Goebbels: Nazi Master of Illusion

Israeli author Daniela Ozack Stern PhD, earned her degree in Jewish History from The University of Haifa, and serves as an historian, researcher, and lecturer on World War II, the Holocaust, Genocide, survival, and resistance. She has published works on these subjects, and now shares her Master’s thesis on Nazi propaganda led by Joseph Goebbels during the last year of WW II in this book form – GOEBBELS: NAZI MASTER OF ILLUSION.While there are many memoirs and novels written about the horrors of the Holocaust, this book offers insights into the core of concept and evil plan that initiated that heinous period of history. Dr. Stern explains the origins in her Preface – ‘In gatherings held at the Hofbräuhaus, one of the breweries in Munich, Adolf Hitler would deliver energetic, sweeping speeches. In February 1920, he introduced a new movement, National Socialism, aimed at fighting against those responsible for Germany’s defeat during the war (WW I). He referred obviously to Jews, Communists, Democrats, and those who had signed the Treaty of Versailles. Supporters flocked to Hitler’s side, including one of the figures who would later be at the center of the transformation of the nascent Nazi party into a general German movement that appealed to the masses. This was Joseph Goebbels, a young intellectual and a native Rhinelander, a scholar well-versed in philosophy, political theory, history, and literature…Goebbels managed to pull the German masses together to support goals he presented before them, and when they stood at a dramatic turning point during the war, they continued to blindly follow him to their ruin…’Referencing her intensive research into the diaries that Goebbels kept, she writes – ‘The importance of Goebbels’ diaries lies in their providing World War II historians with a complete an extensive personal record, written as the events were taking place, by a man who belonged to the elite of the Nazi party and was close to Hitler.’ He created the salute ‘Heil Hitler’ and even the title der Führer, and Dr Stern states, “This book will focus on the last year of WW II, which was also the last year of Goebbels’ life…May 1944, when nearly half a million Hungarian Jews were sent to be exterminated in Auschwitz, to May 1, 1945, the day Magda and Joseph Goebbels committed suicide, taking with them their six children, the day after their admired leader, Adolf Hitler committed suicide in his bunker in Berlin.’In a scholarly, sophisticated, yet completely accessible manner, Dr Stern provides a fine historical overview of the ‘concept’ of he Nazi Party, then examines the life of Goebbels and each step of the moves he took in creating the horrors of the Holocaust. ‘Hitler was a great prophet in the eyes of Goebbels,’ This is a fine study of Goebbels’ mind, orientation, and perceptions that finally brings light to the nidus that became the Holocaust. Excellent research and writing – important to all of us. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, March 22

I have read a fair number of books on WWII and typically drift towards biographies. This book exceeded my expectations. It is exceptionally well researched and the author does an excellent job of citing sources and providing them at then end of the book so any topic you have an deeper interest in, she allows you to read what she read to delve deeper.The context of the book is, of course, somber. But while somber, the life of Goebbels was fascinating to read. His rise from near nothingness at birth to Commander at death was allowed because Goebbels played the game. He played the game of learning people and how people operate. He used that one skill to control an entire country during a time of war and become the talking head of the Third Reich.This book provides a well written account of Goebbels use of various forms of propaganda to completely change the tone of war in Germany and to train, for lack of a better word, the Germans to hate those of Jewish descent. It proves just how powerful propaganda can be when left censored and controlled without any checks or balances.

This book explains a lot about propaganda and the holocaust and the men who in my opinion brainwashed all of these people into doing what they wouldn't do otherwise mostly the jews. It explains a lot about what happen when the holocaust was going on and how they got them poor people to do what they wanted them to do. This book explains a lot in great detail the historian did a great deal of research in this book I highly recommend it to anybody who wants to know more about what happened in the holocaust.

After reading this book with much interest I would like to recommend it to anyone who cares about democracy.It is fascinating to see the power of lies as invented by Goebbels, the Nazi minister of propaganda. Every student needs to read this book and remember how important it is to seek the truth

Very intetesting summary of ones of the wrost people ever lived, well written and informative

Scary and fascinatingAn interesting research packed in an easy to read and fluent book, which is hard to put down.It’s scary to think that the things described in the book can happen again.

Very readable and fluent that presents the propaganda machin created by Joseph Goebbels to influence millions of Germans during WWII.What is striking is that this story is relevant nowadays more than ever. i truly recommend reading this book if you want to know the psychology of dictatorship and the power of propaganda

I really enjoyed reading this book. The book was packed full of information and engaging. The book offers interesting new insights and also a solid background, so even I, who have a basic knowledge of the Holocaust and World War II, could easily follow.Highly recommend!-Rebecca