"Goethe: The Poet and the Age" by Nicholas Boyle is a comprehensive biography of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, one of the most influential German writers and thinkers of the 18th and 19th centuries. Nicholas Boyle delves into the life of Goethe and explores his literary works, philosophical ideas, and his impact on German culture and beyond. This biography offers insights into Goethe's personal life, including his relationships, struggles, and achievements. It also provides a thorough examination of his major works, such as "Faust," "The Sorrows of Young Werther," and "Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship," among others. Boyle's work not only portrays Goethe as a literary figure but also situates him within the historical and cultural context of his time, highlighting his interactions with other prominent figures of the Romantic era and the Enlightenment.