Walter Landauer was a distinguished contributor in the field of genetics, specifically the control of normal and abnormal embryonic development, from 1922 until his death in 1978. After 1945, without neglecting genetic studies, he turned his attention to phenocopies, modifications of development caused by chemical agents which simulate actual genetically controlled deviations of the tail and limbs, which, however, do not breed true. He reported his scientific findings in some 200 papers and oral presentations to international congresses of genetics, developmental biology and poultry science. The period after WW I brought cataclysmic changes to the government of Germany and its economy: abdication of the Kaiser, a new constitution, initiation of the Weimar Republic, adjustment to the terms of the Versailles Treaty, reconstruction of the country's communications, transportation, agricultural economy, and accommodation of the returning soldiers. As a scholar commented, there were continual crises for four years.
   When Walter Landauer was discharged from a two-year stint as hospital orderly with the International Red Cross. He enrolled at once in the University of Heidelberg to pursue studies in genetics, a budding science in 1919, as the inception of a distinguished career as a geneticist. In addition, he engaged in a running commentary on the postwar government, the political parties, revival of militarism, and the ruthless tactics of the judicial system. He defended a Heidelberg colleague who was tormented for convening a no-more-war rally in Heidelberg Town Hall.
   Walter Landauer fearlessly criticized the government and the German people in his "political" papers for tolerating the tendencies that Hitler would eventually exploit. He emigrated from Germany to the United States in 1924.
   The authors focus here on a previously unknown aspect of his career-his "political" papers. The papers, most written while he was a student at Heidelberg in the early 1920s, are collectively a commentary on Germany's post World War I problems: the Weimar government reconstruction of Germany in a period of financial stress and social, economic and political turmoil. He comments freely on the Republic, return to the Monarchy, Imperial and Provincial Nobility, on private organizations designed to influence government decisions, and above all, the ruthless restrictions by the government on civil operations, even political murders.

pages 181 -372 6" x 9" (2000) Paper: $20.00

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Tranactions Volume 56 Part 2 [TR 56(2)] ® ISBN 1-878508-21-0