Ruth Wittlinger Book order

The book delves into the interplay between politics and literature in Britain during the 1970s and 1980s, focusing on Margaret Drabble's "state of the nation" novels. It highlights how these works contribute to the political discourse of a transformative era in British history, characterized by the shift from post-war social democracy to the rise of Thatcherism. Through this analysis, the study sheds light on the broader implications of literature in shaping national identity and political thought during a pivotal time.

Wittlinger takes a fresh look at German national identity in the 21st century and shows that it has undergone considerable changes since unification in 1990. Due to the external pressures of the post-cold war world and recent domestic developments, Germany has re-emerged as a nation which is less hesitant to assert its national interest.