The Decision

Die Entscheidung 

review

‘The Decision’ is an accessible and detailed historical account of the decline of the Weimar Republic 1929–1934 by renowned journalist Jens Bisky.

In October 1929, the death of German Foreign Minister Gustav Stresemann prompted concerns about the stability of the Weimar Republic. By the summer of 1930, the country faced a choice between maintaining democracy and turning towards a fascist regime. This period saw the emergence of radical movements, the breakdown of bourgeois society, and growing discontent among the middle class, all of which played a role in Hitler’s ascent to power, along with other factors discussed in the book.

Jens Bisky’s in-depth analysis of the political developments of the period is spread over twenty-one chapters. The book has a well-organised chronological structure and the author’s engaging storytelling adds to its appeal. ‘The Decision’ explores historical milestones up until 1934, including the farmers’ uprising, the Young Plan, and the radicalisation of younger generations. Sub-chapters make it easy to follow the narrative. 

The events of the 1930s shaped the future of the German nation, and had a global impact. Jens Bisky analyses some of the political strategies and options that might have helped prevent a fascist dictatorship. The Weimar Republic is a well-known period in German history, but ‘The Decision’ adds an array of new perspectives on the topic, including those of journalists, lawyers, and writers including Thomas Mann and Victor Klemperer. Alongside its engrossing narrative, ‘The Decision’ offers impressive in-depth analysis.

An English-language edition of ‘The Decision’ would appeal to international academic and literary audiences and would be a timely publication in view of current political developments in Germany and Europe. 

‘The Decision’ has received very positive reviews in the German-speaking press and its success in the bestseller charts indicates that it is clearly resonating with readers. Jens Bisky’s insightful analysis of the Weimar period and his gift for historical narrative is an irresistible combination, keeping readers in suspense until the final chapters.

Find out more: https://www.rowohlt.de/verlag/rights/book/jens-bisky-die-entscheidung-9783737101257

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about the author

rights information

Rowohlt . Berlin Verlag nonfiction
foreign rights: Ms. Gertje Maaß, gertje.maass@rowohlt.de

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