Zusammenfassung
An Anthology of German Literature by Calvin Thomas is a comprehensive collection designed to accompany the study of German literary history, covering works from the earliest times to the eighteenth century.
Part First includes modern German translations of medieval texts, such as The Lay of Hildebrand, The Merseburg Charms, and The Wessobrunn Prayer, emphasizing literary value over linguistic study.
Part Second presents original texts from the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries, including works by Martin Luther, Hans Sachs, and Friedrich Schiller, without modernization to preserve their historical flavor.
The anthology avoids extensive coverage of classical works by Lessing, Goethe, and Schiller, as these are presumed familiar to students.
It prioritizes literary significance and Germanic content, excluding Latin or overly Christian works, and provides brief introductions for context.