Bibliograph

The work I did, a memoir of the secretary to Goebbels, Brunhilde Pomsel, Thore D. Hansen ; translated by Shaun Whiteside

Type

Label

The work I did, a memoir of the secretary to Goebbels, Brunhilde Pomsel, Thore D. Hansen ; translated by Shaun Whiteside

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references and index

resource.biographical

contains biographical information

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

The work I did

Nature of contents

bibliography

Responsibility statement

Brunhilde Pomsel, Thore D. Hansen ; translated by Shaun Whiteside

Sub title

a memoir of the secretary to Goebbels

Summary

Brunhilde Pomsel described herself as an 'apolitical girl' and a 'figure on the margins'. How are we to reconcile this description with her chosen profession? Employed as a typist during the Second World War, she worked closely with one of the worst criminals in world history: Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels. She was one of the oldest surviving eyewitnesses to the internal workings of the Nazi power apparatus until her death in 2017. Her life, mirroring all the major breaks and continuities of the twentieth century, illustrates how far-right politics, authoritarian regimes and dictatorships can rise and how political apathy can erode democracy. Compelling and unnerving, The Work I Did gives us intimate insight into political complexity at society's highest levels at one of history's darkest moments

Table Of Contents

'We weren't interested in politics' Growing up in 1930s Berlin -- 'Hitler was simply just a new man' Joining the Reichsrundfunk -- 'It was a bit of an elite' Promotion to the Propaganda Ministry -- 'Loyal to the end' The last days in the Propaganda Ministry -- 'We knew nothing' Arrest and new beginning -- 'I wasn't guilty' The CV of a 103-year-old woman -- What the story of Goebbels's secretary teaches us for the future / Thore D. Hansen

Target audience

adult

Contributor

Creator