April's Top Non-Fiction Books Spark Debate on Democracy and History

The April selection of 'Sachbücher des Monats' (Non-Fiction Books of the Month) features ten titles across humanities, social sciences, and economics, curated by an independent jury. The list is headlined by historian Jörg Baberowski's 'Am Volk vorbei. Zur Krise der liberalen Demokratie' (C.H. Beck, 208 pages, €25), which examines rising dissatisfaction with governments in Western nations. The work has drawn criticism from Christian Staas at Zeit Online, who characterized it as a polemic against liberal democracy. Other notable entries include philosopher Eva von Redecker's analysis of contemporary fascism in 'Dieser Drang nach Härte. Über den neuen Faschismus' (S. Fischer, 269 pages, €24) and a collection of George Orwell's wartime columns, 'Zeilen der Zeit' (Reclam, 267 pages, €25). Historian Susanne Heim's 'Die Abschottung der Welt. Als Juden vor verschlossenen Grenzen standen 1933 – 1945' (C.H. Beck, 384 pages, €34) systematically analyzes the mass exodus triggered by Nazi persecution. Actor Matthias Brandt reflects on the July 20, 1944 resistance plot in 'Nein sagen' (Kiepenheuer & Witsch, 120 pages, €16). Literary scholar Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht publishes his autobiography 'Sepp. Mein Leben auf Halbdistanz' (Suhrkamp, 493 pages, €30). Biographer Volker Ullrich explores resistance figure Helmuth James von Moltke in a new work (C.H. Beck, 428 pages, €32). Activist Daniel Cohn-Bendit releases memoirs (Jacoby & Stuart, 216 pages, €26). Author and jurist Bernhard Schlink examines legal philosophy in 'Gerechtigkeit' (Diogenes, 199 pages, €25). Sociologist Armin Nassehi analyzes antisemitism across ideological spectra (C.H. Beck, 237 pages, €22). An external recommendation by historian Barbara Stollberg-Rilinger highlights Martin Schulze Wessel's 'Die übersehene Nation. Deutschland und die Ukraine seit dem 19. Jahrhundert' (C.H. Beck, 287 pages, €28), which traces historical connections between Germany and Ukraine. The jury comprises critics and academics from German-speaking media and institutions.