This historic youth movement left a remarkable legacy in the 20th century. Notable members included Willy Brandt, Walter Dirks, Manfred Hausmann, Werner Heisenberg, Robert Jungk and Johannes Rau. Many of these names are associated with German history after the Second World War.To what extent have experiences in the youth movement inspired and influenced self-images and worldviews? To what extent were the orientations of the youth movement sustained in terms of commitment to social obligation and responsibility? How are these impulses reflected in lifestyles and self-images of well-known politicians, educators, theologians, philosophers, sociologists?In this book autobiographical documents of more than 60 prominent public figures are commented upon. The annotated collection presents a broad selection of social and biographical accounts of the youth movement in 20th-century German History.

Prof. Dr. Barbara Stambolis lehrt Neuere und Neueste Geschichte an der Universität Paderborn.