A Glimpse from the Outside: German Publications Reviewed by the "Friends of Europe" Periodical
Friends of Europe issue from Oct. 1937. Published by British and American critics of Nazism with the stated objective to “encourage effective co-operation for the prevention of war and the promotion of peace” and “to provide in the English language accurate information about Nazi Germany.” Alongside reports on current events in Germany such as the ninth Nuremberg Party Congress, the issue also reviews recent German publications. Under “Literature,” for example, one can find a number of new books that concentrate on the theme of nature like Der Wunderbaum (Wonder Tree) and Maerchen (fairy tales), the latter summarized as “Illustrated and delightful fairy tales, which enter into the life of plants and animal, water and earth. Real refreshment for bored and jaded Nazis.” The same section also includes a survey of a recent dissertation on Rilke's Book of Hours and a recent study on Nietzsche's critique of Christianity suggesting that “the next phase, after Christianity has been left behind is now being lived by Germany.”