previously banned German and foreign literature, and drew their readers into political discussion. Her account is based on her doctoral thesis for Cambridge University. The text is double spaced. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
