This book traces shifting attitudes towards science and technology, nature and the environment in Twentieth-century Germany. It approaches them through discussion of a range of literary texts and explores the philosophical influences on them and their political contexts, and asks what part novels and plays have played in environmental debate.

'Axel Goodbody restores to Anglophone awareness the hugely influential past of German cultural responses to the rise of science and technology and their effects on attitudes toward the natural world. Everyone interested in modern science and environmentalism needs to be acquainted with this central part of our common history, too much of which has been forgotten since World War II.' - Louise Westling, Professor of English and Environmental Studies, University of Oregon, USA

'Axel Goodbody has produced an invigorating study not only deepening appreciation for well known prose, poetry, and drama, but also drawing attention to lesser known works. He advances transnational ecocritical theory through foregrounding German-language contributions within his highly nuanced orientation. This volume contributes significantly to German literary study and the practice of ecocriticism.' - Patrick D. Murphy, Professor, Department of English, University of Central Florida, USA

' ...a valuable contribution to an emerging topic in contemporary literary studies.' Oxford University Press

Autorentext
AXEL GOODBODY graduated in German and French from Trinity College Dublin, Republic of Ireland, and spent ten years teaching and pursuing postgraduate study at the University of Kiel in Germany. Since 1983 he has lectured at the University of Bath, and published widely on modern German literature and film, with a special focus on nature poetry and environmental literature.

Inhalt
Introduction PART I: THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES Nature in German Culture PART II: CRITIQUES OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Goethe as Ecophilosophical Inspiration and Literary Model From Modernist Catastrophe to Postmodern Survival PART III: NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN NATURE AND CULTURE Heideggerian Ecopoetics and the Nature Poetry Tradition The Call of the Wild Greening the City PART IV: CONCLUSION Nature as a Cultural Project