20 square kilometers of cultural history

Catherine the Great wanted to acquire the island for her fleet. It served as the setting for William Shakespeare's "The Tempest". Ariosto's Orlando Furioso fights on the shore of Lampedusa. Hundreds of Mussolini's troops voluntarily capitulated to a British-Jewish fighter pilot who had to make a forced landing on the little island. The Italian novelist Tomasi di Lampedusa mocked the piece of land that he shared a name with. And for more than twenty years, Lampedusa has been a place of hope for ten thousands of refugees. Ulrich Ladurner sets out to explore the story of these rugged cliffs in the middle of the sea – and he found remarkable testimony from the heart of historical and present day Europe.

It's time to re-invent ourselves!

Biochemist Renée Schroeder learns from cells and bacteria, which exist in an environment of controlled growth and selfless behavior. In light of uncontrolled economical growth and an explosive surge in birth rates, it has become clear: We can't continue on the path we're on! We are in need of a new society with new values, where quality is more important than quantity. Renée Schroeder draws parallels between her research and the world we live in, with remarkable results. She points out new ways for us to save our planet and ourselves! Her most important rule is: Keep on thinking! A fearless plea for responsibility, for rethinking our actions – a book that gives hope.

There are ways to a better, more compassionate world.

We live in a world where corruption, deception and violence, relentless careerism and unlimited greed are accepted by nearly everyone. Barely anyone asks: Do things have to be this way? What happened to an individual and collective sense of responsibility? Why do less and less people have a sense for injustice? Rotraud A. Perner embarks on a quest to find out why the courage to take on responsibility seems to be lost. She analizes the causes and describes a path to a better, more compassionate world. Perner not only delivers one of the most fascinating analyses of today’s world, she also points out the purifying power of repentance and the many possibilities of a culture of honesty.

An introduction to one of the most important German-speaking writers of our time.

With his literary cycles “Orkus” and “Die Archive des Schweigens” Gerhard Roth consolidated his status as one of the most important authors of contemporary German literature. For more than three decades, his literary oeuvre has been dedicated to the fight against neglecting historical responsibility. He is also an avid contributor to ongoing political debates. Uwe Schütte’s dossier on Roth grants deep insights into the author’s work and demonstrates its role as an artistic tracing of the dark past. Gerhard Roth’s literary work can be read as a project, as an alternative to official historical interpretations and as a multilayered oeuvre that gives a voice to the persecuted, forgotten and alienated.

When shards tell history.

Economic crisis, migration, environmental problems and creating tolerance for diversity are some of the main issues of today’s world. Earlier societies dealt with these kinds of problems as well. In the end, every era finds its own answers. Sabine Ladstätter takes us on a tour into the past, to archeological sites and to the stories of their discovery – searching for the answers that people from other eras found for questions we still ask today. This book cleverly proves that archeology is more than bones, stones and shards. It’s a science that can deliver answers about the past that help us gain socially relevant insights for today. Archeology is adventure!

The greatest art historical thriller of World War II.

The Allies had won the war, Hitler was dead, but a fanatic Gauleiter was still set on destroying Europe’s greatest art treasure: an enormous collection of art works confiscated by the Nazis. The Gauleiter gave orders to blow up the tunnels of Altaussee’s salt mine where the stolen art, intended for the ‘Führermuseum’, had been hidden since 1943. Masterpieces by Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Rubens, Vermeer and Leonardo da Vinci were almost blown to pieces. But luckily, a handful of local men from Salzkammergut (and a few accomplices) managed to save the priceless treasure from destruction. Mission Michelangelo is the story of a few brave men and one of the most mysterious episodes from the last days of World War II.

Where art and religion meet – and find people.

Art and religion are often deemed incompatible. Jesuit Father Gustav Schörghofer manages to debunk this assumption by illuminating how, throughout the centuries and up to this day, religion has created images and images have supported religion. Looking beyond painterly techniques and subjects, he demonstrates humankind’s deeply rooted need to discover and create sense beyond one’s self. At the same time, he points out the value of visual beauty and poetic ideas for religious teachings. Stroke by stroke, this double perspective paints a picture of art and religion that creates proximity where distance was sought for a long time.

Christine Nöstlinger tells her life story.

Christine Nöstlinger tells a story – neither the one about the grumpy Cucumber King, nor the one about Franz who looks like a girl. Here we find out about her own life: surviving the war in bomb shelters as a child; starting her first confession with a lie; learning about human nature on her kick scooter; loosing a borrowed bra during dance classes and holding her ground in a group of men as an art student. The great author of children’s and young adult literature, journalist, poet and writer tells us about marriages, daughters and affairs. We learn about her success, angry attacks by teachers and ludicrous political correctness sheriffs. She also questions the importance of aging gracefully.

“My harmony is just balance.”

His poetry was subversive, his translations are acclaimed to this day, his “Songs from the Gallows” are considered among the most popular German poems. Christian Morgenstern was one of the most interesting authors of his time. Born 1871, he lived in a time marked by radical mental, technological and cultural changes: the beginning of the Modern Era. His generational peers include Rilke, Hofmannsthal and Robert Walser. With its multilayered and fragmented quality, Morgenstern’s oeuvre reacted to a period of continuous and quick changes. Jochen Schimmang sheds new light on the life and work of this exceptional author.

The biography of the infamous outlaw couple.

The USA during the 1930s, the era of the Great Depression. In order to escape poverty and unemployment, Bonnie & Clyde come up with an unusual business plan: They begin robbing banks for a living. Admired by the losers of the American Dream, they keep a nation in suspense for two years. Then FBI-director Hoover declares war on the two outlaws… How could a young couple from Texas responsible for the cold-blooded killing of innocent people become popular heroes? Michaela Karl tells the fascinating story of Bonnie & Clyde in her newest book. It is the story of a relentless struggle against state and law – and the story of a great love.