Fur Volk and Fuhrer

The Memoir of a Veteran of the 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler

By: Erwin Bartmann, Derik Hammond

Narrated by: James Foster

Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Like many Germans, Berlin schoolboy Erwin Bartmann fell under the spell of the Zeitgeist cultivated by the Nazis. Convinced he was growing up in the best country in the world, he dreamt of joining the Leibstandarte, Hitler's elite Waffen SS unit. Tall, blond, blue-eyed, and just 17-years-old, Erwin fulfilled his dream on Mayday 1941, when he gave up his apprenticeship at the Glaser bakery in Memeler Strasse and walked into the Lichterfelde barracks in Berlin as a raw, volunteer recruit.

On arrival at the Eastern Front in late summer 1941, Erwin was assigned to a frontline communications squad and soon discovered that survival was a matter of luck - or the protection of a guardian angel. Good fortune finally deserted Erwin on 11 July 1943 when shrapnel sizzled through his lung during the epic Battle of Kursk-Prokhorovka. Following a period of recovery, and promotion to Unterscharführer, Erwin took up a post as machine-gun instructor with the Ausbildung und Ersatz Bataillon.

From the war on the southern sector of the Eastern Front to a bomb-shattered Berlin populated largely by old men and demoralized lonely women, this candid eyewitness account offers a unique and sometimes surprising perspective on the life of a young Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler volunteer.

©2013 Estate of Erwin Bartmann/Derik Hammond (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"This is a valuable memoir, providing both a good account of the nature of the fighting in the East, and the changing attitudes of the author, both towards the Nazi regime and the chances of final victory." ( History of War)

Entertaining listen. unsure of authenticity though

many "facts" mentioned in this book are historicaly inaccurate which unfortunately brings into question the entire authenticity of this book. perhaps at his ripe age he simply mistold parts of his story... but what seems certain to me is that this is a man in denial. For instance he mentions that concentration camp survivor's he met were fat. he does not mention the Nazis guilt until the epilaug.

Interesting story.

I enjoyed this book. A very good account of a soldier in the LSSAH. The narrator had good tone and pacing.

Amazing

This was an amazing memoir of someone who had voluntarily joined the Waffen-SS over originally being placed in a Flak unit. It details his life from being a young kid and seeing SA members marching in the streets to him being a captive in a allied POW camp which was difficult as well seeing by the end of the war, being in the SS could have meant death in the POW camps by your fellow Germans. I was definitely not disappointed with this at all.

view of the war from a field commander

was nice hearing about the war from the view of a German soldier who was in Africa and Russia campaigns

The Ost Front

Where does Fur Volk and Fuhrer rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Close to the top in books about the Second World War.The best and most honest book about the Russian Front.

What other book might you compare Fur Volk and Fuhrer to and why?

It is the best book on the Russian front I've seen .The Forgotten Solider is another good book about the Russian.

Have you listened to any of James Foster’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the best of his books I have listened to.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The honesty of this book .

Any additional comments?

For those who like personal accounts of the common solider this a book for you

Very little combat , still worth the read though

If you're looking for the combat POV style book then this is not for you. Overall it was a good story though and gave you a thorough understanding of German life during WWII. I would still recommend this book, but just know its not a lot of action.

Incredible Biography

What did you love best about Fur Volk and Fuhrer?

Totally absorbing - did not want to turn it off. Cant believe the author is 88 years old.

story of comradeship

outstanding story of comradeship devotion to duty and honor. The lasting effects of war on the side that lost.

A really good book

I really loved this book and couldn't put it down. it was very interesting to listen to a story from the German perspective and particularly an ss soldier. it has pretty detailed accounts about the authors combat experience

Wow what a ride

These guys had a life not many will experience. Hell on the eastern front with sex strewn about. No doubt there are many men now forgotten whose stories we would die for.