Description
Book SynopsisA study of Nazi heroic mythology that focuses on the dark, death-enthralled underpinnings of the German political and cultural psyche during the years 1918-45.
Trade Review"In this chilling study of Nazi heroic mythology, Baird sheds a bright light on the dark, death-enthralled underpinnings of the German political and cultural psyche during the years 1918-45." Booklist "Baird blends first-rate historical reconstruction with expert cultural analysis." American Historical Review "Baird's fascinating account of Nazi heroism provides real understanding of the Nazi employment of aesthetics as politics and will be welcomed by students of twentieth-century German and European culture." The Historian
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
Introduction
I. The Myth of Langemarck
II. The Maryrdom of Albert Leo Schlageter
III. Sacrifice at the Feldherrnhalle: The Nazi Immortals of 9 November 1923
IV. Goebbels, Horst Wessel, and the Myth of Resurrection and Return
V. The Death and Transfiguration of Hitler Youth Herbert Norkus
VI. Gerhard Schumann: Elitist Poet of the Volk Community
VII. Hans Baumann: Troubadour of the Hitler Youth
VIII. Karl Ritter and the Heroic Nazi Cinema
IX. Hitler, Heroes, and Heldentod: The Myth of Death in World War II
Epilogue
Abbreviations
Notes
Bibliography
Index
