A Dubious Past: Ernst Jünger and the Politics of Literature after Nazism (Volume 19) (Weimar and Now: German Cultural Criticism)

*A Dubious Past* examines from a new perspective the legacy of Ernst Jünger (1895-1998), one of the most fascinating figures in twentieth-century German intellectual life. From the time he burst onto the literary scene with *The Storms of Steel* in the early 1920s until he reached Olympian age in a reunited Germany, Jünger's writings on a vast range of topics generated scores of controversies. In old age he became a cultural celebrity whose long life mirrored the tragic twists and turns of Germany's most difficult century. Elliot Neaman's study reflects an impressive investigation of published and unpublished material, including letters, interviews, and other media. Through his analysis of Jünger's work and its reception over the years, he addresses central questions of German intellectual life, such as the postwar radical conservative interpretation of the Holocaust, divided memory, German identity, left and right critiques of civilization, and the political allegiances of the German and European political right. *A Dubious Past* reconceptualizes intellectual fascism as a sophisticated critique of liberal humanism and Marxism, one that should be seen as coherent and—for a surprising number of contemporary intellectuals—all too attractive. A Dubious Past Examines From New Perspectives The Legacy Of Ernst Junger (1895-1998), One Of The Most Fascinating Figures In Twentieth-century German Intellectual Life. From The Time He Burst Onto The Literary Scene With In Storms Of Steel In The Early 1920s Until He Reached Olympian Age In A Reunited Germany, Junger's Writings On A Vast Range Of Topics Generated Scores Of Controversies. In Old Age He Became A Cultural Celebrity Whose Long Life Was Seen To Have Mirrored The Tragic Twists And Turns Of Germany's Most Difficult Century. Neaman's Study Is Based On An Investigation Of Published And Unpublished Material Such As Letters, Interviews, And Other Media. Through His Analysis Of Junger's Work And Its Reception Over The Years, Neaman Addresses Central Questions Of German Intellectual Life, Including Postwar Radical-conservative Interpretation Of The Holocaust, Divided Memory. German Identity, Critiques Of Civilization From Both The Right And The Left, And The Political Allegiances Of The German And European Political Right.--jacket. 1. Ernst Junger: A German Life -- 2. The Junger Circle: Magnetic Repulsion And Attraction -- 3. The Marble Cliffs: An Allegory Of Power And Death -- 4. The Pen And The Sword: Last Knights Of The Majestic -- 5. The View From Above: Logs From A Sinking Ship -- 6. Challenging The Victor's Optic: Junger As Oracle In The Age Of Adenauer -- 7. Right Turn: Junger Retrieved In The Age Of Kohl. Elliot Y. Neaman. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "A Dubious Past examines from new perspectives the legacy of Ernst Junger (1895-1998), one of the most fascinating figures in twentieth-century German intellectual life. From the time he burst onto the literary scene with In Storms of Steel in the early 1920s until he reached Olympian age in a reunited Germany, Junger's writings on a vast range of topics generated scores of controversies. In old age he became a cultural celebrity whose long life was seen to have mirrored the tragic twists and turns of Germany's most difficult century."--BOOK JACKET. "Neaman's study is based on an investigation of published and unpublished material such as letters, interviews, and other media. Through his analysis of Junger's work and its reception over the years, Neaman addresses central questions of German intellectual life, including postwar radical-conservative interpretation of the Holocaust, divided memory. German identity, critiques of civilization from both the right and the left, and the political allegiances of the German and European political right."--BOOK JACKET. Examines the legacy of Ernst Junger, one of the most fascinating figures in 20th-century German intellectual life. This title addresses questions of German intellectual life, German identity, left and right critiques of civilization, and the political allegiances of the German and European political right.