"I, exchanged for myself, have been present year after year." The various people to whom Günter Grass lends his voice are men and women from all walks of life, old and young, left and right, conservative and progressive. They do not belong to those who make history, but to those who witness history and endure it. In the serious and comical, cheerful and tragic events they recount, the great historical occurrences of the 20th century are reflected: technological achievements and scientific discoveries, athletic and cultural accomplishments, megalomania, persecution and murder, wars and disasters, fanaticism and hopeful new beginnings. "A unique attempt in its diversity to do justice to the torn century." Volker Isfort, Münchner Abendzeitung.