You may have heard the expression "you're in trouble," meaning that you are in a difficult situation. This is just one example of Rotwelsch, an ancient street language influenced by Yiddish and written in rudimentary signs, spoken by wanderers and refugees, traders, and thieves from the Middle Ages in Europe.

Martin Puchner grew up knowing that Rotwelsch had unusual interest for his family. When he inherited a family archive, it led him on a journey not only into the history of this extraordinary language but also into his family's connections with the Nazi Party, for which Rotwelsch held particular significance.

The Language of Thieves is a fascinating story about the mentality and environment of Central Europe and how language can be used to circumvent oppression. It is also a deeply moving confrontation with a family's buried past.

Pages: 288, Dimensions: 13.5x13.5cm