Clayton Koelb's masterful translation improves upon its predecessors in two ways: it renders Mann into American (not British) English, and it remains true to Mann's original text without sacrificing fluency. For American readers, this is the translation of choice. "Backgrounds and Contexts" includes Mann's working notes, which allow students to observe the author's creative process. The notes are available here for the first time in English. Illuminating selections from Mann's essays and letters are also reprinted, as are period maps of Munich, Venice, and the Lido. "Criticism" includes six essays by Andre von Gronicka, Manfred Dierks, T. J. Reed, Dorrit Cohn, David Luke, and Robert Tobin sure to stimulate classroom discussion. A Chronology and Selected Bibliography are also included.