ePub Goebbels: Mastermind of the Third Reich by David Irving in History

Review

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful. The True Portrayal of the Man and his TimeBy MarkIn Goebbels: Mastermind of the Third Reich; David Irving brings his considerable research to bear in order to produce another unique work of true history. Unlike his peers; Irving does not recycle material by secondary sources but conducts original research on his own; being the first ever to read the microfilms of Goebbels's diaries after having been bought by Irving from the recently opened (at the time) Soviet archives. Irving conducts interviews with the persons present at the time; compiles the testimony from their own diaries; and weaves it all together into a unique presentation that other authors cannot match.Goebbels emerges from Irving's work as a diligent; hard-working propaganda master who very much was the behind-the-scenes mastermind of the Third Reich. We see Goebbels rise to the top while destroying the reputation of "Isidor;" we see Goebbels struggle with his eternal conflict with women; we see Goebbels trying to find favor with Hitler while trying to discredit his rivals. In this way; Goebbels will by no means strike us a perfect or even a great man; but as a very human man; warts and all. While Goebbels certainly doesn't strike me as "evil" in any way; he certainly has many faults and Irving balances it all brilliantly. I heavily annotated this book and it will remain one of my primary references for this man and this period.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Excellent book but new edition is better and much less expensiveBy WinterWell researched and well written. This book as been reprinted by Focal Point Publications so one can buy new hardcover ones for $50 plus shipping. New edition is an improvement over the first edition with better print quality and new photographs.7 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Mastermind of the Third Reich In Intimate DetailBy john thamesDavid Irving's biography of the Reich propaganda minister is a fascinating study. Based on the Goebbel's diaries uncovered in Moscow the biography shows the skills and willpower of a man who was a true fighter. His pre-rise to power tussle with Bernhard "Isidore" Weiss; the Berlin deputy chief of police; was a harbinger of things to come. Goebbels was a master of prose; as many of his historically literate and extremely devastating replies to the hypocrites in London demonstrate. As he once phrased it; the British Empire had a history that was "more than dubious". Indeed; several of Goebbels mocking commentaries on the English seem very reminscent of Senator Gerald P. Nye's famous speech "Agression Builds the British Empire".Goebbels also had a very sentimental; artistic side; as shown by his infatuation with Veit Harlan's film; "Opfergang"; starring Soderberg's wife; the Swedish actress; Christina Soderberg. Goebbels was so fascinated by it that he constantly delayed; and redelayed; its release to the German public. Goebbels affair with Lida Barovva was never consumated; according to Miss Barovva herself. Of course; Goebbels was ruthless toward the Jews. He despised them; not merely for the usual reasons but also because of their destruction of his journalistic career. As to his famous comment on liquidating the Jews on the eastern front; that was a prognostication of the early part of the Russian campaign; a prognostication that clearly did not come entirely true; given the huge numbers of Jewish commissars in Eastern Europe after the war. Goebbels was a very gifted organizer and did fine work in raising soldiers for the German war effort later in the conflict.Joseph Goebbels certainly did despise the Jews; like many people of the day. He was a liar for the Nazi regime but usually managed to tell more truth than his rivals in London; Paris and Washington. Not always a pleasant man; Joseph Goebbels needs to be read and reread. Like the Devil himself; he was "learned in quoting scripture".