Arno schmidt (1914-1979) was one of the most remarkable writers of the twentieth century. despite much of his work being available in english, his centenary passed nearly unremarked in the united states and england - to the disappointment of those who frequent the mythical literary saloon. in his honor and memory, the evening of 18 january - schmidt's birthday - was devoted to conversation introducing the author and his work - a fictional centennial colloquy entirely in the spirit of the great man himself. biography, an account of his translations and his famous 'radio dialogs', his early fiction, and then the towering zettel's traum ('bottom's dream') and his great final works, as well as his legacy: everything is covered in these pages. arno schmidt: a centennial colloquy is the perfect introduction to this giant of german letters, and his amazing work.