Friedrich Maximilian Klinger's »Geschichte eines Teutschen der neusten Zeit« (The Tale of a German Contemporary) appeared in 1789 as the sixth volume of a planned cycle of 10 philosophical novels. It is an important testimony of the author's engagement with, and understanding of, the works of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and indicates his stance vis-à-vis the French Revolution. This reprint of the text is based on the first edition and is preceded by a detailed introduction discussing the genesis of the novel. A variant apparatus informs the reader of all changes to be found in later versions of the text authorised by Klinger.