Die Bibliothek Bertolt Brechts

A catalog of Brecht's estate library, which is kept in his last apartment at Chausseestrasse 125 in Berlin, has long been considered a desideratum of research. The Bertolt Brecht Archive now presents an annotated bibliography of all the titles in this library. The catalog reveals which books Brecht owned, particularly in his later years: more than 1,500 of the over 4,200 volumes are categorized under literature. Editions of plays demonstrate intentions and craftsmanship in dealing with foreign texts. The commentary for each volume provides insights into ownership notes, dedications, markings, entries, and inserts. Documentations and monographs on history, natural sciences, or the arts offer a glimpse into Brecht's working methods and his approach to sources. Annotations and marginal notes reflect the reader Brecht's agreements and disagreements. Dedication copies attest to personal relationships.