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.

Lion Feuchtwanger, world-famous author of "Jud Süß" and "Erfolg" was one of the most eminent thinkers of his time. He deeply influenced the style of theater and literature. He maintained political composure and consciousness when faced with atrocious historical events and never lost his humanity, even when his existence was threatened. Born 1884 in Munich, the Jewish intellectual was one of the first to warn of the impending danger of the Nazis. While in exile in France and the USA, he was a continuous source of support for others. Deep friendships connected him to others who had to escape, including Arnold Zweig, Bertolt Brecht and Heinrich Mann. This biography of the remarkable Lion Feuchtwanger teaches us many valuable lessons.

70, 000 years ago, humans were first able to form a thought about something that didn't exist. What sounds simple actually marks the birth of human culture and poses the outset for a range of inventions that have formed human nature and haven't necessarily changed us for the better. We thought up myths and religions and invented languages, money and racism. Now humankind is about to complete its greatest invention: itself. Science allows us to continue our own evolution. Renée Schroeder looks back at the short period of humankind's existence, takes a detour into genetics and proclaims a new age of enlightenment.