Jan Herman Bücher

In seinen Anmerkungen zu »Kleine Tiere. 29 missgestaltete Sonette« schreibt Jan Herman: »Große Schönheit aus großer Verzweiflung beugt den Geist. Das ist das Ziel eines jeden Dichters.« Er hat seine Sonette »verschorfte Wunden« genannt. Sie sind die seltenen weltlichen Güter des Dichters, die persönliche Gespenster auf der Seite zum Leben erwecken. Der Literaturkritiker David Erdos nannte sie »Tränen für die Zunge« und »dunkle Diamanten«, »Sonette der Erfahrung, die sogar [William] Blake gefallen würden.« (MÜ Magazine, London). Sie necken manchmal mit Humor und halten die Aufmerksamkeit oft mit dem Versprechen eines Ziels, eines zweifelhaften Abenteuers oder einer obszönen Geschichtsstunde. Und natürlich erhebt die Sterblichkeit mehr als einmal ihr wissendes Haupt: »Sollen wir jetzt weinen / um die Sonne / zurückzulassen, / mit leichtem Bleistift geschrieben?«

When I wrote The Dutch, the Germans and the Jews, I did not realise that the article was to become so controversial. With regard to the wartime record of the Netherlands, the Dutch had, over the years, constructed a national image of heroic resistance against the German occupier. This image was complemented by a stress on Dutch support of its persecuted Jewish citizens. My article noted, however, that little was further from the truth. On virtually all levels, before and even during the war, a substantial number of Dutch people collaborated with Nazi Germany. The Jewish Dutch received only scant support. A good philosopher, according to Nietzsche, has to be the bad conscience of his time. I argue that this duty also applies to historians and journalists. I hope that my critique will be seen as an invitation to researchers to take a closer look at this black page in Dutch history.

This is a study of the growth of the right wing in a reunited Germany. Since the end of the Cold War, an explosion of xenophobia and attacks on foreigners - some of them asylum-seekers - has attracted world-wide media attention. Coming after the seemingly miraculous celebration of freedom accompanying the fall of the Berlin Wall and the country's reunification, these events have caused acute anxiety within Germany itself. These phenomena are not exclusive to Germany, but their undertones of Nazism have prompted the question: how could this happen in a country that had so firmly repudiated its past and rightly prided itself on its anti-fascism and liberal democracy? The author sets this development in its historical context, showing the long-established continuity of right-wing influence and power in German conservative politics, and he explores the effects of the end of the Cold War on German society and politics. He also examines the growth of xenophobia and right-wing attitudes in the former GDR since the implosion of communism. Germany's current position as a regional super-power and its contribution to European economic progress, make this text a significant and topical contribution.

The exploration of narrative as a form of truth is central to the eighteenth-century novel, prompting J. Herman to investigate how language conceals or reveals the origins of the stories it tells. By engaging with writing theories from Plato to Derrida, Herman presents a fresh lens for reading memoir-novels, particularly analyzing the recurring motif of the found child. This figure serves as both theme and metaphor for the text's quest for legitimacy. Through a detailed theoretical exposition and systematic analysis of key works by authors like Marivaux and Laclos, a new rhetorical decoding method emerges.

The collection features sonnets that evoke deep emotional resonance, likened to "dark diamonds" for their richness and complexity. These poems aim to enhance perception and evoke a sensory experience, appealing to the intellect and emotions alike. David Erdos praises their ability to restore a sense of appreciation for language and art, suggesting that they resonate with the timeless qualities found in the works of Blake.

The collection features free sonnets that capture profound experiences, evoking a sense of taste and perception. Each poem serves as a sensory exploration, inviting readers to savor the emotions conveyed. With rich imagery and depth, these works are described as "dark diamonds," suggesting a blend of beauty and complexity that resonates deeply, aiming to elevate the reader's awareness and appreciation of life.