The Federal Republic of Germany has built a democratic society on the foundations of the Basic Law. Its legislative bodies, judicial system, academic community, and media have all played a crucial role in enabling Germany to join the group of ruleof- law nations respected on the global stage. In a globalised world, where domestic legal systems compete, German law has become the subject of growing interest. In response to this greater interest, the leading institutions of German legal life have joined forces with the Federal Ministry of Justice to form the Alliance for German Law. The Federal Ministry of Justice publishes English-language translations of key German legislation. While the latter can offer a basic insight into German law, legal provisions alone do not suffice to impart a clear understanding of our country’s legal structures, systems, and dynamics. This is where Germany’s legal academics must take up the gauntlet. It is therefore highly commendable that Professor Vormbaum’s book, A Modern History of German Criminal Law, has been published in English. I would like to thank the editor, Professor Bohlander, and the Volkswagen Foundation, which has supported this project. I agree entirely with the author that, in order to understand the law as it stands, knowledge is required of its origins, as well as its development from the age of enlightenment to the present day. The aim of this book is to make such knowledge widely accessible to an audience outside of the German-speaking world. I therefore hope that the English-language version of this book will enjoy the broad readership it deserves.