Review of: Claudia Bruns: Politik des Eros. Der Männerbund in Wissenschaft, Politik und Jugendkultur (1880–1934). Köln u.a.: Böhlau Verlag 2008.

Abstract

In her dissertation, Claudia Bruns analyses Blüher’s concept of man, masculinity, and male-male-relationships with specific attention to that which is excluded, thus going against its standard reception. She places the concept of the male society central to the examination and it becomes the pivot around which the study is created. She does so by consulting the theories of Blüher as a paradigmatic example. This is a very astute and advantageous choice for many reasons. To date the ideologically multilayered content of Blüher’s actual and possible discussions has barely been inserted into discourse in history and the social sciences. Additionally, a comprehensive catalogue of Blüher’s writings has yet to be produced, which impedes its reception. This has now thankfully been rectified in the form of an appendix to this study.