-- [ From: e-ensign * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] -- >some years ago I came across a reference to a German book >entitled THE STAR OF THE COVENANT, which many German >soldiers carried in their knapsacks during the Great War. I would >like to know more about it - whether it has ever been translated into >English, who the author was, etc. My guess is: DER STERN DES BUNDES written by STEFAN GEORGE published in 1914 Translated into English? Most probably not as George wrote a very idiosyncratic kind of poetry. Historical detail: Colonel Count Stauffenberg, who attempted to assassinate Hitler almost exactly 55 years ago, and his brothers belonged to the circle around George in the 30s and were heavily influenced by his work. Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh (of "The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail" fame) wrote a book about George and Stauffenberg some years ago: "Secret Germany: Claus Von Stauffenberg and the Mystical Crusade" (don't know the publisher, but there even was a paperback edition) But be warned: Baigent and Leigh are sensationalists, not academics. However , the book contains translations of some of George's poems, which you may find useful. Regards, RB PS.: "... which many German soldiers carried in their knapsacks during the Great War ... " - That seems to me to be a bit of cliché. The average soldier most probably just carried pretty banal things in his knapsack. And if books were in it as well I've my doubts about their literary value (I'd say more pornography than poetry). If you're interested in the "Sittengeschichte" of the Great War you should have a look at Magnus Hirschfeld's work.
Follow Ups to this Message
Markup © John King, 2008. Web archive generated Tue, 21st August 2007.