This book describes the fortunes and activities of one of the few specialist publishing houses still in the hands of the same family that established it over 150 years ago and with it gives a portrayal of those members who directed it. In doing so it covers a period of momentous historical events that directly and indirectly shaped the firm's actions and achievements. But this volume tells not only, in word and picture, the story of Springer-Verlag but also, interwoven with it, the story of publishing in Germany over the span of a hundred years. The text, densely packed with carefully researched facts and figures, is illuminated and supplemented by many illustrations whose captions, together with the author's notes, contain a wealth of important and interesting information. A second volume contains the history of the publishing house from 1945 to 1992.

From the Founding of the Company to the Sale of the Bookshop (1842-1858).- Building up the Publishing House and the Beginnings of Specialisation (1858-1877).- Publisher of Books in Engineering and for Public Authorities (1877-1906).- Stormy Growth. World War I (1907-1918).- The Expansion of Scientific Publishing (1919-1932).- Years of Danger (1933-1945).