The World of Yesterday

The World of Yesterday by Stefan Zweig

Stefan Zweig was a Jewish Austrian writer who lived through World War I and World War II. He was born in the late 1800s and saw great improvements in society. The Victorian prudishness fell away, giving people greater freedom. The order and technology allowed for predictable, comfortable life. It felt like society was only getting better. People were gaining more freedoms and creature comforts. Poverty and depravity were on their way out. The summer of 1914 started out beautifully. Then Franz Ferdinand was assassinated. Alas, he wasn't very popular, so this could lead to a better heir. It caused a bit of a spurt, but didn't seem like a big impact. Then war was declared. Everyone was eager to go, expecting to be back by Christmas. Then the war dragged on. Morale went down. After the war, Austria was carved up. The people wanted to have their imperial borders, or just be part of Germany. Alas, they didn't get a say and were forced to be an independent German state. Conditions were not great. Inflation was out of control. Germans would come across the border to take advantage of low prices. (This would latter change as Germany had high inflation.)

The inflation lead to significant reorganization in society in both Germany and Austria. Long term wealth and debt both evaporated. Conditions were ripe for the growth of fascism and the rise of Hitler. Anti-semitism rose up. The natural progression of society was placed in reverse.

The book is Zweig's autobiography. The world events just happened to occur in his life. The first part covers his youth. He had little positive to say about the school system. There was a lot of tedious "learning" and little true intellectual engagement. Both the students and teachers were eager for the school day to learn. Alas, little has improved in the education system of the day. He learned to get true education from Vienna. There were many chances to see musical premiers, read books and truly learn. 

He traveled extensively, primarily throughout Europe. He met many literary figures, from Joyce to Richard Strauss (with whom he composed an opera). As a Jew, the gradual rise of anti-semitism led him to leave Austria permanently. He was a "person without a state" in England. However, he was also an enemy of the state once Austria declared war on Britain. There is a tone of loss at the end. He loved his Austria, but was distraught be the end of society. 

Despite living a century ago, the situation of his life is distraughtingly similar to today. The education system has not significantly changed. The general attitudes of society are similar. There is a feeling that progress is improving society, yet concerns and underlying conflict. There is comfort in the societal structure. Minor inflation during the Covid-19 pandemic caused issues. Would major inflation lead to another World War?