Geschichte der deutschen Literatur von den Anfängen bis zum Beginn der Neuzeit. Herausgegeben von Joachim Heinzle. Bd. III: Vom späten Mittelalter zum Beginn der Neuzeit, Teil 1: Orientierung durch volkssprachige Schriftlichkeit (1280/90-1380/90). Von Johannes Janota. Tübingen: Max Niemeyer Verlag, 2004. Pp. 541. 19 illustrations. EUR 48.

Regardless of the language, I suspect that translations and literary histories rank among the most difficult projects that literary scholars can set themselves. Perhaps the reason for this is that one is, in both instances, charged with conveying what others have done, with only modest room for one's own interpretation of the material. Yet, literary histories, like translations, must be "redone" from time to time, if for no other reason than to incorporate new research and to reflect new directions in scholarship. There is also a blatantly pragmatic reason for such endeavors: Literary histories are not necessarily in print for an indefinite period, and they are an indispensable resource for students and specialists alike.

Winder McConnell
University of California, Davis