For poets; priests; and politicians--and especially ordinary Germans--in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries; the image of the loving nuclear family gathered around the Christmas tree symbolized the unity of the nation at large. German Christmas was supposedly organic; a product of the winter solstice rituals of pagan "Teutonic" tribes; the celebration of the birth of Jesus; and the age-old customs that defined German character. Yet; as Joe Perry argues; Germans also used these annual celebrations to contest the deepest values that held the German community together: faith; family; and love; certainly; but also civic responsibility; material prosperity; and national belonging.This richly illustrated volume explores the invention; evolution; and politicization of Germany's favorite national holiday. According to Perry; Christmas played a crucial role in public politics; as revealed in the militarization of "War Christmas" during World War I and World War II; the Nazification of Christmas by the Third Reich; and the political manipulation of Christmas during the Cold War. Perry offers a close analysis of the impact of consumer culture on popular celebration and the conflicts created as religious; commercial; and political authorities sought to control the holiday's meaning. By unpacking the intimate links between domestic celebration; popular piety; consumer desires; and political ideology; Perry concludes that family festivity was central in the making and remaking of public national identities.
#2074405 in Books The University of North Carolina Press 2000-09-18Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 .98 x 6.35 x 9.62l; 1.30 #File Name: 0807825522288 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The book itself is great; well written and the topic is discussed and ...By NatalieThe book itself is great; well written and the topic is discussed and laid out in a very professional and clean manor; no drill and all important info. My only complaint; which has nothing to do with the books contents; is that it was supposed to be "almost new" yet there was writing in it. Other than that; I'm highly satisfied3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Good background informationBy victor vignolaGary Gallagher has compiled a group of informative essays about the Richmond (Peninsula)campaign from some prominent Civil War authors. The essayists include Mr. Gallagher's 'Putting the Campaign in Perspective'; Robert K. Krick's summary of Stonewall Jackson's tardy performance issues during the campaign; Robert E.L. Krick's account of 'Whitings Division at Gaines Mill"; William Miller's very informative essay about military engineering during the Campaign and primarily about John Barnard; McClellan's Chief Engineer; John Hubbell's summary of the "Seven Days of George McClellan"; Keith Bohannon's description of the cannonade that was experienced by both sides at Malvern Hill; as well as other very informative short 30 page essays regarding the Campaign. Each essay is well sourced and footnoted.The book should be used as an adjunct source of information in a study of the Peninsula Campaign. The book is not intended to be a beginning to end study of the strategy tactics that were employed by Gens. McClellan; Johnston Lee throughout the campaign. Rather; the essays focus on some of the key aspects/key events that influenced the outcome of the Campaign.Should one desire a soup-to-nuts narrative of the entire Campaign;perhaps the best book to recommend is Stephen Sears "To the Gates of Richmond". However; that statement is not intended as a slight to Mr. Gallagher's book. As stated earlier in this review; "The Richmond Campaign of 1862" is very useful for a student of the Peninsula Campaign to use as an adjunct source for some additional and more in-depth information. The information in Gallagher's book compliments very well the information gained from Sear's book.5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating Detail on Key Battles ; Leaders and PoliticsBy Daniel HurleyGreat book to read after Stephen Sear's Penninsula Campaign (even noted by the editor). This great collection of CW historians take the leading characters and events of the 7 days campaign and provide insights to this fascinating series of battles that set the Union back three years. Fascinating writing of John Bankhead Magruder; the hero of the lower Peninsula; whose prewar reputation for drink and ladies combined with lack of sleep; stress; illness and improper medical treatment created a magnifyer for his failures particularly at Malvern Hill. Lee's desire to rid himself of Magruder who was a hero just weeks before is in stark contrast to his retaining of Stonewall who as R. K. Krick writes was virtually ineffective for a multitude of reasons; primarily due to sleep deprivation. Also; great essays on McClellan whose grandiose ego was not able to stand upright on the battlefield and his engineers who could build anything he needed but were used as scapegoats just like anyone else to excuse his own conduct. Additional essays are on the great importance of the seven days battles to lift southern morale and the enhancement of the radicals position contributed to by McClellan's failures during the campaign. Superb article on the artillery duel on Malvern Hill and confederate attack that collapsed under murderous and accurate union artillery fire. The Union's artillery devastated their southern counterparts in short order. R.E.L. Krick highlights Whiting's Division (with Hood) breaking the Union line decisively at Gaines Mill. No one knows the battlefield better than Krick. Longstreet may have wished he never picked up a pen after Krick writes of Longstreet's post war confusion of facts over his command of Whiting; "It appears an unusually early example of the gasconade for which Longstreet is now famous". That commentary would have made "Old Jube" proud.
