PREFACE TO FIFTH EDITION IT can hardly be necessary to point out that a radically revised edition is needed if only because there is a new Germany. The extensions required have been made, and in particular there has been added a chapter on philosophy, which today, apart from its value for itself, is indispensable for the comprehension of the new literature. It has been a sad task of mine to revise Chapters written by old friends who have passed away. Here and there I have made additions and added notes for clarification. Mrs Hannah Closs had revised and expanded her Chapter before her tragic death in 1953. A glance at the new Bibliographies will make it clear that the editor's reference in his first Preface to the dearth of authoritative books by British scholars no longer holds good; indeed for a considerable period now the tendency has rather been for standard books by our own scholars to be acclaimed in Germany. There has been no attempt in Chapter I to adapt the geographical and political picture to that of today; this cannot last: the Germany that will be again is the Germany of our first edition, and this is the Germany our students need to know. J. BITHELL September 1954 -viii- |