The book by German writer and art critic Florian Illies presents a captivating kaleidoscope of events from 1913—the last peaceful year before the start of World War I. The author masterfully recreates the atmosphere of Europe on the eve of global turmoil, detailing the lives of outstanding figures in culture, art, and politics of that time. Thomas Mann, Franz Kafka, Pablo Picasso, Sigmund Freud, and many other iconic figures of the early 20th century come to life on the pages of the book. Illies skillfully intertwines their destinies, creating a panoramic portrait of an era full of hopes and premonitions of the coming catastrophe.