The German novelist's experiences campaigning for Willy Brandt provide a portrait of Grass the family man, writer, and concerned citizen, and a meditation on his nation's history and civilization's progress. Translated by Ralph Manheim. A Helen and Kurt Wolff Book.
Gunter Grass, Germany's most famous literary figure, is also known in his country as a political speaker. In 1969 Grass gave close to one hundred election speeches for Willy Brandt's party, the Social Democrats. His family saw him only intermittently. In his snail's diary, he...