Walking the Footsteps of a Forgotten Revolution: Friedrich Hecker's Insurrection of 1848

Walking the Footsteps of a Forgotten Revolution details the bold and audacious insurrection in the opening phase of the German Revolution of 1848-1849. Friedrich Hecker, the most gifted young politician of his day, attempted to lead a group of rebels through Southwest Germany in hopes of fomenting a full-fledged revolution. The forces in play during the ten-day insurrection lay bare the larger historical factors that would plague German aspirations for freedom and democracy for the next hundred years. Steven Fuller's engaged theory beautifully unfolds as he walks the actual two-hundred-mile route of the insurrection, simulating the conflict in real-time and in the real landscape of the rebellion. Skillfully combining elements of pure historical narrative and high theory, with the best aspects of travel literature, the author creates an engaging and readable story filled with drama and a cast of colorful characters; while at the same time, using the events of one hundred seventy-five years ago to weave in today's issues of political engagement and violent insurrection.

Steven Nyole Fuller, Associate Professor of German Language and Literature, Portland State University, Oregon, USA.