Magnificent Rebels

Magnificent Rebels delves into the lives of a remarkable group of young intellectuals, including poets, novelists, and philosophers, who congregated in Jena between roughly 1794 and 1806.

The book captures their epic quarrels, passionate love affairs, and the intellectual ferment that defined the early Romantic movement.

Wulf argues that this period saw the birth of modern individuality, with these figures exploring radical notions of free will, individual creativity, and liberty.

The book is based on meticulous research from diaries, correspondence, and literary works, bringing to life the personal interactions and intellectual controversies of this influential group.