Anti-Journalist: Karl Kraus and Jewish Self-Fashioning in Fin-de-Si?cle Europe

In Vienna at the turn of the century, Karl Kraus created a new style of media criticism that was both admired and controversial. Paul Reitter's study of Krauss's writings shows that his criticisms were not anti-Semitic but rather an innovative critique of mainstream German-Jewish strategies for assimilation. Krauss's project was admired by three of the most daring German-Jewish authors, Kafka, Scholem, and Benjamin, and had a significant influence on their own notions of cultural authenticity.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 256 pages
\n Publication date: 09 November 2020
\n Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
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In the vibrant city of Vienna at the turn of the century, Karl Kraus emerged as a pioneering figure in media criticism, crafting a bold and innovative style that captivated both admirers and critics alike. His razor-sharp satires, aimed primarily at his fellow Jewish journalists, earned him a reputation as the quintessential self-hating Jew. However, Paul Reitter's groundbreaking book, The Anti-Journalist, challenges this perception by unveiling the profound complexities and nuances of Krauss's critiques. Through meticulous analysis, Reitter demonstrates how Krauss's criticisms formed the core of a radical model of German-Jewish self-fashioning, evolving in sync with his modernist journalistic approach.

Reitter's study contextualizes Krauss's writings within the rich tapestry of fin-de-siècle German-Jewish intellectual society. He argues that rather than being driven by anti-Semitism, Krauss's attacks constituted a groundbreaking critique of mainstream German-Jewish strategies for assimilation. By examining the works of three daring German-Jewish authors—Kafka, Scholem, and Benjamin—Reitter reveals their profound admiration for Krauss's project and showcases how his ideas influenced their own notions of cultural authenticity.

The Anti-Journalist is a captivating blend of a fresh interpretation of a fascinating modernist oeuvre and a deep exploration of a significant chapter in the history of German-Jewish thought about identity. It delves into the complex interplay between language, culture, and self-definition, offering a nuanced and thought-provoking perspective on the challenges and complexities faced by Jewish individuals in the 20th century. Through its meticulous scholarship and engaging prose, The Anti-Journalist sheds new light on the legacy of Karl Kraus and his profound impact on the world of media criticism and intellectual discourse.

\n Weight: 416g\n
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 19 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780226754574\n \n