I first read this book about 15 years ago. How wonderful to re-read it and discover that it’s every bit as powerful as I remember. I really enjoyed mixing the extracts from the novel with archive historical footage and photos. With deep thanks to everyone involved in producing the material I have repurposed, I have done my best to give acknowledgments on screen.
Absolutely breathtaking. Recently read this wonderful book and hugely enjoyed your take on it. Fascinating discussion that leads to some really intriguing conclusions. The video-production and editing is great as well with your engaging performance as host framing everything together in a very satisfactory way. One of the most engaging video essays I’ve seen in a long time, will definitely be taking a plunge through your back-log to see what else you’ve made!
Thank you! Very kind comments, and I’m so pleased you took the time to watch. It is a wonderful book, I find it haunting just how ‘ordinary’ it feels in its depiction of everyday life in 40s Berlin, and how you really do feel like you’re in amongst it with normal people. A contrast to the ‘grand sweeping narrative’ take on history. I hope you find something you enjoy in my other videos; it’s early days on the channel, I’m due to officially ‘launch’ this week! It means a lot to have your support, please do share it with others and I’ll keep the content coming! All the best from Adelaide, Sam
I love this. I have read this book and really enjoyed it. The bits about the authors life help us to understand the context in which this was written. I also hadn't considered the real difference between reading a historical non fiction book and a novel by someone who was there at the time....may I recommend "Reunion" by Fred Uhlman for a future snippet?
I've watched each of your videos with my son and as soon as this one ended, he said "Best one yet". Not sure if I have a favourite but did like this culminating in the Empathy Machine.
I am absolutely fascinated by this period of time and have read many books on the subject, mostly non-fiction thus far, but this book seems like a must-read. Anything that gives us a glimpse of life under the Nazi regime is important, especially in this age as we are witnessing what has eerie echoes of the type of extremism that sent Germany into the abyss. It just took one madman and a singular vision of purging the country of those he viewed as "degenerates" and rationalized their mass extermination . It's historically inaccurate to paint with a broad brush and believe that all citizens agreed with Hitler's madness, but as noted any dissent was meet with a retaliation that many ordinary citizens were not willing to take and remained silent. Those brave enough to protest in the own way knew the risks of their actions and oftentimes paid with their lives. It's a fascinating but tragic period of history.
Thank you for the thoughtful comment. It is chilling to see how some people haven’t learnt anything from this chapter of history, and you’re right - there are ‘eerie echoes’ in plenty of parts of the world. I think books like this help people realise that the conditions that give rise to someone like Hitler are not impossible to occur again
I love this. I have read this book and really enjoyed it. The bits about the authors life help us to understand the context in which this was written. I also hadn't considered the real difference between reading a historical non fiction book and a novel by someone who was there at the time....may I recommend "Reunion" by Fred Uhlman for a future snippet?
@@JodyCollins-u5m as much as I love Animal Farm, it’s difficult to know what new to say about something like that…it might be easier to go for slightly ‘deeper cuts’….not sure :)
I first read this book about 15 years ago. How wonderful to re-read it and discover that it’s every bit as powerful as I remember. I really enjoyed mixing the extracts from the novel with archive historical footage and photos. With deep thanks to everyone involved in producing the material I have repurposed, I have done my best to give acknowledgments on screen.
Absolutely breathtaking. Recently read this wonderful book and hugely enjoyed your take on it.
Fascinating discussion that leads to some really intriguing conclusions. The video-production and editing is great as well with your engaging performance as host framing everything together in a very satisfactory way.
One of the most engaging video essays I’ve seen in a long time, will definitely be taking a plunge through your back-log to see what else you’ve made!
Thank you! Very kind comments, and I’m so pleased you took the time to watch. It is a wonderful book, I find it haunting just how ‘ordinary’ it feels in its depiction of everyday life in 40s Berlin, and how you really do feel like you’re in amongst it with normal people. A contrast to the ‘grand sweeping narrative’ take on history. I hope you find something you enjoy in my other videos; it’s early days on the channel, I’m due to officially ‘launch’ this week! It means a lot to have your support, please do share it with others and I’ll keep the content coming! All the best from Adelaide, Sam
I love this. I have read this book and really enjoyed it. The bits about the authors life help us to understand the context in which this was written. I also hadn't considered the real difference between reading a historical non fiction book and a novel by someone who was there at the time....may I recommend "Reunion" by Fred Uhlman for a future snippet?
Reunion is fantastic…all comes together in the last line
Well this summary was gripping enough! I've definitely got this on my reading list now, thanks Sam.
It’s still relatively unknown in the English speaking world but I hope it gets more attention
I've watched each of your videos with my son and as soon as this one ended, he said "Best one yet".
Not sure if I have a favourite but did like this culminating in the Empathy Machine.
I may also have this as a sneaky favourite of my own so far :)
Maybe we should start a Portly Raven bookclub?
I am absolutely fascinated by this period of time and have read many books on the subject, mostly non-fiction thus far, but this book seems like a must-read. Anything that gives us a glimpse of life under the Nazi regime is important, especially in this age as we are witnessing what has eerie echoes of the type of extremism that sent Germany into the abyss. It just took one madman and a singular vision of purging the country of those he viewed as "degenerates" and rationalized their mass extermination . It's historically inaccurate to paint with a broad brush and believe that all citizens agreed with Hitler's madness, but as noted any dissent was meet with a retaliation that many ordinary citizens were not willing to take and remained silent. Those brave enough to protest in the own way knew the risks of their actions and oftentimes paid with their lives. It's a fascinating but tragic period of history.
Thank you for the thoughtful comment. It is chilling to see how some people haven’t learnt anything from this chapter of history, and you’re right - there are ‘eerie echoes’ in plenty of parts of the world. I think books like this help people realise that the conditions that give rise to someone like Hitler are not impossible to occur again
Well-worded and edited video essay!!! Not read this book but it's now on the list.
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it - preferably late at night..
I love this. I have read this book and really enjoyed it. The bits about the authors life help us to understand the context in which this was written. I also hadn't considered the real difference between reading a historical non fiction book and a novel by someone who was there at the time....may I recommend "Reunion" by Fred Uhlman for a future snippet?
Yes! Reunion is superb - maybe the best last line in a book …?
@@ThePortlyRaven that ...or Animal Farm..!
@@JodyCollins-u5m as much as I love Animal Farm, it’s difficult to know what new to say about something like that…it might be easier to go for slightly ‘deeper cuts’….not sure :)
@@ThePortlyRaven oh sorry I just meant Animal Farm also has a great final line....!
@@JodyCollins-u5m oh yes it absolutely does, my bad