This succinct book could be the key to a healthy and vital revival of the study of German language, literature and culture - and their intellectual and commercial riches - throughout the world. It describes in blunt terms the current crisis in German studies in the United States, as reflected primarily in the shrinking numbers of German-language students, and proposes reasonable solutions. It should be required reading for faculty members in every German section of foreign language departments and in every German department; and should be on the bookshelf of every graduate student who plans to enter the profession of German studies.

The purpose of the book, written by two Germanists who are deeply committed to the profession, is to provoke debate, and to promote discussion, and to bring about reform.