Göring: A Biography

David Irving's biography of Hermann Göring draws from primary sources and archival materials to examine the life of Nazi Germany's second-in-command. The book covers Göring's path from World War I fighter ace to his role as Hitler's designated successor and head of the Luftwaffe. The narrative traces Göring's personal relationships, political maneuvering, and lifestyle, including his art collecting and morphine addiction. Irving reconstructs Göring's day-to-day activities through official records, diaries, and testimonies from those who knew him. Irving gives particular focus to Göring's military and economic decisions during World War II, his control of the German air force, and his interactions with other Nazi leaders. The text incorporates transcripts from the Nuremberg trials and previously unpublished correspondence. This biography presents a complex portrait of power, ambition, and moral failure within the Nazi regime's inner circle. Through Göring's story, broader questions emerge about the nature of complicity and the intersection of personal charisma with political evil.

Readers note Irving's deep research and access to primary sources, including Goering's personal papers and family documents. Many highlight the detailed portrayal of Goering's personality, habits, and relationships beyond his Nazi role. Readers appreciated: - Personal accounts from Goering's widow Emmy and his staff - Coverage of his early life and WWI career - Documentation of his art collecting and lifestyle - Balance between personal narrative and historical events Common criticisms: - Irving's perceived sympathetic treatment of Goering - Downplaying of certain Nazi atrocities - Focus on personality over wartime decisions - Questionable historical interpretations Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (357 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (89 reviews) Reader feedback: "Incredibly detailed but too forgiving" - Goodreads reviewer "Strong on personal details, weak on critical analysis" - Amazon reviewer "Important historical record despite the author's biases" - LibraryThing user

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Joseph Goebbels: A Biography by Peter Longerich This biography draws from Goebbels' extensive diaries to reveal the inner workings of the Nazi leadership from the perspective of another central figure in Hitler's government.

Hitler: A Biography by Ian Kershaw This biographical work explores Hitler's relationship with his top lieutenants and provides context for understanding Göring's position within the Nazi regime.

The Last 100 Days: The Tumultuous and Controversial Story of the Final Days of World War II in Europe by John Toland This account focuses on the collapse of Nazi Germany and includes details about Göring's final power play against Hitler and subsequent capture by Allied forces.

🔹 Hermann Göring obsessively documented his life through photographs, creating an extensive personal archive that Irving was able to access and use extensively in the biography. 🔹 The author conducted over 200 interviews with people who knew Göring personally, including his widow Emmy Göring and his daughter Edda. 🔹 During his research, Irving discovered that Göring had maintained a secret art collection in Austria, hidden in a remote salt mine, containing hundreds of looted masterpieces. 🔹 The book reveals that Göring was addicted to paracodeine pills, taking up to 100 tablets a day by 1945, which significantly affected his decision-making abilities during the war. 🔹 While controversial for his later works, Irving's Göring biography was initially well-received by historians when published in 1989 due to its extensive use of primary sources and previously unpublished materials.