The Third Reich: Politics and Propaganda [Paperback]

David Welch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0415275083 | ISBN-13: 978-0415275088 | Edition: 2

The Third Reich re-appraises one of the most closely studied issues in European history – the appeal of the Nazi party – and analyzes the reasons behind the remarkable and sustained success of National Socialism in Germany. David Welch challenges previously held assumptions about the effectiveness of Nazi Propaganda, summarizes the major current debate arguing that, in order to be successful, propaganda must preach to the partially converted.

This second edition brings the book up-to-date with a revised introduction and postscript to reflect the historiographical debates of the 1990s. It includes new material on many topics such as the continuities and discontinuities between Weimar and the Third Reich, the medium of radio, the 'Hitler myth', Nazi targeting of specific classes and social groups and racial purity.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'An excellent analysis of a complex subject, it is a worthy purchase.' - History Teaching Review

'This is a very welcome second edition of what has become a key text for all students of propaganda in general and the Third Reich in particular.' - History

About the Author

David Welch is at the University of Kent, Canterbury. He is the author of Hitler: Profile of a Dictator (Routledge, 2001) and the series editor for Routledge Sources in History.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 2 edition (June 2, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415275083
• ISBN-13: 978-0415275088
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #574,800 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting study., July 20, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Third Reich: Politics and Propaganda (Paperback)

The author analyzes Third Reich public opinion, politics, and propaganda to challenge some widely-held beliefs about the role and effectiveness of propaganda in reinforcing consensus the among the German people.
Viewing propaganda in the light of the total takeover of the media, the omnipresent atmosphere of terror, and the progressive madness of Nazi ideology, Welch inter alia finds that the support of the Nazis and the war was more apparent than real, and that Goebbels' campaigns became less effective as the war wore on.
Very readable; essential for students of the Third Reich, and the role of propaganda in the totalitarian state.
(The numerical rating above is a default setting within Amazon's format. This reviewer does not employ numerical ratings.)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, but loses steam, May 11, 2010

By 

Thomas W. Robinson (Dayton, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Third Reich: Politics and Propaganda (Paperback)

Welch, in a work that has been revised several times, has produced one of the best works on Nazi propaganda, its effectiveness, and how it was utilized. I felt the best aspect of the book was at the beginning as Welch described how propaganda was utilized by Joseph Goebbels and the Nazis in the late 1920s and early 1930s as they sought to gain power. Once they did gain control of the government, Welch has some really interesting chapters on Nazi propaganda in art, literature, and especially newspapers and the movies. I found these chapters to be fascinating and very well written. Welch also does a really good job of explaining how other historians have explained Nazi propaganda and its effectiveness and how his findings contrast. The only negative about the book is I felt it lost steam a bit when describing the war years, with the possible exception of Welch's discussion of Goebbels' attempts at mobilizing the German citizenry behind a "total war." All in all, I think this is probably one of the best works on Nazi propaganda and is required reading for anyone interested in Nazi Germany. I should note that the book is very well written and is quite readable.