Description
Book SynopsisThis work explores the experiences of Hans Werner Richter and Alfred Andersch, authors who served in the German army during World War II, were captured by U.S. forces, and enlisted into a secret program to promote American democracy to their fellow POWs while imprisoned in the United States. Upon repatriation, they brought their experiences with the POW publication Der Ruf back to Germany, where they founded a periodical of the same name. Having grown disillusioned with the American occupation, the authors’ stark criticisms of U.S. policies led to their dismissal from the second Der Ruf after only fifteen issues. This study attempts to understand their journey from acceptance and endorsement of American democratic ideals to disappointment and opposition to U.S. occupation policies. This transition played a crucial role in the foundation of the most influential West German literary circle: Group 47, organized a few months after the authors’ dismissal.
Table of ContentsContents INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1: GERMAN PRISONERS OF WAR IN THE UNITED STATES DURING WORLD WAR II: AN OVERVIEW CHAPTER 2: ALFRED ANDERSCH AND HANS WERNER RICHTER CHAPTER 3: DER RUF: THE CALL GOES OUT CHAPTER 4: OCCUPATION, OPTIMISM, AND OPPOSITION: ANDERSCH, RICHTER, AND THE SECOND VERSION OF DER RUF CHAPTER 5: GROUP 47 AND BEYOND: AN EXTENDED EPILOGUE CONCLUSION BIBLIOGRAPHY ABOUT THE AUTHOR
