"Promise Me You'll Shoot Yourself"

The Mass Suicide of Ordinary Germans in 1945

By: Florian Huber

Narrated by: Sam Peter Jackson

Named a Best History Book of 2019 by The Times (UK)

The astounding true story of how thousands of ordinary Germans, overcome by shame, guilt, and fear, killed themselves after the fall of the Third Reich and the end of World War II.

By the end of April 1945 in Germany, the Third Reich had fallen and invasion was underway. As the Red Army advanced, horrifying stories spread about the depravity of its soldiers. For many German people, there seemed to be nothing left but disgrace and despair. For tens of thousands of them, the only option was to choose death - for themselves and for their children.

"Promise Me You'll Shoot Yourself" recounts this little-known mass event. Using diaries, letters, and memoirs, historian Florian Huber traces the euphoria of many ordinary Germans as Hitler restored national pride; their indifference as the Führer's political enemies, Jews, and other minorities began to suffer; and the descent into despair as the war took its terrible toll, especially after the invasion of the Soviet Union. Above all, he investigates how suicide became a contagious epidemic as the country collapsed.

Drawing on eyewitness accounts and other primary sources, "Promise Me You'll Shoot Yourself" presents a riveting portrait of a nation in crisis, and sheds light on a dramatic yet largely unknown episode of postwar Germany.

©2020 Florian Huber (P)2020 Little, Brown Spark

Critic reviews

"Gripping ... Huber tells the shocking stories of ordinary German suicides with literary power and skill, making excellent use of unknown material." (Richard Evans, The Guardian)

"Vivid and disturbing...Though the topic is relentlessly grim, Huber portrays his subjects with empathy and offers key insights into the German mindset before, during, and after WWII. Readers will be convinced that reckoning with the war's legacy requires studying this underexamined tragedy." (Publishers Weekly)

"A remarkable book -- grim and fascinating. Florian Huber tells the story well." (Robbie Millen, The Times)

Treasure trove of perspective

I was longing to read about WW2 from the everyday German point of view. This book nailed it. It gives a summary and then delves into several German folks lives pre, during, and post war. I had no idea that suicide was so rampant especially in the East when the Russians were advancing. Recommend again and again.

Insight on human capitulation and dispair

I couldnt put this down - not only did I gain access to unspoken diaries of personal tragedy, but also received important historical context. I finish by being thankful for living in the USA....its hard to fathom such a barbaric time.

Harrowing and Enlightening Book with Terrific Narration!!

Absolutely worth a listen. Detailed, intense, and important information you probably haven’t heard or read before. Superb narration.

Eye opener

Perhaps the best story written on this particular time in German history.
Nothing is held back and leaves you with few questions about the mindset of the German people during the last weeks of the war.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’ve read countless books about World War II, but "Promise Me You'll Shoot Yourself" offered an outlook I had never considered—the aftermath in Germany and the fate of its people post-war. This book sheds light on a harrowing and little-known aspect of history: the mass suicides of ordinary Germans after their defeat.

What struck me was the desperation and confusion among those who never planned for defeat. The young teens, brainwashed by Nazi propaganda, found themselves lost and unable to cope without the rigid discipline they once knew, leading them to tragic ends.

The book also delves into the guilt and horror felt by civilians who had ignored the whispers of atrocities, only to face the harsh reality and choose death over living with the truth. The fear of the advancing Red Army and the atrocities that accompanied their arrival pushed many to take their own lives and those of their families, including children and infants.

The scale of the suicides is staggering and heart-wrenching. Tens of thousands took their lives for various reasons, all tied to the devastating impact of war. This book is an eye-opener, presenting a horrifying and complex picture of why so many felt their only option was suicide.

Overall, "Promise Me You'll Shoot Yourself" is a gripping and thought-provoking read. It's horrifying to consider all the different reasons behind these tragic decisions, but it’s essential for understanding the full scope of WWII's impact.

This book should be required reading for anyone that seeks to understand how ordinary people could be transformed into monsters.

Or were they? The author doesn’t seek to excuse anyone or to pass blame. It’s merely a case of how people went from a to b to c to z. This book shows how it wasn’t a simple transformation but a well thought out cult and manipulation of an entire country. A country whose people were already on the edge emotionally due to years of deprivation and extreme hardship. No excuses for atrocities. Not at all. More of a map. A map of “they started off here, then this happened and they went there. Then the more vulnerable ones ended up over there.” Etc. The “Leader’s” scorched earth policy left no room for post war recovery. The emotional health of the people was never a consideration. It was going to end up like this. Despite human survival instinct. It’s a must read, in my opinion.

Stop and think

The title is tough to get around, it does make sense though. I encouraged myself to keep an open mind and maintain a level of curiosity. I would encourage any reader/listener to do the same. Remember to pause and think about what was shared. I believe learning the information that is shared and putting it context for our modern day could benefit everyone.

Hard to be Sympathetic

The audiobook was fine, but I just couldn’t feel all that sorry for literal nazis. I just didn’t care. Oh, boo hoo, your racist and antisemitic world view ended up being a scam. Cry me a river. Imagine being so upset that you couldn’t subjugate people that you take your own life.

It just didn’t feel like anyone actually felt remorse. The book is mostly trying to explain away the antisemitism—like they all just got caught up in the moment. Whoopsie! Except, of course, for the seven million dead because they apparently were just so swept up in hitler fever. It’s so dumb