The Temptation of Despair: Tales of the 1940s - Book Discussion

Explore Werner Sollors' compelling analysis of post-World War II Germany in this Harvard University lecture. Delve into the themes of his book "The Temptation of Despair: Tales of the 1940s," as Sollors, the Henry B. and Anne M. Cabot Professor of English Literature and Professor of African and African American Studies, presents a nuanced examination of the era. Gain insights from respondents Janet Halley, Royall Professor of Law, and Henry Rosovsky, Lewis P. and Linda L. Geyser University Professor Emeritus. Discover diverse perspectives on topics such as Gertrude Stein, urban photography, German suffering, population transfers, ideological critique, and the complexities of post-war interactions. Uncover the challenges and moral dilemmas faced by individuals and societies in the aftermath of conflict through Sollors' thought-provoking exploration of this pivotal historical period.

Introduction
Gertrude Stein
Urban Photography
A 1945 encounter
German suffering
Population transfers
Ideological critique
Looking at atrocity
James Stern
Karl Schmidt
The Third Way
A Different Perspective
My Perspective
I didnt fraternize