One of a series of works aimed at presenting contemporary critical opinion on major authors, this collection contains essays by Thomas Mann, Andre Gide, Martin Buber, Ernst Robert Curtius, Oskar Seidlin, Hans Mayer, G. W. Field, Jeffrey Sammons, and the editor, Theodore Ziolkowski--all dealing with the biography and literary work of Hermann Hesse. Designed for use by both literary critics and secondary and college teachers of English, this work would also be of value to undergraduate and graduate students of literature. Topics covered include Hesse's role in modern literature; his impact on the contemporary consciousness; his insight into the German character; his concern for the human spirit; his themes, techniques, and imagery; and the metaphysical anxiety underlying his works. A chronology of important dates in Hesse's life, a brief set of biographical notes on the contributors to this collection, and a 19-item selected bibliography of books, and chapters in books, on Hesse complete the volume. (DD)