1. Introduction .................................................................................. 2

2. Childhood .................................................................................... 24

3. Youth: Bräker in love ................................................................... 43

4. The road to Lobositz, and home ................................................... 59

5. Marriage, famine and death ......................................................... 83

6. Student of the Enlightenment .................................................... 103

7. Gains and losses from learning .................................................. 117

8. Face to face with the great scholars ........................................... 138

9. The Confessions ....................................................................... 154

10. Becoming a published author ................................................... 170

11. The importance of friendship .................................................... 189

12. Further journeys and conversations .......................................... 208

13. Revolution on the horizon ......................................................... 224

14. Last-ditch efforts and a delinquent daughter ............................ 251

15. Revolution in St. Gallen ............................................................. 269

16. Revolution in the Toggenburg and the approach of death ......... 285

17. Bräker's legacy .......................................................................... 308

18. Illustrations ................................................................................ 320

19. Weights, measures and coinage ................................................. 321

20. Bibliography ............................................................................... 322