Jay Geller
@jaygeller.bsky.social
Professor of History, scholar of the German-Jewish experience, biographer of Gershom Scholem and family, and devotee of modernist architecture and design.
The @nytimes.com has reviewed the newest big book on the collapse of Weimar. The reviewer cites Peter Gay, Eric Weitz, and Harald Jähner.
Weitz's book is great (though Berlin-centric, IMHO). Jähner's book is very recent. But Gay is an odd choice if you know the literature on this topic.
1/3
Weitz's book is great (though Berlin-centric, IMHO). Jähner's book is very recent. But Gay is an odd choice if you know the literature on this topic.
1/3
November 12, 2025 at 12:54 AM
The @nytimes.com has reviewed the newest big book on the collapse of Weimar. The reviewer cites Peter Gay, Eric Weitz, and Harald Jähner.
Weitz's book is great (though Berlin-centric, IMHO). Jähner's book is very recent. But Gay is an odd choice if you know the literature on this topic.
1/3
Weitz's book is great (though Berlin-centric, IMHO). Jähner's book is very recent. But Gay is an odd choice if you know the literature on this topic.
1/3
Today, November 11, @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social is officially publishing its translation of "Effingers" by Gabriele Tergit.
This multi-generation saga of a Jewish family in Berlin is a masterpiece, and I highly recommend it.
www.nyrb.com/products/eff...
1/5
This multi-generation saga of a Jewish family in Berlin is a masterpiece, and I highly recommend it.
www.nyrb.com/products/eff...
1/5
Effingers
Gabriele Tergit’s Effingers is a novel, at once epic and intimate, about the lives and fates of three generations of a German Jewish family. Beginning in 1878 and ending in 1948, we follow the Effinge...
www.nyrb.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Today, November 11, @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social is officially publishing its translation of "Effingers" by Gabriele Tergit.
This multi-generation saga of a Jewish family in Berlin is a masterpiece, and I highly recommend it.
www.nyrb.com/products/eff...
1/5
This multi-generation saga of a Jewish family in Berlin is a masterpiece, and I highly recommend it.
www.nyrb.com/products/eff...
1/5
Hang on, when did reading become so performative?
November 10, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Hang on, when did reading become so performative?
Der Kommentar der Tagesschau beeindruckt mich: „Heute geht es [...] um eines: Das Leben in Freiheit und deren unschätzbarer Wert. Eine Freiheit, die im Osten von Mödlareuth fehlte.“
Dennoch stimmten 2/3 der lokalen Wähler für Parteien, die möglicherweise nicht vollständig demokratisch sind.
Dennoch stimmten 2/3 der lokalen Wähler für Parteien, die möglicherweise nicht vollständig demokratisch sind.
November 10, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Der Kommentar der Tagesschau beeindruckt mich: „Heute geht es [...] um eines: Das Leben in Freiheit und deren unschätzbarer Wert. Eine Freiheit, die im Osten von Mödlareuth fehlte.“
Dennoch stimmten 2/3 der lokalen Wähler für Parteien, die möglicherweise nicht vollständig demokratisch sind.
Dennoch stimmten 2/3 der lokalen Wähler für Parteien, die möglicherweise nicht vollständig demokratisch sind.
Frage an Politologen oder Soziologen:
Es ist schwierig, kontrafaktische Szenarien zu untersuchen, aber gibt es Studien darüber, wie die Abwanderung junger und/oder hochgebildeter Menschen aus Ostdeutschland den Wahlerfolg des politischen Extremismus, insbesondere der Rechten, ermöglicht hat?
Es ist schwierig, kontrafaktische Szenarien zu untersuchen, aber gibt es Studien darüber, wie die Abwanderung junger und/oder hochgebildeter Menschen aus Ostdeutschland den Wahlerfolg des politischen Extremismus, insbesondere der Rechten, ermöglicht hat?
November 8, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Frage an Politologen oder Soziologen:
Es ist schwierig, kontrafaktische Szenarien zu untersuchen, aber gibt es Studien darüber, wie die Abwanderung junger und/oder hochgebildeter Menschen aus Ostdeutschland den Wahlerfolg des politischen Extremismus, insbesondere der Rechten, ermöglicht hat?
Es ist schwierig, kontrafaktische Szenarien zu untersuchen, aber gibt es Studien darüber, wie die Abwanderung junger und/oder hochgebildeter Menschen aus Ostdeutschland den Wahlerfolg des politischen Extremismus, insbesondere der Rechten, ermöglicht hat?
Question for political scientists or sociologists:
It’s hard to research counterfactuals, but are there any studies on how the depopulation of eastern Germany, esp. by the young, ambitious, and/or highly educated has enabled the electoral success of political extremism, particularly on the right?
It’s hard to research counterfactuals, but are there any studies on how the depopulation of eastern Germany, esp. by the young, ambitious, and/or highly educated has enabled the electoral success of political extremism, particularly on the right?
November 7, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Question for political scientists or sociologists:
It’s hard to research counterfactuals, but are there any studies on how the depopulation of eastern Germany, esp. by the young, ambitious, and/or highly educated has enabled the electoral success of political extremism, particularly on the right?
It’s hard to research counterfactuals, but are there any studies on how the depopulation of eastern Germany, esp. by the young, ambitious, and/or highly educated has enabled the electoral success of political extremism, particularly on the right?
This feels like nostalgia for an ex-spouse who was domineering and even occasionally abusive, but the final divorce was amicable, and you have discovered that a speedy remarriage may not have been a great idea or, at least, is very complicated and uncomfortable.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/w...
Why Germany Is Still Divided When It Comes to Russia
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:19 PM
This feels like nostalgia for an ex-spouse who was domineering and even occasionally abusive, but the final divorce was amicable, and you have discovered that a speedy remarriage may not have been a great idea or, at least, is very complicated and uncomfortable.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/w...
Question for the historians of postwar Germany, especially those who focus on political culture:
After 1945 (or 1949), was there tremendous bitterness and hatred among core SPD voters/members directed at their neighbors who had voted NSDAP between 1930 and 1933?
After 1945 (or 1949), was there tremendous bitterness and hatred among core SPD voters/members directed at their neighbors who had voted NSDAP between 1930 and 1933?
October 31, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Question for the historians of postwar Germany, especially those who focus on political culture:
After 1945 (or 1949), was there tremendous bitterness and hatred among core SPD voters/members directed at their neighbors who had voted NSDAP between 1930 and 1933?
After 1945 (or 1949), was there tremendous bitterness and hatred among core SPD voters/members directed at their neighbors who had voted NSDAP between 1930 and 1933?
Ich habe eine Bitte an alle, die Zugang zur UB in Vechta, Hamburg, Hannover, Marburg oder Zwickau u.a. haben. Ich würde gerne jemanden bitten, für mich etwas in diesem Buch nachzuschlagen, wenn möglich:
Vom Traum zum Alptraum. Sachsen in der Weimarer Republik von Claus-Christian Szejnmann.
Danke!
Vom Traum zum Alptraum. Sachsen in der Weimarer Republik von Claus-Christian Szejnmann.
Danke!
September 26, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Ich habe eine Bitte an alle, die Zugang zur UB in Vechta, Hamburg, Hannover, Marburg oder Zwickau u.a. haben. Ich würde gerne jemanden bitten, für mich etwas in diesem Buch nachzuschlagen, wenn möglich:
Vom Traum zum Alptraum. Sachsen in der Weimarer Republik von Claus-Christian Szejnmann.
Danke!
Vom Traum zum Alptraum. Sachsen in der Weimarer Republik von Claus-Christian Szejnmann.
Danke!
Ich fand dieses Interview sehr lehrreich, um eine Stimme (oder eine Gruppe von Stimmen) zu verstehen, die im aktuellen politischen Medienklima übersehen wird.
www.welt.de/kultur/artic...
www.welt.de/kultur/artic...
Zeruya Shalev: „Die israelische Seele hat sich in den letzten Jahren dramatisch verändert“ - WELT
Zeruya Shalev kam in einem Kibbuz am See Genezareth zur Welt, heute ist sie eine der berühmtesten Schriftstellerinnen Israels. Im Gespräch mit Constantin Schreiber richtet sie einen Appell an die Demo...
www.welt.de
September 26, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Ich fand dieses Interview sehr lehrreich, um eine Stimme (oder eine Gruppe von Stimmen) zu verstehen, die im aktuellen politischen Medienklima übersehen wird.
www.welt.de/kultur/artic...
www.welt.de/kultur/artic...
Here's my hot take:
Academic books are simply priced much too expensively. No one should pay $120 for a 175-page book. Even with a conference discount of 25% off, it's simply *much* too expensive.
Academic books are simply priced much too expensively. No one should pay $120 for a 175-page book. Even with a conference discount of 25% off, it's simply *much* too expensive.
September 26, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Here's my hot take:
Academic books are simply priced much too expensively. No one should pay $120 for a 175-page book. Even with a conference discount of 25% off, it's simply *much* too expensive.
Academic books are simply priced much too expensively. No one should pay $120 for a 175-page book. Even with a conference discount of 25% off, it's simply *much* too expensive.
Na, Leute, ich habe eine Frage:
Schreibt Ihr den Namen der berühmten deutsch-jüdischen Organisation „Central-Verein” oder „Centralverein”?
Mit anderen Worten: mit oder ohne Bindestrich?
Schreibt Ihr den Namen der berühmten deutsch-jüdischen Organisation „Central-Verein” oder „Centralverein”?
Mit anderen Worten: mit oder ohne Bindestrich?
September 21, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Na, Leute, ich habe eine Frage:
Schreibt Ihr den Namen der berühmten deutsch-jüdischen Organisation „Central-Verein” oder „Centralverein”?
Mit anderen Worten: mit oder ohne Bindestrich?
Schreibt Ihr den Namen der berühmten deutsch-jüdischen Organisation „Central-Verein” oder „Centralverein”?
Mit anderen Worten: mit oder ohne Bindestrich?
Question for the historians of European-US relations or historians of social movements in Europe:
At the height of the Vietnam War (c. 1968-1973), there were lots of demonstrations in Europe against America’s war. Was there a mass movement for a blanket boycott of the United States and its citizens?
At the height of the Vietnam War (c. 1968-1973), there were lots of demonstrations in Europe against America’s war. Was there a mass movement for a blanket boycott of the United States and its citizens?
September 20, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Question for the historians of European-US relations or historians of social movements in Europe:
At the height of the Vietnam War (c. 1968-1973), there were lots of demonstrations in Europe against America’s war. Was there a mass movement for a blanket boycott of the United States and its citizens?
At the height of the Vietnam War (c. 1968-1973), there were lots of demonstrations in Europe against America’s war. Was there a mass movement for a blanket boycott of the United States and its citizens?
I have finally finished reading Effingers, @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social.
It is an absolute masterpiece. There’s so much to think about with this book.
(I can also see why it was a commercial failure when it first came out in German in 1951. It was a different era in terms of social discourse.)
It is an absolute masterpiece. There’s so much to think about with this book.
(I can also see why it was a commercial failure when it first came out in German in 1951. It was a different era in terms of social discourse.)
September 12, 2025 at 7:17 PM
I have finally finished reading Effingers, @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social.
It is an absolute masterpiece. There’s so much to think about with this book.
(I can also see why it was a commercial failure when it first came out in German in 1951. It was a different era in terms of social discourse.)
It is an absolute masterpiece. There’s so much to think about with this book.
(I can also see why it was a commercial failure when it first came out in German in 1951. It was a different era in terms of social discourse.)
It’s rare that I can say this, but right now, I’m reading an advance copy of a novel, and I cannot put it down. I’m completely immersed in it.
I highly recommend @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social’s English translation of Gabriele Tergit’s “Effingers,” available for purchase on November 11.
I highly recommend @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social’s English translation of Gabriele Tergit’s “Effingers,” available for purchase on November 11.
August 29, 2025 at 2:36 PM
It’s rare that I can say this, but right now, I’m reading an advance copy of a novel, and I cannot put it down. I’m completely immersed in it.
I highly recommend @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social’s English translation of Gabriele Tergit’s “Effingers,” available for purchase on November 11.
I highly recommend @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social’s English translation of Gabriele Tergit’s “Effingers,” available for purchase on November 11.
Historians of modern Europe,
I have a fun question for you: What movies vividly (and reasonably accurately) depict urban life and urbanization during the Belle Epoque?
I have a fun question for you: What movies vividly (and reasonably accurately) depict urban life and urbanization during the Belle Epoque?
July 9, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Historians of modern Europe,
I have a fun question for you: What movies vividly (and reasonably accurately) depict urban life and urbanization during the Belle Epoque?
I have a fun question for you: What movies vividly (and reasonably accurately) depict urban life and urbanization during the Belle Epoque?
Shortfilm Wim Wenders: The Keys to Freedom
YouTube video by AuswaertigesAmtDE
m.youtube.com
May 9, 2025 at 12:03 AM
I hope to see this book published in English, despite its very niche topic.
www.magnespress.co.il/en/book/Sove...
www.magnespress.co.il/en/book/Sove...
April 6, 2025 at 9:40 PM
I hope to see this book published in English, despite its very niche topic.
www.magnespress.co.il/en/book/Sove...
www.magnespress.co.il/en/book/Sove...
"Wir leben provisorisch, die Krise nimmt kein Ende!”
-Erich Kästner, Fabian. Die Geschichte eines Moralisten
-Erich Kästner, Fabian. Die Geschichte eines Moralisten
February 28, 2025 at 8:02 PM
"Wir leben provisorisch, die Krise nimmt kein Ende!”
-Erich Kästner, Fabian. Die Geschichte eines Moralisten
-Erich Kästner, Fabian. Die Geschichte eines Moralisten
"das Wissen fing an, unzeitgemäß zu werden, der unscharfe Typus Mensch, der die Gegenwart beherrscht, hatte sich durchzusetzen begonnen."
-Robert Musil, Der Mann ohne Eigenschaften
-Robert Musil, Der Mann ohne Eigenschaften
February 18, 2025 at 2:19 AM
"das Wissen fing an, unzeitgemäß zu werden, der unscharfe Typus Mensch, der die Gegenwart beherrscht, hatte sich durchzusetzen begonnen."
-Robert Musil, Der Mann ohne Eigenschaften
-Robert Musil, Der Mann ohne Eigenschaften
“'Etz chayim hi,' Dude, as the ex used to say.”
Can anyone recommend (scholarly?) readings on Jewish identity in modern America through the lens of Coen Brothers films?
(I already know the special issue of _AJS Review_ on "A Serious Man.")
Can anyone recommend (scholarly?) readings on Jewish identity in modern America through the lens of Coen Brothers films?
(I already know the special issue of _AJS Review_ on "A Serious Man.")
February 3, 2025 at 12:29 AM
“'Etz chayim hi,' Dude, as the ex used to say.”
Can anyone recommend (scholarly?) readings on Jewish identity in modern America through the lens of Coen Brothers films?
(I already know the special issue of _AJS Review_ on "A Serious Man.")
Can anyone recommend (scholarly?) readings on Jewish identity in modern America through the lens of Coen Brothers films?
(I already know the special issue of _AJS Review_ on "A Serious Man.")