Thomas Rietzschel

Thomas Rietzschel was born in Dresden in 1951. He worked as a cultural correspondent for the »Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung«. In his book »Die Stunde der Dilettanten. Wie wir uns verschaukeln lassen« (2012; tr. The Age of Dilettantes. How We Let Ourselves Be Fooled), he exposes ignorance and feigned capabilites that often achieve considerable success. Drawing on examples from the world of politics and finance as well as mainstream culture, Rietzschel reveals how deceit and self-deception intertwine in unwholesome ways. His most recent book »Geplünderte Demokratie. Die Geschäfte des politischen Kartells« (2014; tr: Looted Democracy. Bargains of the Political Cartel) concerns the undermining of democracy due to converging party programs, market orientation and opportunism of those in power. Rietzschel lives near Frankfurt.

© internationales literaturfestival berlin

Die Stunde der Dilettanten

Wie wir uns verschaukeln lassen

Paul Zsolnay

Wien, 2012

Geplünderte Demokratie

Die Geschäfte des politischen Kartells

Paul Zsolnay

Wien, 2014