“Conversations with Goethe” offers a rare and intimate look into the mind of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe during the final years of his life. Through the recorded dialogues with his young companion, Johann Eckermann, readers gain insight into Goethe’s thoughts on art, science, philosophy, and everyday life, revealing a more personal and human side of this celebrated genius. This Penguin Classic, newly translated for the first time in 150 years, is a vital and engaging document that stands alongside Boswell’s “Life of Johnson” for its literary significance and enjoyment.

Why You Should Read?

• Offers a direct glimpse into the mind of one of the West’s last universal geniuses.
• Reveals Goethe’s thoughts on a wide range of topics, from art to philosophy.
• Provides a personal and human perspective on a celebrated figure.
• A newly translated classic, comparable to Boswell’s “Life of Johnson” for its importance and enjoyment.

About the Author

Johann Peter Eckermann (1792–1854) was a German poet and author, best known for his invaluable record of conversations with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Eckermann served as Goethe’s secretary and confidant during the last decade of the poet’s life, meticulously documenting their discussions on a vast array of subjects, thereby preserving a unique and intimate portrait of one of literature’s greatest figures.