Wolf Lepenies Book order

During the Allied bombing of Germany, Hitler expressed greater distress over the loss of cultural treasures than the destruction of homes. His propagandists highlighted this fact, believing it showcased his sensitivity rather than callousness, suggesting that the destruction failed to diminish his artistic spirit. To understand this mindset, one must explore what Wolf Lepenies describes as The Seduction of Culture in German History. This intriguing book delves into Germany's tendency to prioritize cultural achievement above all else, viewing it as a noble substitute for politics. Lepenies traces the impact of this inclination on German history from the late eighteenth century to the present, arguing that the preference for art over politics is crucial to comprehending the unique nature of Nazism. This includes its aesthetic allure to many Germans and the fact that Hitler and many of his associates were failed artists and intellectuals who treated politics as a form of art. Through a series of historical, intellectual, literary, and artistic vignettes, the book emphasizes figures like Goethe and Thomas Mann while also discussing Novalis, Walt Whitman, Leo Strauss, and Allan Bloom. Ultimately, it examines how Germany's cultural obsession and disdain for politics have influenced its relations with countries like France and the United States.

The book delves into the emergence of Sociology as a discipline, highlighting the influential thinkers of the nineteenth century who shaped its foundations. It explores their ideas, methodologies, and the social contexts that spurred their contributions, providing insights into how their work laid the groundwork for modern sociological thought. Through detailed analysis, the author presents a comprehensive overview of the evolution of sociological theory during this pivotal era.

Entangled Histories and Negotiated Universals explores the changing field of local histories. Young researchers from around the world—including scholars from Canada, Mozambique, China, and Germany, representing fields as diverse as history, linguistics, political science, anthropology, medicine, and materials science—present their findings, all of which coincide in their understanding that local histories are inseparably intertwined and that, fundamentally, all history is the history of relationships.

Shows that melancholy is not only a psychological condition that affects individuals but a social and cultural phenomenon that can help in understanding the middle class. Lepenies focuses on what it means when people claim to be melancholy and examines the origin and spread of the phenomenon.