Goebbels: A Biography

By: Peter Longerich, Alan Bance - translator, Jeremy Noakes - translator, Lesley Sharpe - translator

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

As a young man, Joseph Goebbels was a budding narcissist with a constant need of approval. Through political involvement he found personal affirmation within the German National Socialist Party. In this comprehensive volume, Peter Longerich documents Goebbels' descent into anti-Semitism and ideology and ascent through the ranks of the Nazi party, where he became an integral member of Hitler's inner circle and where he shaped a brutal campaign of Nazi propaganda.

In life and in his grisly family suicide, Goebbels was one of Hitler's most loyal acolytes. Though powerful in the party and in wartime Germany, Longerich's Goebbels is a man dogged by insecurities and consumed by his fierce adherence to the Nazi cause. Longerich engages and challenges the careful self-portrait that Goebbels left behind in his diaries, and, as he delves deep into the mind of Hitler's master propagandist, Longerich discovers firsthand how the Nazi message was conceived. This complete portrait of the man behind the message is sure to become a standard for historians and students of the Holocaust for years to come.

©2015 Original material by Peter Longerich. Recorded by arrangement with Random House, a division of Random House LLC. (P)2015 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Great study of a truly sick man

I've read several tomes on Nazi Germany. This is definitely a valuable contribution to the analysis of how a civilized nation could succumb to murderous fanatics. The author probes Goebbels' diaries in parallel with news reports, other historical documents and more to try to understand how Goebbels, head of propaganda, could become what he became and do what he did.

Compare and Contrast

The current events of the United States seem familiar to 1930’s Germany. These books on the Nazi leaders, who they were, how the got into power should be a warning for everyone.

Well written and well performed listen so the word won’t forget.

Excellent Biography

And Prebble is among the very best narrators! Learned a great deal from listening to Noakes fascinating account of Goebbels' life.

An intimate account

A thorough analysis of the propaganda minister and his relationships. First, about the narration, it is blissfully free from the common mispronunciations that plague most Third Reich audiobooks. Prebble does a wonderful job. This chronicle explores the actions and literary leavings of Goebbels and is so full of direct references that it threatens to be an autobiography. This is expertly balanced by simultaneous reports from other viewpoints that reveal insights that would be lost were one to only read Goebbels’ documents alone. I believe that this book represents real historical scholarship and would be overwhelming had the author less skill. I feel that even a novice to the period would come away with a clear understanding of the man and his time. Highly recommended.

A picture of one of Hitler's most loyal supporters

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would for the history.

What other book might you compare Goebbels: A Biography to and why?

It is just as good, no, better then the 3 volume biography on Hitler.

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

I have. One of his best in my oppinion.

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

Not that I can remember.

Any additional comments?

A must-have for any history buffs like myself.