In a work of great originality Germanys most eminent writer examines thevictories and terrors of the twentieth century a period of astounding changefor mankind.... » 

In a work of great originality Germanys most eminent writer examines thevictories and terrors of the twentieth century a period of astounding changefor mankind. Great events and seemingly trivial occurrences technicaldevelopments and scientific achievements war and disasters and newbeginnings all unfold to display our century in its glory and grimness. A richand lively display of Grasss extraordinary imagination the 100 interlinkedstories in this volumeone for each year from 1900 to 1999present a historicaland social portrait for the millennium a tale of our times in all its grandeurand all its horror. «