Werner Herzog is a German author and filmmaker known for his works in literary fiction, history, memoir, and biography. He has published over a dozen books, including "Conquest of the Useless" and "Of Walking In Ice," which blend personal reflection with vivid storytelling. His first book in decades, "The Twilight World," marks a return to literary prose after a prolific career in cinema. Herzog's writing often mirrors the themes of his films, exploring human ambition, isolation, and the sublime.
A central figure in the German New Wave movement, Herzog has directed more than fifty feature and documentary films, including critically acclaimed works such as "Aguirre, The Wrath of God," "Fitzcarraldo," and "Grizzly Man." His narratives frequently focus on individuals pursuing extraordinary or impossible dreams, a motif that extends to his written works. Beyond filmmaking, Herzog has directed operas and contributed to the broader cultural landscape through his distinctive voice and philosophical depth.
Standalone Novels
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Title
Year
Goodreads
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1
The Twilight World
2022
Non-Fiction Books
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Title
Year
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1
Heart of Glass (With: Alan Greenberg, Herbert Achternbusch)
1976
2
Of Walking in Ice
1978
3
The Bad Lieutenant
2009
4
Scenarios
1982
5
The Bad Lieutenant (With: Lena Herzog)
2009
6
Scenarios II
2018
7
Conquest of the Useless
2010
8
Scenarios III
2019
9
Every Night the Trees Disappear (With: Alan Greenberg)
2012
10
Scenarios II (With: Krishna Winston)
2018
11
Scenarios III (With: Krishna Winston)
2019
12
The Future of Truth
2025
's Biographies & Memoirs
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Title
Year
Goodreads
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1
Every Man for Himself and God Against All
2023
Werner Herzog Anthologies
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Title
Year
Goodreads
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1
The Paris Review Issue 188
2009
2
Conversations on Cinema
2013
3
CINEMA, THOUGHT, LIFE. Conversations with Fata Morgana