Florian Illies is a German journalist who has worked
for major European newspapers and magazines and cofounded the art
magazine Monopol. He is the author of four previous
bestselling books, which have sold more than 1 million
copies. 1913 is his first book to be translated into
English.
Shaun Whiteside’s translations include
Nietzsche’s The Birth of Tragedy and Robert
Musil’s The Confusions of Young Törless. Jamie Lee
Searle’s recent translations include works by Ursula
Poznanski, Frank Schatzing, and Dora Heldt.
Praise for 1913
"A fascinating new structure of writing... With exceptional
wit and understanding, Illies shows the societal and cultural
changes propelling man toward modern art, new thought processes and
war."
—Kirkus, starred review
"An utterly delicious treat or an ideal present for anyone even
mildly interested in 20th-century art, music and literature....a
sexy, comic and occasionally heartbreaking soap opera.... an
irresistible book, excellently translated and packed with factoids
and surprising encounters."
—Michael Dirda, The Washington Post
"Illies’s stylish evocation of 1913 is thrilling entertainment for
those who have heard it all before but wish to experience—one more
time, perhaps—the bleary-eyed ecstasy that is the result of staying
up all night reading a book in one sitting."
—The Weekly Standard
“Interactive and full of vigorous energy as moments intertwine, and
connections one rarely contemplates in the same context are finally
connected... With confidence the text reverberates through the
following years by offering a new perspective on the roots of the
20th century... A welcome presence on any book shelf."
—PopMatters
“The rich range of subjects, the vibrancy of the writing, here
translated by Whiteside and Searle, and the intimate details of the
biographies all make this a fast-paced and engrossing read… Highly
recommended.”
—Library Journal, starred review
“Already an international bestseller, German author Florian
Illies’s 1913: The Year Before the Storm is an absolute gem of a
book. His snapshot approach to the year, recorded month by month,
is the most original historical account I’ve come across . . .
Illies’ genius turn of phrase, beautifully retained by Shaun
Whiteside and Jamie Lee Searle’s elegant translation, can be found
throughout . . . The entries read like history’s footnotes, but as
anyone who’s read Freud knows, the footnotes always tell the best
story.”
—Lucy Scholes, The Observer
“An entertaining and illuminating study.”
—Shirley Whiteside, The Independent
“A hugely enjoyable idiosyncratic month-by-month narrative, in
which the frenzy of artistic activity in London, Paris, Vienna,
Berlin, and Trieste is conveyed with vigour and humour.”
—Juliet Nicolson, The Daily Telegraph
“A vivid, richly textured book that chronicles a world crackling
with talent, energy and foreboding. The pace and scale of activity
is at times breathtaking . . . Illies’ talent is to weave all this
together in a way that keeps the reader with him.”
—The Financial Times
“This highly entertaining month-by-month account of 1913 . . . is
rich in detail, humour and vivid pen portraits . . . 1913 is the
best possible holiday read—or gift—as it is so enjoyable, yet the
breadth of information and astute insight will prevent one feeling
guilty of indulgence.”
—Eileen Battersby, The Irish Times
“Illies is as astute a researcher as he is an observer of the
zeitgeist . . . Reads like something out of a magic realist
novel.”
—The Guardian
“Illies shapes his material not as a scholar, but as a wordsmith,
as a story-teller with a strong sense for dramatic effect and
composition . . . The most enjoyable book I’ve read in
years.”
—Die Welt
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