Erotic, remarkable, recommended - 5 - star

A remarkable study about everyday sexual habits under a liberal Weimar republic in comparison to the later tainted hypocritical attitude of the so called pure in mind and body Aryan german race overseen by the Nazi party. The writing is engrossing and at times erotic openly destroying the propaganda orchestrated by Joseph Goebbels. Hitler and his circle of evil would have us believe that their form of facism promoted good clean living backed up by strong bodies toned and shaped to perfection. The truth is more sombre, a diary of torture and loose sexual habits hidden behind a litany of lies. It is somewhat ironic that Goebbels preached abstinence and perfection when he himself presented as a small man, with a large head, crippled foot, and fragile body. He wanted to be accepted as a family man with a devoted wife Magda and six adoring children. He openly had numerous affairs, in particular Lida Baarova, an aspiring actress whose career was ruined and nearly ended with her being put to death at the end of world war 2. Hitler in his early political career had a strange relationship with his niece Geli Raubal, he was 19 years older. He was obsessed with her to the point of banishing friends and suitors from her side, keeping her alone and solely for his pleasure. There is evidence to suggest a sexual side to this relationship indeed rumour of gros kinky acts with Hitler insisting that his niece urinate on him. There is much reference made to the deplorable treatment of women during this time, so many violated and raped by advancing armies and attractive internees in concentration camps being offered the life of a prostitute as an alternative to death..” We learned we would be offered as prostitutes to the German forces, and those Latvian members of the German military, in one of their brothels. The idea filled me with dread in an instant. I was 17 years old and had never experienced sexual intercourse at that point in my life. I was scared of what was going to happen to me. I was the youngest of the seven of us and the other women who were in their twenties tried to offer some comfort to me, but they could do nothing else”.

This is a remarkable book compiled mostly from endless research and interviews with eyewitnesses and victims who lived through the horror of that time. It is not always an easy read and the sexual element, often described in great detail, is in my opinion an important part of the text if we are to fully understand the evil perpetrated by many on a defenceless few. Many thanks to the good people at netgalley for a gratis copy in exchange for an honest review and that is what I have written. Recommended.