Trails in no-man's-land

The Essays on German and European literature assembled in this volume, erudite and yet written with the ease of the professional lecturer, view literary works in their broader cultural contexts - as, for example, from the vantage point of the history of science, of political life, of patterns of taste in the arts, or as viewed in the framework of broad philosophical and anthropological issues. Or sometimes the most interesting viewpoint has to do with the conventions of everyday life. Invariably in these essays a literary text poses a puzzling question inviting inquiry; pursuing it, Professor Guthke takes his readers on an expedition into regions of the terres inconnues of human life and thought and sensibilities. Surprising vistas open up even on territories thought to be well travelled. Guthke has written the definitive book on the mysterious author of Treasure of the Sierra Madre known only as B. Traven, and readers of the present collection will find it equally fascinating.