Amerikan Dream - A Transatlantic Cultural Logbook from Postwar Germany to Trumpist America

While originating in the author's experience as a German and American citizen, the book is not an autobiography. It combines narrative accounts, scholarly literary and art historical commentary, as well as critical political opinions. Focused on readings of German and American literature, art, film and popular culture in the context of the radically changing times, it is a cultural logbook of a shared transatlantic experience (1945 to the 2020s) with democracy at issue. The book speaks for the first time specifically for my unique cohort, 'Hitler's war children' (1939-1945), historically the most Americophile generation ever. At its core tracing the transformations of the German ideal of Bildung (classical education), it is a testimony to a privileged and educated stratum of that age-group.

About the author

Rainer Rumold, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA.

Summary

While originating in the author’s experience as a German and American citizen, the book is not an autobiography. It combines narrative accounts, scholarly literary and art historical commentary, as well as critical political opinions. Focused on readings of German and American literature, art, film and popular culture in the context of the radically changing times, it is a cultural logbook of a shared transatlantic experience (1945 to the 2020s) with democracy at issue. The book speaks for the first time specifically for my unique cohort, ‘Hitler’s war children’ (1939–1945), historically the most Americophile generation ever. At its core tracing the transformations of the German ideal of Bildung (classical education), it is a testimony to a privileged and educated stratum of that age-group.

Product details

• Authors: Rainer Rumold
• Publisher: Oldenbourg
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 14.12.2025
• EAN: 9783111631097
• ISBN: 978-3-11-163109-7
• No. of pages: 300
• Illustrations: 20 b/w and 5 col. ill.
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History; Nachkriegszeit, Bildung, Deutschland, Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika, USA, History, American Dream, Neofaschismus, Bildungsideal, HIS037070 HISTORY / Modern / 20th Century, HIS014000 HISTORY / Europe / Germany, Erste Hälfte 21. Jahrhundert (ca. 2000 bis ca. 2050), Zweite Hälfte 20. Jahrhundert (ca. 1950 bis ca. 1999), HIS037080 HISTORY / Modern / 21st Century, HIS036060 HISTORY / United States / 20th Century, HIS036000 HISTORY / United States / General, HIS036070 HISTORY / United States / 21st Century, postwar Germany, transatlantic neo-fascism