Between 1927 and 1933, Walter Benjamin wrote and narrated
nearly one hundred scripts for German radio. Of that collection,
thought to be lost until 1960, about eighty pieces have survived, although, unfortunately, no
sound recordings of the broadcasts have been preserved.
Nothing that connects with popular sensibility escapes Benjamin’s interest. With a unique
blend of encyclopedic knowledge, creativity, and critical spirit, he tackles a wide range
of subjects in these scripts, including the persecution of witches in medieval Europe, the
earthquake that destroyed Lisbon in 1755, the mysterious figure of Kaspar Hauser, and the
peculiar characteristics of the inhabitants of Berlin.
Accompanied by Judy Kaufmann’s illustrations, this carefully curated selection of writings
offers an ideal gateway into the work of this great German intellectual. A book that, through
illustrations, celebrates the voice and thought of Walter Benjamin.