Literary History for Everyone: Reich-Ranicki's best, smartest, and sharpest essays on German literature since 1945. Marcel Reich-Ranicki was the most successful, influential, and thus also the most controversial literary critic for half a century. No one has shaped the literary life of the post-war period into the 21st century like he did - as a critic in Group 47, in the cultural sections of influential newspapers, and with ever-growing popularity on television with his legendary Literary Quartet. Following his 2014 publication on the history of German literature since the Middle Ages, this volume focuses entirely on the period that was contemporary for both him and his audience: German literature since 1945. The book, edited by Thomas Anz, is a first-time compilation of the most important and best publications by Reich-Ranicki.