Goethe

"The study of Goethe's life is a task that each generation must undertake anew." Thus writes Richard Friedenthal, author of this rich biography. Spanning eight momentous decades of war, revolution, and social upheaval, Goethe's life reveals itself as one of conflict and dynamic development, of inner contradiction and unceasing creativity.
As novelist, dramatist, and poet, Goethe produced epochal works of fiery romanticism, only later to dedicate himself to a classical ideal of purity and measure. His superb love lyrics immortalize a succession of ardent relationships; yet, in him too, was a strain of frigid egotism mingled with an Olympian detachment. The new introduction serves to place in perspective this outstanding work on the German master.
He was capable of tirelessly exploring the external world as physiologist, geologist, and botanist. He was equally capable of plunging to the depths of profound subjective analysis. A minister of state, a model of distinguished probity, Goethe nonetheless lived a life of passionate seeking, eternally questioning official values. Nothing perhaps better sums up this vast complexity than his lifelong work, Faust, the supreme dramatization of man's quest on earth.

Introduction to the Transaction Edition 1. In Praise of Ancestry 2. Childhood 3.Gradus ad Parnassum 4. Leipzig Student 5. The Warward Shepherd 6. Twilight 7. New Dawn 8. Strasbourg Wanderings 9. Friederike in Sesenheim 10. Doctor Goethe 11. Lotte in Wetzlar 12. Genius in Exuberance 13. The Sufferings of the Youth Werther 14. Sturm und Drang 15. Physiognomics 16. Lili 17. Weimar 18. Sleigh-ride 19. Government 20. Minister of State 21. The School of Frau von Stein 22. Courtier and Poet 23. Flight 24. Italy 25. Erotikon 26. Collected Works 27. Interpretation of Nature 28. Revolutionary Days 29. Goethe at War 30. The First German Republic 31. Two Masters 32. A German Idyll 33. Goethe's Theatrical Mission 34. The Days of Napoleon 35. A Galaxy of Kings 36. Exploits and Sufferings of Light 37. The Patriarch 38. Awakening of the Sleeper 39. The Oriental Divan 40. The Wanderer in Weimar 41. Trilogy of Passion 42. Conversations with Goethe 43. Faust 44. World Literature Postscript Chronological Table Bibliographical Survey Index