The three main topics covered by these essays include German contribiutions to Western Civilization, the ethnic cleansing of the Germans after World War II, and the fall of communism followed by the unification of Germany. German contributions are discussed especially as they relate to East Central Europe and America. During the early phase of their history, both of these regions were - what the Polish-American historian Oscar Halecki has called - "Borderlands of Western Civilization." The cradle of Western Civilization has always been Western Europe. It is from there that carriers of this Civilization - the Germans - spread advanced Western culture to the regions east of the Elba and west of the Mississippi. In the case of East Central Europe the German role was especially pronounced. It involved the Christianizing, civilizing, and urbanizing of that region. German-built cities - whose genesis is still recognizable through their architecture - have dotted this region from Riga and Konigsberg, down to such Transylvanian cites as Hermannstadt and Kronstadt through the past eight centuries. As the Germans spread eastward and southward during the High Middle Ages, they brought with them their know-how in city building, technology, agriculture, as well as intellectual achievements. In the 20th century, the civilizing mission of the Germans suffered immeasurably. Having come under the influence of a psychopath, for a moment in history, (1933-1945) some of them ceased to be heralds of Western Christian Culture. For this the whole German nation was forced to endure much anguish and suffering, especially those who became innocent victims of post war ethnic cleansing. We are convinced that it is only a question of time before the Germans will again assume their former role as builders, disseminators, and promoters of knowledge within Western Culture and Civilization.