Volume 1 of the collected works, edited by J. H. Reid, gathers Heinrich Böll's early works from 1936 to 1945.

The numerous previously unpublished poems and short stories demonstrate the author's early desire to become a writer and correspond with the "Letters from the War." Böll's relationship with family and state, church and war can already be recognized here.

Volume 1 (1936–1945) includes, among others: The Inconsistencies of Christoff Sanktjörg, The Burning Ones, N.S. Credo, Poems, The Unremarkable, Summer Episode, Father Georgi, Annette, On the Edge of the Church, Commentary.

All volumes of the Cologne edition.