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6 german books to help you learn the language.
If you’re a regular Babbel Magazine reader, you’ll know that we often discuss the value of supplementing your language lessons with media in that language. Whether you watch TV shows , listen to music or read books , immersing yourself in foreign-language media can really take your language learning to the next level. Our team of language experts hand-picked this list of German books to supplement your studies as you learn German . Let’s dive in!
Das Wunder von Bern
Translated as “The Miracle of Bern,” Das Wunder von Bern tells the story of the incredible upset victory of the West German soccer team in the 1954 World Cup Final in Bern, Switzerland. Written by Christof Siemes, the book is based on a 2003 film of the same title, and it focuses on a soccer-loving 11-year-old boy whose father has recently returned from being held as a prisoner of war in the Soviet Union, throwing their family into disarray.
Das Wunder von Bern is a good pick for beginners, and it’s also available in an “easy language version” that’s even easier to understand if you’re just starting out. In addition to the language, the book can teach you about soccer and the history of post-WWII Germany.
Die Vermessung der Welt
This comedic novel is a fictional biography of two very real historical figures: naturalist Alexander von Humboldt and mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss. The pair sets out to measure the world, in their own eccentric ways. The book was Daniel Kehlmann’s debut novel and was very popular, selling millions of copies worldwide.
Die Vermessung der Welt (“The Measuring of the World”) is for intermediate-level learners — it doesn’t get too in-the-weeds with technical language, but it still uses tenses and vocabulary that beginners may struggle with. Although the novel is fictional, you can learn about some of the real work of these two renowned men.
Emil und die Detektive
Emil und die Detektive (“Emil and the Detectives”) is a classic German children’s book written by Erich Kästner and published in 1929. Set primarily in Berlin, the novel follows a schoolboy named Emil, who gets robbed on a train, and the group of kids who help him track down the thief. It’s been translated into at least 59 languages.
While it’s written for children in relatively easy-to-understand German, our language experts say Emil und die Detektive is best for intermediate learners. Though fictional, the book provides you with a glimpse into life in 1920s Berlin.
Max und Moritz
For those who prefer a lower commitment entry to the German language, Max und Moritz (“Max and Moritz”) might be the best bet for you, as it comes in comic strip form. The illustrated story is about two boys pulling a series of pranks is told in rhyming couplets, with a bit of dark comedy mixed in. The book was written and illustrated by Wilhelm Busch, and it was published in 1865.
The format is more easily digestible than a novel, but it’s still classified for intermediate German learners due to some of the specialized vocabulary used. You can learn a lot of German words from this story, as well as get a taste of German humor.
Russendisko
Written by Berlin’s well-known Russian DJ Wladimir Kaminer, Russendisko (“Russian Disco”) is a collection of short stories about young Jewish Russians living in Berlin after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Published in 2000, the book is equal parts funny and poignant, and it showcases Kaminer’s love for the city.
Russendisko provides a clear advantage for learners: German is not Kaminer’s first language. Thus, it might help to learn German from someone who had to learn it himself. The stories do include a number of colloquial expressions, however, so it’s best for intermediate learners. In addition to language, you can learn about both the immigrant experience in Berlin and the city’s cultural spirit.
Published in 2010, Tshick is a more contemporary German novel, chronicling the adventures of two 14-year-old boys (one referred to as “Tschick” after his last name, Tschichatschow) who set off on a road trip in a stolen car to escape problems at home. The story, written by the late Wolfgang Herrndorf, is funny and moving, exploring the trials of adolescence and the true meaning of friendship.
The book is written in a casual style that is relatively easy to understand. It’s ideal for intermediate learners who are already familiar with some German slang and colloquialisms. For comparison, an English translation of the book was published in 2014 under the title Why We Took The Car .
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8 German Novels For Beginners and Intermediate German Learners
Learning German with textbooks and worksheets only gets you so far. After a while, you need to start putting the pieces together by speaking to people, watching German movies , reading blogs and newspapers or German short stories .
Once you feel comfortable reading shorter pieces, it’s time to progress to book-length reading materials. Today, I’d like to present eight German novels and novellas which are both engaging but still relatively easy to read for beginners and intermediate German learners.
Many of these were also adapted into movies, TV series or radio plays. I’ve linked these and other resources whenever available.
(Not Just) For Kids
First of, let’s take a look at some classic German novels for children and youth which I think may still be interesting for adult readers. Many of these works make do with shorter sentences and a generally more straightforward syntax, so they can be a solid entrypoint into reading full-length books in German.
Timm Thaler oder Das verkaufte Lachen – James Krüss (1962)
Timm Thaler oder Das verkaufte Lachen (Timm Thaler or the sold laughter) is a 1962 children’s novel by German author James Krüss. It tells the story of a boy who trades his laughter to a wealthy Baron in exchange for the ability to win any bet he makes. The popular story was subsequently adapted into a 13-part German children’s television miniseries in 1979, an animated series, movies, and many other adapations.
🔎 Free preview: via mytolino.com
📺 TV series: Youtube
Die unendliche Geschichte – Michael Ende (1984)
The Neverending Story (German: Die unendliche Geschichte) is a fantasy novel by German writer Michael Ende which was later adapted into TV series and films of worldwide acclaim
The novels begins with a lonely boy named Bastian and the strange book that draws him into the mysterious world of Fantastica which is under threat by “The Nothing”. Only a human can save the enchanted kingdom by giving its ruler, the Childlike Empress, a new name. But the journey to her tower is paved with peril, leading past dragons, monster and magical beings. Once Bastian begins his quest, he may never return. As he is drawn deeper into Fantastica, he must find the courage to face increasingly terrifying threats and his own undiscovered thruths.
🔎 Free PDF preview: via buecher.de
🎬 Movie Trailer (1984): YouTube
Momo – Michael Ende (1973)
Another famous novel by Michael Ende, Momo deals with the concept of time and how it is used in modern society. The full title in German translates to “Momo, or the strange story of the time-thieves and the child who brings the stolen time back to the people”. The book is also simply known as Die grauen Männer (The Grey Gentlemen).
Momo is illiterate and cannot count, and she doesn’t know how old she is. She is famous in the neighbourhood because she has the extraordinary ability to listen. Simply by being with people and listening to them, she can help them solve their problems.
🔎 Free ePub preview: via mytolino.com
🎬 Movie Trailer (1986): YouTube
Classic German Novels (And Novellas)
Next up, let’s have a look at some literary classics. The vocabulary and syntax here is obviously more challenging than in the books presented above. These are by no means books for absolute beginners but instead for those beginning their journey reading the great German classics. (If these are too difficult check out alternative editions of these classics in simplified Germna )
Die Verwandlung – “Metamorphosis”, by Franz Kafka
First published in 1915 and considered one of the most important 20th century works of fiction, this German novella by Franz Kafka is still studied in schools and universities worldwide. Contrary to many older German literary classics, Kafka’s prose is relatively accessible for German learners.
🎧 Audiobook: Youtube
vocabulary: 1 , 2 , 3 via Quizlet
Homo Faber. Ein Bericht, by Max Frisch
Published in 1959, this German novel by Swiss author Max Frisch is about a successful engineer called Walter Faber, who prefers facts to feelings, logic to love and empirical data to emotions. He fares quite well with this rational approach to life until he’s faced with a chain of stupefying coincidences that force him to reevaluate his entire worldview.
Written in modern German from a first-person perspective, this novel is a great way to start can be a good starting point for German students interested in full-length reading material which is neither too challenging nor too shallow. Homo Faber is considered a modern German classic and was also made into a movie by German director Volker Schlöndorff starring Sam Shepard.
vocabulary: reading comprehension quiz , flashcards via Quizlet
Die Schachnovelle – “The Royal Game”, by Stefan Zweig
This novella, written between 1938 and 1941 in Brazilian exile, is Stefan Zweig’s last and most famous work. At its heart is the confrontation of a Gestapo prisoner with the psychological ramifications of his situation on the background of a passenger steamer full of affluent travelers and their superficial attitude.
The protagonist, Dr B, put in solitary confinement by the Nazis obsesses about chess in order to maintain his sanity. He plays against himself and is developing a split personality which leads to a breakdown. Now officially declared “insane”, he’s released, but when he finds himself travelling on a passenger steamer together with the world chess champion Czentovic, he’s forced to stare into the abyss once again.
This novella is suitable for German learners due to its brevity, basic vocabulary and sentence structures.
vocabulary: text comprehension quiz
Der Richter und sein Henker – “The Judge and His Hangman”, by Friedrich Dürrenmatt
Originally published in a Swiss weekly journal as a serial novel between 1950 and 1951, this mystery novel by Friedrich Dürrenmatt is a classical detective story with a crime at its center and a search for the perpetrator.
This German novel is required reading in many German schools, and it’s also appropriate for intermediate German learners looking for suitable reading material, due to its relatively straightforward plot and plain language.
vocabulary: text comprehension quiz
Das Parfum. Die Geschichte eines Mörders – “Perfume: The Story of a Murderer”, by Patrick Süskind
This 1985 historical/mystery/coming-of-age novel by German author Patrick Süskind is about a murderer with a supernatural sense of smell. Born with no body scent in 18th-century Paris, protagonist Baptiste Grenouille is stalking and killing virgins, hunting for the “perfect scent”.
Translated into 48 languages and sold more than 20 million times, Das Parfum is one of the most sucessfull German novels of the 20th century.
While Süskinds narrative style may sometimes be a bit ornate, this novel can be a good way for German learners to expand their vocabulary without sentence structure and plot being too difficult too follow.
vocabulary: flashcards via Quizlet
How To Get Free German Novels
All of the above suggestions are considered literary classics. If you’re looking for more contemporary German novels, take a look at this article and find out how to download tons of German novels for free onto your tablet, ereader, smartphone or desktop.
Combine these free German ebooks with interactive dictionaries on Android or iOS and you’ll learn tons of new words in no time! Who needs textbooks, anyway?
Curious about learning German with stories?
Find out why it works, where to start and how to master this time-tested method, with our free 5-day email course . You can unsubscribe anytime.
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Best German novels for beginner German learners
Reading is one of the best ways to learn a language so here's a list of the best German novels for beginners to read.
Learning languages comes in different stages, but reading is one of the best ways to expand your vocabulary and learn idiomatic language. You can carry a book with you and read anytime, anywhere, so to give you a head start with finding authors and books you’ll love, here are some of the best German novels for beginner German learners!
Furthermore if you read lots, or simply want to read lots easily, getting a Kindle subscription could revolutionise your learning! And if you want to bring your books with you wherever you go, getting a Kindle is perfect (or this is a more general, cheaper option).
Die Leiden des jungen Werthers - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
‘The sorrows of young Werther’ is an all-time German classic. The tragic love story of Werther is a must-read for anyone learning German and is in very clear, easy to read German.
The Inspector Barlach Mysteries - Friedrich Dürrenmatt
If you like detective novels, you must read the Inspector Barlach Mysteries! Der Richter und sein Henker (The judge and his hangman) and Der Verdacht (Suspicion) are witty, suspenseful and will keep you up at night until you get to the end!
Das doppelte Lottchen - Erich Kästner
This is a heartwarming book about separated twins trying to reunite their families and definitely worth the read. It’s also the basis for the Parent Trap films and especially good for younger readers.
Grimms’ fairy tales - the Grimm Brothers
The Grimm Brothers wrote hundreds of these fairy tales and they’re perfect for learning German. The most popular of these have stood the test of time, including Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White, Rumpelstiltskin as well as many more.
Die Räuber - Friedrich Schiller
The Robbers is actually a play by Friedrich Schiller and launched him into stardom at the beginning of his career. It’s easy to read and full of thought-provoking ideas and dialogue, making it ideal for a German student!
Unvollendete Geschichte - Volker Braun
Volker Braun is not the most famous author, despite writing some amazing novels such as ‘Unfinished History’. This story of an East German girl struggling with her family is a powerful criticism of socialism, making this also an ideal book for anyone studying German post-war history.
This list covers just some of the many great German works of literature and should all be approachable for beginner Germanists, though make sure you have a dictionary to hand! Reading is massively beneficial when learning a language, so if you enjoyed some of these books, be sure to read other books by the same author (the Grimm Fairy Tales especially will go on forever!). One really useful tip is to get a dual-language book, where the English translation faces opposite the original, helping you understand difficult words or phrases.
Did you like this list? Did we miss anything? Comment your favorite German books below. Or if you’re tired of reading, check out the best German films and TV shows you can watch for more immersion! Or better still, schedule a Lex and put it all to practice!
After that check out our Book Search and see what your fellow learners are reading and share your own recommendations!
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Learning German? Here Are 10 Books I Recommend You Own
- Read time 10 mins
Need books to learn or improve your German?
Combined with a good German course or app , obtaining the best books can definitely help you improve your German grammar and vocab.
The real challenge is deciding which books are best for your learning style since there are so many.
Below are 10 excellent books that will help you learn German .
If I’ve missed anything vital, let me know below.
UPDATE: A lot of people ask for our best online German course recommendation. Here it is for those interested:
Best books for learning German
If you’re the kind who wants to learn German on their own, without assistance from teachers or classmates, using a book may be the best approach.
After all, people have been using books to learn foreign languages for centuries, and with accompanying audio recordings it’s become easier to pick up languages without ever setting foot in a classroom.
In this list, I’ll go over some of the best books to learn German I’ve come across.
If you already know some German and just want to brush up your skills a bit, I’ve also included four examples of accessible German-language fiction at the end.
For absolute beginners, reading may not always be the best starting point. In that case, I recommend you check out some German YouTube channels to get a handle on how German sounds before picking up a book.
Let’s begin.
🇩🇪 The “Everything” Learning German Book
The first entry, the “Everything” Learning German Book , has a pretty interesting take on learning German, emphasizing the similarities between it and English rather than its differences.
I really like how the course tries to take the foreignness out of learning a foreign language and shows you that German isn’t all that hard to learn .
It does this in several ways: for starters, it gives an overview of the development of both languages, from their common Germanic origins to the Norman invasion of England and beyond.
We really like this introduction, and we wish more language courses would do this; it’s nice to track how a language developed.
However, it’s not just a crash course in linguistics: as a course, the “Everything” Learning German Book focuses strongly on speaking German right away, using the words that are the same across both languages as anchors.
I really like this approach a lot as it gets you talking, which in my mind is the best way to truly learn a language. Even if you’re just saying hi in German , you’re making progress.
Of course, the downside to this approach is that it requires quite some self-confidence to get started, but getting speaking over with from the get-go is an effective way to combat any jitters.
🇩🇪 German Made Simple
German Made Simple takes a very different tack and offers an approach not all that different from that which most of you will know from secondary school.
Expect themed chapters, each of which offers some dialogues and a vocabulary list. The dialogue starts simple, then as you progress it gets more and more complicated.
I’m not a huge fan of this approach, mainly because most books that use it will skip details that don’t fit into themes too neatly.
In this case, though, the level of detail is impressive and the buildup in learning is gradual enough to make it easy to grasp, while fast enough to keep things interesting.
If you want a school-style book tailored for solo learners, German Made Simple is definitely worth checking out, though having a teacher to help you will make it a little easier to use.
🇩🇪 German For Dummies
My next suggestion, German for Dummies , is a mix of the previous two entries, offering practical themes and combining them with a more old-school grammar-heavy system.
The result is a book that’s part easy-going, and part very strict, a combination that may not sound like it would work, but is actually pretty effective and fun.
That said, though, it does at times devolve into some pretty heavy jargon, so I’m not entirely sure if it’s suitable for everybody, let alone the dummies from the title.
I have a feeling it’s best suited for people that, like me, enjoy the grammar heavy approach, but want something a little more light-hearted than our next three entries, which can get pretty serious.
🇩🇪 German Grammar For Beginners
We’ll kick off with German Grammar for Beginners , which makes no bones about how it will teach you German.
Each chapter has a grammatical issue as its subject, it makes you listen to a tape, read some text and then has you complete some assignments before moving on to the next chapter.
It’s extremely straightforward and punchy and it’s perfect for anybody that just wants to get the grammar down and banks on figuring out how to actually talk to people later.
That seems to be its weakness to a certain extent, though, as it moves into some pretty complicated stuff rather quickly.
Doing so in writing is a piece of cake, but applying these lessons could turn out to be a lot tougher than you think.
However, as a book to brush up on your German, German Grammar for Beginners definitely bears looking into.
🇩🇪 Speak German In 90 Days
Another solid option if you like this approach is Speak German in 90 Days , which claims to have you, well, speaking German in 90 days.
Of course, this assumes that you do one of its 90 lessons each and every day and looking at some of the subjects discussed you’d have to have the discipline of a monk to do so.
The buildup of the chapters makes sense, but only if you already speak German: for example, you go pretty deep into how German noun cases work before getting to verbs.
I prefer to use learning methods that have you completing goals as you go — which is very motivating for me and I have a feeling most other people, too — instead of having you do a ton of coursework and only seeing at the end all you’ve achieved.
Still, for the right person setting a deadline of a certain number of days is the perfect motivator and since Speak German in 90 Days offers some excellent instruction, it may be worth checking out.
🇩🇪 Hammer’s German Grammar And Usage
The final grammar-heavy entry is German Grammar and Usage from Hammer Publishing. It’s about as heavy as a mallet, and hits like one, too.
It’s the most no-nonsense of all our entries, and should really be used more as a reference than as a complete course.
However, if you like whichever other course you’re using, but wish it would offer more insight into how German grammar works, then this book is perfect.
Each facet of German grammar is explained in detail; though it does get into the weeds a little bit here and there, you never shut this book without having become a little wiser.
I really like it, and recommend it both as a reference and, for the truly brave among you, maybe even as a course in its own right.
🇩🇪 Learn German With Stories
So far the actual courses, but what about books that can help you with reading German and maybe even get a better grasp of how it’s spoken?
There are plenty of excellent options and I’ve picked four to get you started. First up is Learn German with Stories , which is a series of books featuring several short stories each in simple German.
If you’re a more experienced language learner, you know there’s an issue you almost can’t avoid when you want to start reading: the books with more mature content are too complicated, still, while the ones you can handle are aimed at kids.
The Learn German with Stories series gets around this issue, offering mature subjects in simple German, much like some of the best German-learning podcasts .
For example, in the series’ first book, Cafe in Berlin , one story focuses on the daily woes of a young man just arrived in Germany coming to grips with the culture and language.
I really like this series and recommend it to anybody that wants to start reading more German even if they’re still learning the language.
🇩🇪 Emil Und Die Detektive
If you’re a little more knowledgeable and confident, you may want to start tackling actual German literature.
A great place to start is 1929’s Emil und die Detektive by Erich Kästner, one of Germany’s greatest writers and poets.
One of the great things about Kästner — and the reason I like him so much — is that he manages to write excellent top-shelf literature without using complicated language.
Emil und die Detektive is a great example of this, though technically a book aimed at kids (I have a feeling it would be classified as young adult if it came out now), its themes are mature enough to be read by adults and the story is entertaining at any age.
In short, it’s about Emil, a young boy from outside the city who comes to Berlin, gets robbed and then gathers a crew of street kids to help him track down the thief.
It’s a great journey through the Berlin of the 1920s and I absolutely love the story ever since I got the book as a young teen from a family member.
The language is uncomplicated, though a little dated in places, but if you’re at a reasonable level you should be able to handle it just fine.
Staying in the 20s theme, I’d like to do something unconventional and recommend a comic book series called Berlin .
Though originally in English, it’s been translated to German, which is no wonder since it’s about Germany during the Weimar Republic.
The story follows a journalist and an art student as they go through life as German democracy falls apart around them.
It’s an extremely interesting — and relevant — story, told extremely well and I figure it’s just the ticket for German learners who like comic books.
Even if you’re not into comics, Berlin is good enough you may want to make an exception, especially since the translator did an excellent job of keeping the language simple.
🇩🇪 Die Unendliche Geschichte
We’ll finish our list with a book that never ends, die Unendliche Geschichte , or The Neverending Story .
Chances are, you’re already familiar with the story because of the hit films, which came out in 1984 and 1990, respectively.
However, the writer of the original book, Michael Ende, has trashed both films, and once you’ve read his work you’ll understand why.
Overall, the book is fairly easy to read, though it’s definitely a step up from Emil und die Detektive , but the story is great, so you’ll be more than motivated to make it through.
If you liked the films, but are curious about the real The Neverending Story , then why not read it in the original German?
Though these books barely scratch the surface of all that’s available to learn German , hopefully my picks will help you either get started.
Of course, if you’re already a little further along, reading actual books should help you a little more. Though the four I selected are barely the tip of the iceberg that is German literature, they’re a good place to start.
Have fun learning German, and leave a comment if you have any questions.
Any German books or resources I should add here?
Comment below!
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The 5 Best German Grammar Books
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Learning German grammar can be difficult and a good textbook can help you with the fundamentals. With the right references to study, you can learn proper German grammar and increase your fluency in the language.
While you do have many options available, these are among the best German grammar books you can find today. They are technical and thorough in their explanations but also share the information in a way that any German language student can understand.
How to Get the Most Out of Learning German
The material you study from really does matter whenever you're learning a language on your own. You need to enjoy the learning process and that should be strongly supported by a well structured and carefully chosen grammar book or resource. We all want to understand and when we don't, it's frustrating. This can severely limit your ability and desire to learn German.
Make sure you get the right material and the right tutor or online course that provides you with a good learning experience. At the same time, you also want one that leads to visible progress. If you're not experiencing either of those things, it's time to rethink your strategy for learning.
Books and Programs to Avoid
We do not recommend a book that is typically used in language classrooms. Those books are very thin when it comes to grammar explanations and, in some cases, they even explain it in German, which does nothing for an English-speaker's comprehension. These are made for group and partner work but not for self-learners.
Online courses like Duolingo, Babbel, Rosetta Stone, or Busuu are good programs from a technical point of view. As a grammar resource, however, they will let you down. Instead, it's best to view them as games and add-ons to your other efforts.
You can also save your money when it comes to books like "501 German verbs." German conjugations —changing verbs according to person, mood, or tense—is relatively regular or rather easy to learn and to predict once you do learn it. Those books usually collect dust very soon after they're purchased.
Hammer's German Grammar and Usage by Martin Durrell
Many German students have found Hammer's German Grammar and Usage to be a very valuable resource. It is one of the most comprehensive books you'll find and perfect for anyone who's serious about speaking proper German, no matter your level.
This book has been revised many times over the years. Each edition is updated with the latest German words, including many that have been adapted from English. It's easy to read and understand and will explain everything you need to know about the German grammar's finer details.
Schaum's Outline of German Grammar by Elke Gschossmann-Hendershot & Lois Feuerle
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Mentioned almost as often as the Hammer's , Schaum's Outline of German Grammar is another excellent resource for successfully learning German. It's an outstanding textbook for fast learning and it supplements almost any German course.
This book gets a couple bonus points for the additional resources it offers. It includes audio files you can download to practice pronunciation and includes over 400 exercises with answer keys so you can test your skills on your own. This can really be valuable in making sure you fully comprehend a lesson and is excellent for self-learners.
Lehr- Und Ubungsbuch Der Deutschen Grammatik
If you're dedicated to mastering German, this is the book you need. It's been a reliable resource for German teachers and native English speakers living in German-speaking countries for years.
Consider this one essential for the advanced student as it will dive deeply into all the grammar details other books leave out. Plus, the version that's written in German will give you the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the language, which can really help with proficiency.
The one catch is that you have to purchase the answer key separately or ensure the version you buy comes with it. Without it, you won't be able to check your work.
Schubert-Verlag-Online
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You still need to practice what you've learned, as practicing is the only way you will truly see progress when studying any language and German is no exception.
When you're comfortable with German grammar and want to build off what you learned, turn to a website such as the Schubert-Verlag.
The homepage has many useful exercises sorted according to the language level. You can also explore specific grammatical topics such as "Adjektiv" or "Relativ." Since the topics are listed in German, you need to know the German name of the topic you are planning to practice. Yet, you could also just work your way through that page, taking on one lesson at a time.
Großes Übungsbuch Deutsch
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If you want to practice your German grammar and prefer to have a book, this one by the renowned German publisher, Hueber, is an excellent choice.
It's better for practicing your German grammar than for learning it. The book has over 500 exercises that will give you plenty of practice time.
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- Ways To Improve Your German
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You will not regret picking up this gripping yet grotesque read. SEE ALSO: 10 German films you have to watch before you die. 6. Austerlitz by W.G. Sebald (2001) W.G. Sebald's fourth and final ...
Many books have been written about the depressions and debaucheries of the Weimar demi-monde, among them Vicki Baum's Grand Hotel, Christopher Isherwood's Goodbye to Berlin and Ernst Haffner's...
Amazon Best Sellers: Best German Language Instruction Best Sellers in German Language Instruction #1 German Grammar for Beginners Textbook + Workbook Included: Supercharge Your German with Essential Lessons and Exercises (Learn German for Beginners) My Daily German 282 Paperback 3 offers from $14.95 #2 German All-in-One For Dummies Wendy Foster
Emil und die Detektive. Emil und die Detektive ("Emil and the Detectives") is a classic German children's book written by Erich Kästner and published in 1929. Set primarily in Berlin, the novel follows a schoolboy named Emil, who gets robbed on a train, and the group of kids who help him track down the thief. It's been translated into ...
6 Best Books to Learn German: Reading for Ravenous Language Learners 1. "The Everything Learning German Book: Speak, Write and Understand Basic German in No Time" by Ed Swick "The Everything Learning German Book" is for the basic German learner who wants to fluently ask about the beer selection at Oktoberfest.
The Neverending Story (German: Die unendliche Geschichte) is a fantasy novel by German writer Michael Ende which was later adapted into TV series and films of worldwide acclaim The novels begins with a lonely boy named Bastian and the strange book that draws him into the mysterious world of Fantastica which is under threat by "The Nothing".
The Good German by Joseph Kanon | Goodreads Jump to ratings and reviews Want to read Kindle $12.99 Rate this book The Good German Joseph Kanon 3.77 6,499 ratings630 reviews With World War II finally ending, Jake Geismar, former Berlin correspondent for CBS, has wangled one of the coveted press slots for the Potsdam Conference.
Read on to discover 14 easy German books—ranging from classic children's tales to easier adult books—that will help make your German wunderbar. Contents 1. "Emil und die Detektive" 2. "Tintenherz" 3. "Die unendliche Geschichte" 4. "Schachnovelle" 5. "Der Schwarm" 6. "Mario und der Zauberer" 7. "Krücke" 8. "Bergkristall" 9. "Münchhausens Abenteuer"
Paperback - June 3, 2002. Set in Berlin just after the end of World War II, Joseph Kanon's The Good German, now a major motion picture, is a brilliant thriller about the end of one war and the beginning of another, by the bestselling author of Los Alamos. Berlin, 1945. Hitler has been defeated, and Berlin is divided into zones of occupation.
The Good German: A Novel. Paperback - International Edition, September 8, 2020. In November 1939, a German anti-fascist named Georg Elser came as close to assassinating Adolf Hitler as anyone ever had. In this gripping novel of alternate history, he doesn't just come close—he succeeds.
Best German Children Literature 246 books — 201 voters WW2: The Resistance - Fiction & Non-Fiction 259 books — 160 voters German Classics 204 books — 133 voters Vienna/Wien 236 books — 121 voters Unsere Besten - Das große Lesen: Das Lieblingsbuch der Deutschen 124 books — 121 voters German Fantasy Novels/ Deutsche Fantasy Romane
*This article contains spoilers for the book All Quiet on the Western Front, and the latest film version Mon 27 Feb 2023 05.00 EST Last modified on Mon 27 Feb 2023 14.53 EST
This strange story of time-thieves and the child who brought stolen time back to the people is an excellent (and very entertaining!) read for German language students. 5. "Die Verwandlung" Also known as "Metamorphosis" this book is a literary classic from Franz Kafka.
The most popular of these have stood the test of time, including Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White, Rumpelstiltskin as well as many more. Die Räuber - Friedrich Schiller The Robbers is actually a play by Friedrich Schiller and launched him into stardom at the beginning of his career.
Below are 10 excellent books that will help you learn German. If I've missed anything vital, let me know below. UPDATE: A lot of people ask for our best online German course recommendation. Here it is for those interested: See our top German course Best books for learning German
Online courses like Duolingo, Babbel, Rosetta Stone, or Busuu are good programs from a technical point of view. As a grammar resource, however, they will let you down. Instead, it's best to view them as games and add-ons to your other efforts. You can also save your money when it comes to books like "501 German verbs."
882 books — 917 voters. Best German Authors. 560 books — 741 voters. WWI—The Great War (Historical Fiction) 412 books — 366 voters. World War II Books Everyone Should Read At Least Once. 332 books — 266 voters. Royal Fiction. 474 books — 231 voters.
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