Studies in German history

Entrepreneur and Nazi functionary Fritz Kiehn lived through almost 100 years of German history, from the Bismarck era to the late Bonn Republic. A successful manufacturer, Kiehn joined the Nazi Party in 1930 and obtained a number of influential posts after 1933, making him one of the most powerful Nazi functionaries in southern Germany. These posts allowed him ample opportunity to profit from “Aryanizations” and state contracts. After 1945, he restored his reputation, was close to Adenauer’s CDU during Germany’s economic miracle, and was a respected and honored citizen in Trossingen. Kiehn’s biography provides a key to understanding the political upheavals of the twentieth century, especially the workings of the corrupt Nazi system as well as the “coming to terms” with National Socialism in the Federal Republic. (Source: [Berghahn Books](

The children of heroes. A fabulous quest to retrieve the Graystone Gem. The legend of Raistlin’s daughter. Many years ago, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman told the story of how the Companions of the Lance fought to save the world from sliding into darkness, fought to restore the fragile balance of good and evil. The war was won. Peace came to Krynn. The Companions of the Lance became heroes. The river of time flowed on. The heroes dreamed of finding safe harbor on that swift-running river. But the balance of eternal power is ever shifting, ever changing. The Queen of Darkness was defeated, not destroyed. Her powers are strong; people are weak. They forget the lessons of the past or close their eyes to them. The river’s waters grow more turbulent, dangerous. It its not, however, the Heroes of the Lance who will be forced to plunge into the raging river of coming war. Their time is past. Their stories are told. It is for them now to hand the future to those younger, stronger. It is time to pass the sword—or the staff—to those who will become the Heroes of the Second Generation. Or to those who will bring about its doom.