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Nazi Wives

The Women at the Top of Hitler's Germany

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Nazi Wives

By: James Wyllie
Narrated by: Dalya Raphael
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Nazi Wives explores these women in detail for the first time, skilfully interweaving their stories through years of struggle, power, decline and destruction into the post-war twilight of denial and delusion.

Goering, Goebbels, Himmler, Heydrich, Bormann, Hess – names synonymous with power and influence in the Third Reich. Perhaps less familiar are Carin, Emmy, Magda, Margaret, Lina, Gerda and Ilse … These are the women behind the infamous men – complex individuals with distinctive personalities who were captivated by Hitler and whose everyday lives were governed by Nazi ideology. Throughout the rise and fall of Nazism these women loved and lost, raised families and quarrelled with their husbands, all the while jostling for position with the mighty Führer himself. And yet they have been treated as minor characters, their significance ignored, as if they were unaware of their husband’s murderous acts, despite the evidence that was all around them: the stolen art on their walls, the slave labour in their homes, and the produce grown in concentration camps on their tables.

“Wyllie tells the stories of the wives of Goering, Goebbels, Himmler and others...a distinctive prism through which to view the period." -THE GUARDIAN Europe Germany Military Women World Marriage War
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Although the subject content of this book, Nazism, is the most contemptible, I loved this book. It was expertly performed, and the content was fascinating and illuminating; I learned a lot about the time period covered, Nazisim, and most of all, these Nazi women to whom life and history have been far too kind. Although they were all living miserable lives in many ways, they were mostly left to live a normal life after the trials convicting their husbands of war crimes.

I thank the author for writing such a comprehensive view of these women, because they were instrumental in the most elite extended family substitute that surrounded and nurtured Hitler. Listening on Audible, this book is a virtual page turner.

Great enough to read twice in a row

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So interesting I couldn’t put it down . I’ve wanted to read/listen to these stories forever. First comprehensive interrogation of the personalities behind the women of the Third Reich I’ve found. Just loved it.

Brilliant

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my first listen regarding the women surrounding Hitler. a goodinsight of facts.... enjoyable listen... well read..

fascinating

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have listened to/read many books on the Nazis. This takes a different perspective, obviously looking at the wives on the important figures within the Nazi party. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to, and finding out about the different wives. The book is well read too! Would highly recommend, especially since it is free on Audible!

Loved this book!

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The nazis during the 1930/40's fascinate me. This different view coming from their wives etc has been really good.

A different view

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