Customer Reviews

Angels of Death: Goering's Luftwaffe

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Hoyt states at the beginning of this book that there are serveral good books about Goering and that this book was about the Luftwaffe. Then he details the life of Goering and his role in the Air Service. This is more a book about Goering, than it is a book about the Luftwaffe. That stated, it is a good introductary text on Goering and his Luftwaffe.
I like Hoyt's writing, but this book was only an average read. The subject is not covered in detail. Hoyt covers the main subjects: Goering's subservience to Hitler, his promises, the poor leadership of Udet and Kesslering, the lack of long range bombers, etc. I learned a few things from this book. The reason why Sweden was not invaded had a lot to do with Goering's promises to that country. There are other interesting tidbits of info in this book. However, this book does not cover this subject in detail. Otherwise, an average read.

The first third of the book is not about the Luftwaffe at all, but rather the Nazis' rise to power. It is almost too easily-digestible, but if one needs a fast-reading primer (as opposed to wading through "rise-and-fall-of-the-third-reich" type books), it could serve. It is a non-biography in the sense that you're looking at Goering from 3 miles away instead of 1 foot away -- i.e., you don't really come to know the man intimately. The Luftwaffe portion of the book is no more than a backgrounder, but could be useful if that's all you need.

I am in total agreement with the reviewer who points out that the author, in both his choice of title and in the Preface, suggests this is more about the Luftwaffe than it is its commander - and then proceeds to tell Goering's life story.

The picture on the cover shows two Ju-87 Stukas in formation, yet in the book he gives only passing mention to the incredible exploits on the Eastern Front of that greatest Stuka pilot of them all, Hans Ulrich Rudel. In fact, there's nothing at all on leading air aces like Erich Hartmann, Gunther Ral, Gerhard Barkhorn, Walter Nowotny, Johannes Steinhoff, the flamboyant Hans-Joachim Marseille, and other such personalities. These WERE Goering's Luftwaffe.

Nor is there anything substantial in the way of aircraft development and descriptions, nor Luftwaffe glossary explaining the meaning of things like flieger [flier or pilot or airman], fuhrungsstab [ops staff], jabo [jagdbomber or fighter-bomber], etc.

It's simply another account of the life and career of Goering, a story done much better, in my opinion anyway, in any one of several other books, among which my favourite is Goring by David Irving. And if it's the Luftwaffe you're interested in, seek out The Luftwaffe, 1933-45: Strategy For Defeat by Williamson Murray. Those two together will tell most of what you wish to know about Hitler's air arm.