1913

In '1913: The Year Before the Storm', Florian Illies provides a month-by-month account of the year 1913, detailing the vibrant cultural landscape and significant political events that preceded the First World War. The book features accounts of notable figures such as Marcel Proust, Igor Stravinsky, Kazimir Malevich, Louis Armstrong, Charlie Chaplin, and Coco Chanel, among others.

Illies captures the spirit of creative freedom, daring experiments, and breakthroughs in culture, science, and technology, while also highlighting the ominous signs of impending disaster.

The narrative is enriched with historical facts, photos, and documentary artifacts, making it a charming and riveting tale of a world on the brink of change.