The letters by the German painter Franz Marc (1880-1916) were written to his wife Maria from the beginning of World War I (August 1914) to the moment of his death in battle on March 4, 1916. While they contain lively descriptions of his activities behind the front line, they are mainly his personal thoughts on many subjects, such as literature, art, and religion. He discusses authors such as Tolstoy and gives beautiful descriptions of both the natural surroundings of Alsace and its cities. The letters were first published by Marc's wife in 1920. A new edition was prepared in 1982 by Professors Lankheit and Steffen. The edition here is translated by Liselotte Dieckmann.

The Author: Franz Marc (1880-1916) was a famous German painter, member of the «Blue Rider,» a group of young painters such as Paul Klee, Kandinsky, and August Macke. They rebelled against the French Impressionists and were the first Expressionists. Marc lived with his wife in upper Bavaria and joined the army at the beginning of World War I. The translator: Liselotte Dieckmann, is Professor Emerita at Washington University in St. Louis. She was born and educated in Germany, came to the United States in 1938, and is now an American citizen. Her areas of specialty are German and Comparative Literature.