Ernst Toller Book order

Drew Lichtenberg is an adaptor, translator, and dramaturg who lives in Washington, D.C. He has worked with the Royal National Theatre, the Roundabout Theatre Company on Broadway, La Mama and the Public Theater off-Broadway, and regionally with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Baltimore Center Stage, Yale Repertory Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and others. He is currently the Literary Manager and Resident Dramaturg at the Shakespeare Theatre Company. He has taught as an adjunct at Eugene Lang College at the New School and the Catholic University of America. He holds a Doctorate in Fine Arts from Yale School of Drama.

Vormorgen presents a comprehensive collection of Ernst Toller's poetic works, marking the first time in nearly a century that his poetry is gathered in a single volume. This edition highlights Toller's significant contributions to literature, showcasing his unique voice and themes.

Ernst Toller was a revolutionary, poet and playwright engagé, president for six days of the short-lived Bavarian Soviet Republic, best known for his Expressionist plays Hoppla! We’re Alive, Man of the Masses and Machine Breakers. In his day Ernst Toller (1893-1939) was as renowned as the young Bertolt Brecht. High profile persona non grata in 1933 when the Nazis came to power, Toller fled to London, went on a lecture tour to the U. S. in 1936, and tried to make a go of it as a screenwriter in Los Angeles. Dispirited, despondent upon learning that his brother and sister had been sent to a concentration camp, and convinced that the world as he knew it had succumbed to the forces of darkness, Toller was found dead by hanging, a presumed suicide, in his room at the Hotel Mayflower on May 22, 1939. Conceived in the German theatrical tradition of Jakob Michael Reinhold Lenz’s The Soldiers and Georg Büchner’s Woyzeck, Toller’s devastating tragedy Hinkemann is a painfully poetic plaidoyer for the overlooked vision and voice of the victim.

The collection features social dramas and tragedies that explore the depths of human suffering and the often futile attempts to overcome it. Through powerful narratives, the plays highlight the resilience of the human spirit while confronting the harsh realities of life.

Focusing on the struggles of a WWI veteran, the play explores themes of trauma and reintegration into society. Written by Ernst Toller during his imprisonment, it showcases his revolutionary spirit and expressionist style. Originally published in 1922, this rare text is now republished with a new biography, highlighting Toller's significance in literature. This engaging tragedy is essential for both fans of Toller and collectors of historical works, emphasizing its enduring literary value for future generations.

Ernst Toller's autobiography delves into his life as a German playwright and political figure, highlighting his brief presidency of the Bavarian Soviet Republic in 1919 and subsequent imprisonment. The narrative covers significant themes such as childhood, war experiences, and revolutionary fervor, offering insight into his expressionist works and the tumultuous historical context of early 20th-century Europe. This modern edition also includes a new biography, making it a valuable resource for those interested in European history and literature.

Ernst Toller's "No More Peace" is an engaging comedy that combines entertainment with thought-provoking themes. Originally published in 1937, this play reflects the author's background as a left-wing playwright and his experiences, including his brief presidency of the Bavarian Soviet Republic. The new edition features a prefatory biography, enhancing the reader's understanding of Toller's life and work. Recognized for its literary significance, this play aims to captivate and inspire future generations.

Ernst Toller, a leading figure of German Expressionism, explores his journey from patriotism to pacifism during World War I in "Transformation." The work captures his evolving ideology through poetic reflections. In "Masses Man," Toller contrasts utopian socialist ideals with the harsh realities of Leninist violence. His piece "Hoopla We're Alive" advocates for a "new sobriety," offering a vivid portrayal of contemporary political life in Berlin, showcasing the complexities of societal change during a tumultuous period.