Joseph Goebbels's story delves into the life of the infamous Nazi politician who wielded propaganda as a powerful weapon in the service of Adolf Hitler's regime. As Gauleiter of Berlin, chief propagandist for the Nazi Party, and later Reich Minister of Propaganda, Goebbels was a key architect of the Nazi narrative, using his skills in public speaking to spread virulent antisemitism and advance the party's agenda.
Born a philologist with aspirations of becoming an author, Goebbels joined the Nazi Party in 1924, rising through the ranks with a keen interest in propaganda. After the Nazis seized power in 1933, his Propaganda Ministry assumed control over media, arts, and information, with Goebbels adeptly utilizing radio and film for disseminating party propaganda. The book explores Goebbels's role in shaping public opinion, promoting antisemitism, and manipulating information during World War II.
In the twilight of the war, as Nazi Germany faced defeat, Goebbels took on the role of Reich Plenipotentiary for Total War. The narrative unfolds with the descent into the underground bunkers of Berlin, where Goebbels and his wife Magda, in a final act of loyalty, committed suicide along with their six children, following Hitler's demise.
This comprehensive biography unravels the enigmatic figure of Joseph Goebbels, shedding light on the dark art of propaganda that played a pivotal role in the Nazi machinery.