Hitler's Diplomat: The Life and Times of Joachim Von RibbentropTicknor & Fields, 1992 - 376 pages This first full-length English-language biography of Joachim von Ribbentrop, Adolf Hitler's notorious foreign minister, is also an authoritative account of the social and political workings of Nazi Germany. The result of a lifetime of research and firsthand experience, the book combines narrative history of the highest order and intimate familiarity with the people, events, and social currents that animated Hitler's regime. A well-to-do social climber who made and married money, von Ribbentrop was among the few in Hitler's circle with a claim to social prominence. As ambassador to England, von Ribbentrop quickly worked his way up to head the Foreign Ministry, along the way negotiating the British Naval Agreement, the Anti-Comintern Pact, and the Soviet Non-Aggression Pact. Frustrated during the war, when diplomacy was rendered virtually obsolete, von Ribbentrop never forsook his Fuhrer even at Nurnberg, where he was tried and hanged as a senior war criminal. With a provocative foreword by Tom Wolfe that draws disturbing comparisons between the Berlin of the 1930s and American society of the 1980s, Hitler's Diplomat is not only the riveting story of one of Hitler's closest collaborators, it also provides a window onto a side of Nazi Germany that is as fascinating as it is troubling: the men and women of culture and means who gave themselves to Hitler and his war machine. |
From inside the book
Results 1-3 of 25
Page 28
... Dahlem , where streets were quiet and tree - lined , and houses were called villas . Each villa had its butlers , chauffeurs , and upstairs and downstairs maids . Dahlem's Protestant church was one of Berlin's " smart " churches , and ...
... Dahlem , where streets were quiet and tree - lined , and houses were called villas . Each villa had its butlers , chauffeurs , and upstairs and downstairs maids . Dahlem's Protestant church was one of Berlin's " smart " churches , and ...
Page 54
... Dahlem . On January 18 , when von Papen , Hitler , Röhm , and Himmler met again , von Papen was convinced that there was no way around Hitler's demands . The propaganda value of his victory in tiny Lippe was bound to evoke popular ...
... Dahlem . On January 18 , when von Papen , Hitler , Röhm , and Himmler met again , von Papen was convinced that there was no way around Hitler's demands . The propaganda value of his victory in tiny Lippe was bound to evoke popular ...
Page 112
... Dahlem congregation , one of the most fashionable Protestant parishes in Berlin . Niemöller was a German nationalist but a fierce opponent of National Socialism . He frequently preached sermons against the government's antireligious and ...
... Dahlem congregation , one of the most fashionable Protestant parishes in Berlin . Niemöller was a German nationalist but a fierce opponent of National Socialism . He frequently preached sermons against the government's antireligious and ...
Common terms and phrases
accepted According Adolf Hitler ally ambassador American Annelies Army asked attack Austrian became become began Berlin Britain British called Chamberlain chief command diplomatic early embassy England face fight final followed forced foreign minister former France French Führer German Germany's Goebbels Göring hand head Henderson Himmler invited Italian Italy Jewish Jews Joachim von Ribbentrop join June King knew known Kordt later lives London looked March matter meeting Mein Kampf military Ministry Moscow Munich Mussolini named Nazi Neurath never once ordered pact Papen Paris party peace plans Poland Polish political probably Reich returned Russian Schmidt secretary seemed senior sent signed soon Soviet staff things thought told took treaty tried troops turned uniform United usual von Ribbentrop wanted wrote young