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Our knowledge is in upheaval, our education system is in crisis, and the call for a canon is growing louder. This handbook now offers the first reorientation regarding the core elements of our culture. In the first part, "Knowledge," Dietrich Schwanitz presents everything one needs to know in order to acquire citizenship in the land of education: the history of Europe as a grand narrative, the language of form and the great works of literature, the history of art and music, the great philosophers, and the scientific theories, ideologies, and opinion markets. In the second part, "Skills," Schwanitz guides the reader through the house of language, the world of books and writing, and offers inspiring geography. The author examines cultural knowledge through the question: What does it contribute to our self-understanding? How did it come to be that modern society, the state, science, democracy, and administration emerged in Europe and not elsewhere? Why is it important to count figures like Don Quixote, Hamlet, Faust, Robinson, Dr. Jekyll, and Mr. Hyde among one's acquaintances? What did Martin Heidegger say that we did not already know? A timeline, informative summaries of books that have changed the world, tips for further reading, and a detailed index of names enhance the usability of this handbook.