The peaceful co-existence of the world’s three major monotheistic religions — this was the hope of the 18th-century dramatist Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, as expressed in his play Nathan der Weise (Nathan the Wise). Famous for the message of tolerance contained in its parable of the three rings, it is considered a shining beacon of Enlightenment literature. Major theatres still put on this work today, but what about the context in which it was created? Barbara Stollberg-Rilinger is an expert on the political and cultural movements of the early modern period. In her book Die Aufklärung (The Enlightenment), the renowned historian offers an insightful introduction to this historical era, which has had a significant impact on the present day.