As we begin the new year, we would like to present a remarkable and often overlooked cornerstone of world literature — a book whose message feels as urgent today as when it was first written.

This month’s featured volume is Menschen im Krieg (Men in War) by Andreas Latzko, a work that stands among the most important anti-war books ever published. Written during Latzko’s recovery from severe trauma sustained at the Isonzo Front, these deeply moving novellas portray the brutality of war and its lasting psychological and moral devastation with exceptional emotional clarity. 

First published anonymously in 1917, this edition quickly became an international success and was translated into numerous languages. Its impact, however, led to harsh consequences for its author: Latzko was punished, and the book was banned — a measure that only underscores the strength and relevance of his pacifist message. Though overshadowed today by Remarque’s later All Quiet on the Western Front, Men in War remains a powerful and haunting testament to the human cost of conflict — and a true discovery for collectors of meaningful literature. 

With this exceptional volume, we take the opportunity to wish you a peaceful and inspiring New Year. May books such as this continue to remind us why hope, compassion, and the pursuit of peace are more necessary than ever.