THE COLOSSUS AGAIN and MAINSPRINGS OF GERMAN REVIVAL

by ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 15, 1955

These two books supplement each other to such an extraordinary degree that we are covering them- inadequately to be sure- together. The Grosser book represents a singularly objective view of Germany's recovery, from the Frenchman's viewpoint; the Wallich book is a dispassionate statement of the economic factors, primarily contributing to recovery. Neither book could be taken as a polemic, for or against German recovery. The Grosser book is designed for the layman, primarily, and goes into the contrasts between the chaos of 1945- the miracle of recovery, 1955. It discusses psychological factors as well as industrial and economic, the social picture, the effect of denazification, partition, occupation; the status of youth, religion, culture. The Wallich book, on the other hand, is intensely concentrated on the details of the economic, industrial, monetary picture, and expands those facets presented by Grosser. It places less emphasis on the strengths and weaknesses inherent in the situation, and scarcely notes at all the place of Germany in Europe's military picture. I'd suggest the Grosser for the average reader; the Wallich as a follow through for the economist.

Pub Date: Oct. 15, 1955

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Frederick A. Praeger; Yale Univ. Press

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1955

Categories: NONFICTION