Not songs from an ivory tower, but a vivid portrait of life. Initially started only for his grandchildren, Albrecht Schöne has written a moving and impressive memoir. From his origins and the influence of a conservative Protestant upbringing, through his youth in the Nazi state, the war, and his studies in the devastated post-war Germany, a life story unfolds where lived history and scholarly reflection come together like text and commentary. The narrative follows the milestones of a successful academic career, with critical insights into the student revolts after '68 and the evolution of the German university. Personal questions and scholarly answers are always intertwined with the author's perspectives. The result is a multifaceted picture of history and stories from the years you know, many of which readers can relate to in their own way, saying they were there. Few scholars have shaped the reputation of German studies as a German discipline at universities and around the world like Albrecht Schöne has. His moving memoir also tells of this.