The Blue Notebooks was originally composed in the run-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Richter has described it as "a protest album about Iraq, a meditation on violence – both the violence that I had personally experienced around me as a child and the violence of war, at the utter futility of so much armed conflict."

The album was recorded about a week after mass protests against the war. It features readings from Franz Kafka's The Blue Octavo Notebooks and Czesław Miłosz's Hymn of the Pearl and Unattainable Earth. Both readings are by the British actress Tilda Swinton.

This new edition celebrates its 15th anniversary with brand new artwork and bonus content, such as new arrangements, remixes, as well as a completely unreleased new track. 18 Tracks in total.

2CD - Digipack with 16 Page Booklet. 18 Tracks 2LP - Double Black Vinyl. 18 Tracks CD+ - Deluxe Hardcover Book with real Notebook. Features one extra track to the other formats. 19 Tracks.