Joseph Goebbels was the most notorious demagogue of the twentieth century, and Hitler's closest confidant. This book uses his complete diary from 1923-1945, only recently released from the Soviet Union, to present a challenging new interpretation of his life. It charts Goebbels' rise from provincial obscurity in the Rhineland, through his emergence as the most dynamic speaker of the Nazi Party and the Gauleiter of Berlin in the 1920s, to his appointment as Hitler's Propaganda Minister in 1933. Combining analysis of Goebbels' relationships with women and of his political career, it argues that there were clear threads running through his life, from a turbulent adolescence through to his death. Goebbels' love of German culture, his obsession with 'sacrifice', his fascination for Hitler, and his hatred of the Jews led him into a fatal involvement with German politics which culminated in his suicide, together his wife and six children, in Hitler's bunker in 1945.
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"...a welcome addition to the burgeoning library of 'perpetrator studies'." Literary Review
"…a detailed and well-written insight into the man at the heart of the Nazi propaganda machine….In his examination of Goebbels, Toby Thacker has produced a valuable addition to the printed history of the 1930s and 1940s." Britain at War Magazine
"Thacker's reassessment is convincing and welcome. Crucially, his new biography is the first to be written since the entire set of Goebbels' diaries has been published. He writes well, and offers the reader a number of important new contentions and insights." BBC History Magazine
"...the author seeks to dispel at least some of the myths and legends surrounding Goebbels, which he discussed and considered at the beggining as a sort of stock-taking of the image of Goebbels still prevalant today." German Historical Institute London
"This biography is an important addition to the study of the Nazi era and its successful Propaganda Minister. It raises important questions about how policy was made and what led to such key events as the Holocaust. All serious students of the Nazi regime should read it." - Paul Bookbinder, University of Massachusetts, Boston, European Historical Quarterly
Book Description
The first authoritative biography of Joseph Goebbels to use all his surviving diaries, 1923-45. Sheds fascinating new light on his beliefs and personal relationships, including that with Hitler.
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35 of 36 people found the following review helpful
By Dr. R. Brandon
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is an excellent book, quite simply the best political biography that I have read for some time. The style is lucid and very straightforward, I guarantee that you will not have to re-read a single sentence in this book in order to aid your comprehension. The author, Thacker, has made wonderful use of recently released sections of the Goebbels' diaries which now represent an almost a complete record of these important documents. Together with exhaustive research in the German archives the author has put together what must be the most accurate and comprehensive fast moving biography to date of this Nazi leader. Goebbels maintained a diary from his youth to the end of his life and recorded events and his views on the arts and politics of the day. When he acceded to power in the 1930s Goebbels was very aware that he was writing an historically important document that would be scrutinised by future historians and he put great effort into their daily maintenance and their safekeeping.
Thacker manages to chart Goebbels' private life and his artistic interests coincidentally with his role at the centre of German politics. Goebbels was probably closer to Hitler in the late 1930s and through to the end of the war than any other senior Nazi and hence his diary is of vital interest in understanding the motivation and beliefs of these two men. In this, the diaries do not disappoint and Thacker is able to draw a very clear picture of what was taking place and the thoughts behind the actions.
The final chapter of the book examines other biographies and works on Goebbels and compares previously expressed views with his own.... Read more ›
Thacker manages to chart Goebbels' private life and his artistic interests coincidentally with his role at the centre of German politics. Goebbels was probably closer to Hitler in the late 1930s and through to the end of the war than any other senior Nazi and hence his diary is of vital interest in understanding the motivation and beliefs of these two men. In this, the diaries do not disappoint and Thacker is able to draw a very clear picture of what was taking place and the thoughts behind the actions.
The final chapter of the book examines other biographies and works on Goebbels and compares previously expressed views with his own.... Read more ›
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Bunny Adolf
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This biography is the definitive life of Goebbels. The clarity and detail is unsurpassed. Goebbels has always been seen as a nihilistic opportunist, but Toby Thacker paints this monster in his true colours. Goebbels was first and always a revolutionary, he alone of the Nazi leadership remained true to himself and it is this that makes him so horrifying. He was a man of high intelligence and acute perceptions. He knew exactly what he was getting into and saw it through to his own squalid Ragnarok in the bunker with his idol Hitler in April 1945. The murder of all six of his children is a crime that is hard to confront, as is the revelation that he stood at the very centre of the genocide of the Jews. Yet he was possessed of manic energy and creativity-very unlike the torpid and basically lazy Fuhrer he served.Perhaps the world should think itself lucky that Goebbels was only a follower and not Fuhrer himself. With Goebbels in charge, I suspect the history of the 3rd Reich would have been very different and NOT in a good way. I'm going to hate myself for saying this,but Goebbels was a very funny man. I laughed out loud at some of his quoted pronouncements and had not realised how biting his humour could be. I can almost imagine spending an uproarious time in his company, but then I see the bodies of his innocent children and the nations of the dead at his heels. Please God, let there never be another Joseph Goebbels.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is fascinating, well written and extremely insightful. Dr Thacker was my lecturer at university and this book is as interesting as his lecturers. I would recommend it to enthusiasts, students and professionals. Brilliant.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is one hugely detailed book - enjoyable? - possibly not but quite satisfying. This fills in a lot of gaps in the Nazi years and clearly shows that Goebbels was Hitlers right hand man - of this there is no doubt. His views are extremeand his influence on where the Nazi party went unquestionable. A simplyn superb book but also worrying in that a man from such a simple background can end up wielding such influence. If anyone has any doubt about the effect of Bomber Command they should read this - nothing scared him more.
14 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Toby Thacker has created an informative and thought provoking insight into the life of what can be argued was one of the most dangerous and cruel personalities of the 20th century. The book is easy to read and compelling as it takes you through Goebbels earliest experiences and influences that formed the mindset, beliefs and values of Hitler's propoganda lieutenant. Thacker effortlessly encourages the reader to think about why Goebbels acted as he did; how he was able to manipulate firstly the members of the Volks party, owards through the Nazi party and finally and most alarmingly, the entire German nation. Thacker is able to illustrate the presence, personality and leadership skills of the man who was able to lead the German nation to belief that the inilation of an enitre race of people was a justifiable act of god. The book describes Goebbels blind devotion to Hitler and shows his personal sacrifices to support such a tryant.
For all those who have an interest in modern European history this is definitely worth buying and should be used to increase your overall knowledge and undestanding about what was one of the worst periods in modern European history.
For all those who have an interest in modern European history this is definitely worth buying and should be used to increase your overall knowledge and undestanding about what was one of the worst periods in modern European history.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
an excellent book with a new modern, scientific feel to it
i must echo what the other reviewers have said: this is thorough, lucid, solidly argued, well-structured. Read more
Published 11 months ago by asp
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goebbels
This is a good factual book, a bit heavy in parts, which could make people, less interested in this subject, skip a few pages. Read more
Published on 19 July 2010 by squadie
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