snivystorm's review against another edition
5.0
I can see why my tutor recommended David Welch.
As a history student studying Third Reich and the propaganda orchestrated by Joseph Goebbels and the Reich Ministry for Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda (RMVP), this book has provided me a superb overview to exactly how Goebbels took two powerful ideas - Hitler as the ultimate ruler and indestructible saviour of Germany (Fuhrerprinzip) and the desire for the German people to be united in a single 'People's Community' (Volksgemeinschaft) - and shaped them into a fantasy that the Germans bought as reality because it was founded on a certain half-truth present beneath the surface.
Admittedly, a fair few ideas in the book I have encountered in other reads or through documentaries (even, in places, film) but Welch's expression was clear, concise and certainly proved (still proving) useful in my course. Further, the novel provides what documentaries can't; the historian's in-depth perspective (rather than quick soundbites) especially one that's far removed from immediate reactions post-WW2 but has recent historiography to go on (as recent as a pre-21st century book can of course.) I'm certain someone with only casual knowledge about Nazi Germany, not least propaganda, can read this book and learn much from it.
Not only that but I found the chapter regarding the Nazis propaganda at war especially fascinating (not least because that period is my favourite in history), particularly their efforts to convince their people that the war could still be won by Germany even after the Allies landed two severe blows to Germany's military 'indestructibility' (first Stalingrad and then D-Day). Normally, such defeats would crush any fighter's belief in a chance for victory but Goebbels' propaganda willed the Germans on (at least, enough of them) that Germany continued fighting for a further 10 months (June, 1944 - April, 1945) before finally conceding in absolute defeat.
Such goes to show propaganda's power: it doesn't matter if the means to fight are vastly out-numbered and over-powered if the people's will remains firm, so firm they can't believe the truth, that they will never surrender.
'Propaganda is not inherently evil, despite us getting that association from Goebbels and his Ministry. No, propaganda can also be a force for good. Propaganda is morally neutral. It is the propagandist who determines the works moral sway.'
A superb read and one I recommend to anyone wanting to check out Third Reich Propaganda.
As a history student studying Third Reich and the propaganda orchestrated by Joseph Goebbels and the Reich Ministry for Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda (RMVP), this book has provided me a superb overview to exactly how Goebbels took two powerful ideas - Hitler as the ultimate ruler and indestructible saviour of Germany (Fuhrerprinzip) and the desire for the German people to be united in a single 'People's Community' (Volksgemeinschaft) - and shaped them into a fantasy that the Germans bought as reality because it was founded on a certain half-truth present beneath the surface.
Admittedly, a fair few ideas in the book I have encountered in other reads or through documentaries (even, in places, film) but Welch's expression was clear, concise and certainly proved (still proving) useful in my course. Further, the novel provides what documentaries can't; the historian's in-depth perspective (rather than quick soundbites) especially one that's far removed from immediate reactions post-WW2 but has recent historiography to go on (as recent as a pre-21st century book can of course.) I'm certain someone with only casual knowledge about Nazi Germany, not least propaganda, can read this book and learn much from it.
Not only that but I found the chapter regarding the Nazis propaganda at war especially fascinating (not least because that period is my favourite in history), particularly their efforts to convince their people that the war could still be won by Germany even after the Allies landed two severe blows to Germany's military 'indestructibility' (first Stalingrad and then D-Day). Normally, such defeats would crush any fighter's belief in a chance for victory but Goebbels' propaganda willed the Germans on (at least, enough of them) that Germany continued fighting for a further 10 months (June, 1944 - April, 1945) before finally conceding in absolute defeat.
Such goes to show propaganda's power: it doesn't matter if the means to fight are vastly out-numbered and over-powered if the people's will remains firm, so firm they can't believe the truth, that they will never surrender.
'Propaganda is not inherently evil, despite us getting that association from Goebbels and his Ministry. No, propaganda can also be a force for good. Propaganda is morally neutral. It is the propagandist who determines the works moral sway.'
A superb read and one I recommend to anyone wanting to check out Third Reich Propaganda.
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