German Folklore—A Handbook

Germany is a land of fascinating customs and traditions. Through the work of the Grimms, many of its folk and fairy tales have become widely read around the world. German folklore has also inspired numerous literary, artistic, and musical works. Written especially for high school students and general readers, this volume is an accessible introduction to German folklore.

The volume begins by defining and classifying different types of German folklore. It provides numerous examples of German folkways and presents a wide ranging selection of texts. The book reviews critical and scholarly approaches and discusses the pervasive influence of German folklore on literature and popular culture.

James R. Dow is Professor Emeritus of German at Iowa State University. He has published several books, and his articles have appeared in such journals asJournal of American Folklore, Journal of the Folklore Institute, andInternational Folklore Review.