This is the forgotten story of the million white Europeans; snatched from their homes and taken in chains to the great slave markets of North Africa to be sold to the highest bidder. Ignored by their own governments; and forced to endure the harshest of conditions; very few lived to tell the tale.Using the firsthand testimony of a Cornish cabin boy named Thomas Pellow; Giles Milton vividly reconstructs a disturbing; little known chapter of history. Pellow was bought by the tyrannical sultan of Morocco who was constructing an imperial pleasure palace of enormous scale and grandeur; built entirely by Christian slave labour. As his personal slave; he would witness first-hand the barbaric splendour of the imperial court; as well as experience the daily terror of a cruel regime.Gripping; immaculately researched; and brilliantly realised; WHITE GOLD reveals an explosive chapter of popular history; told with all the pace and verve of one of our finest historians.
#932624 in Books Himmler; Katrin/ Mitchell; Michael (TRN) 2008-11-01Format: UnabridgedOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x 1.00 x 5.00l; .60 #File Name: 0330448145352 pagesPan Books UK
Review
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. An average family that spawned infamy!By Gwynn B. OwensTo write a biography of an infamous character and his immediate family when they are close relatives takes an inordinate amount of courage to look into the dark side of history. Impelled by a request from her father; Ms Himmler began her journey believing her family's narrative. Researching newly released archives and; incredibly; discovering long overlooked family letters; documents; and photos; Ms Himmler uncovered long forgotten and unwanted truths.A frank well researched straight forward bio of a typically average; respectable with the typical values held by their community; German family of the time (late 19th to early mid 20th century). What was surprising was the intense nationalism and militarism which permeated German culture as well as the intense pride Germans held for their past. From her research one can discern the racial bias inculcate within the populace; the emphasis on marrying not for love but for the quality of potential offspring.From these cultural imperatives; the journey to those of the National Socialists was quite logical and frighteningly brief. While Heinrich's path led him to unspeakably depraved actions; his brothers and his father believed in the Nazi party; participating without coercion willingly joining the Party and advancing in it without Heinrich's overt aid.While a portrait of a specific family; it shows how inculcated cultural beliefs along with the aftermath of WW1 which humiliated German pride and the political turmoil between democracy; communism; and the extreme right; provided fertile soil for the nightmare of the Nazi platform.It also demonstrates how selective memories can be.Ms Himmler's journey to ferret out the truth is remarkable; interesting; and compelling.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Woman's Dogged Quest for the Truth.By Edward CarterI can't say anything about Katrin Himmler that others have not already said I think. Courageous is a word that is used frequently and it's immediately obvious that she is a woman seriously determined to get at the truth not just; it seems; for her own peace of mind but for her family as well; for she mentions her son more than once.For those interested in Hitler's rise and fall and the fanatics he surrounded himself with it is an excellent book. Most probably didn't know Heinrich Himmler had two brothers. The book details their involvement in the Nazi regime as well. Katrin is related by blood to Heinrich through the youngest brother.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. An Intimate and Disturbing Look at Heinrich HimmlerBy Cody CarlsonKatrin Himmler delves deep into her family's disturbing history with "The Himmler Brothers: A German Family History." The author is the granddaughter of Ernst Himmler; and great niece to Heinrich Himmler; Hitler's dreaded head of the SS. The book gives a good overview of the family; though the focus of the work is Heinrich. Given the family connection; Katrin is able to provide more than merely official records; but family stories and anecdotes. Sections detailing Himmler's relationship with his mistress; Hedwig Potthast; are particularly engaging and further illustrate just how bizarre the man truly was. Throughout the work; one gets the sense of a person trying to understand her family in ways that most of us do; though given the sheer horrors her great-uncle was responsible for; the journey makes for truly fascinating reading. Those wishing to learn more about one of history's greatest monsters would do well to read this important book.
