Brecht : the man and his work / Martin Esslin.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 325-336) and index.

Part one: the man, I. From Augsburg to Berlin (1898-1924) -- II. Berlin (1924-33) -- III. Exile (1933-48) -- IV. East Berlin (1948-56).

Part two: the artist, V. The poet: Brecht's language and its sources -- VI. The Brechtian Theatre — its theory and practice.

Part three: pitfalls of commitment, VII. Brecht and the communists -- VIII. The communists and Brecht.

Part four: the real Brecht, IX. The uses of commitment -- X. Reason versus instinct -- XI. Brecht's world.

Part five: for reference, Section A: A short chronology of Brecht's life -- Section B: A descriptive list of Brecht's works -- Section C: Bibliography -- Section D: Brecht in America.

"This book attempts to be [...] a factual, yet critical, study of Brecht's artistic personality. It is not primarily a biography. [...] Brecht's importance transcends his significance as a dramatist, poet, or amusing personality. He is above all an epitome of his times. Most of the crosscurrents and contradictions, moral and political dilemmas, artistic and literary trends of our time are focused and exemplified in Brecht's life and its vicissitudes. Through his commitment to a political cause, through his participation in the struggles of pre-Hitler Germany, his experience as an exiled writer in Europe and America, and his plunge back in to the drab but fascinating half-light of East Berlin, Brecht was more deeply involved in the conflicts of his age than most of his contemporaries." -- from the introduction.