Werner Herzog's memoir 'Every Man for Himself and God Against All' avoids introspection while revealing artistic process

Werner Herzog's memoir, titled 'Every Man for Himself and God Against All,' has been translated by Michael Hofmann and released by Bodley Head. Rather than delving into personal reflection, Herzog chronicles his journey from his youth in the German Alps to his career in filmmaking. The book highlights the perilous production of his 1982 film 'Fitzcarraldo,' featuring Klaus Kinski, which required the transportation of a steamship across land in the Amazon basin. Crew members suffered various injuries, with one losing his voice and another becoming paraplegic due to a plane crash. Herzog eschews self-examination, likening it to illuminating a house too harshly, and notes that he seldom dreams, instead experiencing waking visions. The memoir also touches on his marriages, children, and collaborations, resulting in a detached narrative. Rebecca Tamás provided a review for ArtReview.