May 10, 1933 – Joseph Goebbles’ Diary
Tonight the era of Jewish intellectualism was committed to flames
guaranteeing the brilliant youth of Germany will not be molded by books,
but through man’s character.
From the wreckage of subversive literature,
the phoenix of a new spirit will triumphantly rise.
Now our youth can face the pitiless glare and regain respect for death.
May 10, 1933 Erich Kästner’s Diary
Tonight I witnessed members of the National Socialist Agenda
burn ten copies of “Emil und die Detektive”.
I was pleased to find my books in good company – burning beside
missives written by Hellen Keller, Ernest Hemingway, and H.G. Wells.
(A bit of background: Erich Kästner was a German satirist, poet and novelist whose military experiences made him a pacifist after World War I. He was present when his book “Emil und Die Detektive” was burned at one of the Nazi book burnings. In spite of pressure from the Nazis, Kästner refused membership in the Reich Chamber of Literature, controlled by Goebbels’s propaganda ministry. Unlike several other intellectuals and writers who suffered from Nazi policy, Kästner remained in Germany during Hitler’s rule.
I created Goebbles’ diary entry from a speech he gave to students in Berlin.)
Up From the Ashes 
What a lovely dream that one day you would keep company with the masters, even as they burn. Very enjoyable!
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Thanks, Leona. Crazy, too, that so many masters would be destroyed.
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I like your two contrasting diary entries. Strong ideas – gripping stuff.
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Thank you, Margaret. I was trying to bring a little light and strength into a dark time.
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Wow – this was a great price. The second entry gave an excellent insight into the strength of character you’ve imbued Kastner with – a dry, unyielding wit.
Fantastic.
KT
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Thanks! I hope he would have reacted this way.
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I love the two different diary entries showing their opposing views.
I’ve read that book and also Emil and the Three Twins (not sure how or why I came to read them, or in which language!) and I seem to recall I liked them, so he deserves his place with the masters, though it’s terrible that it had to be at a book burning.
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Yes. I actually hadn’t heard of him before. Was doing research on Nazi book burnings and found him listed among the names and thought he was a very brave soul. Thanks for ready. Alicia
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Between you and Rochelle, some dark and troubling images of a time that still feels frighteningly close.
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Oh, yes. Thanks and congratulations, sweetie.
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Great contrast and chilling piece. Thanks, Alicia!
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Thank you, Perry.
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Very powerful piece, the contrast between the two reactions was both sharp, and yet at the same time left the reader with a sense of just satisfaction. Nicely done.
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Wow! Thanks, Sandra. I just got back from a week of Thanksgiving celebrations in a couple of different cities so am behind on FF. Will be reading more submissions today. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.
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Dear Alicia,
We’re most definitely joined at the hip on the path we took this week. Very well done.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle.
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Dear Alicia,
A very thought provoking story this week. Creative, imaginative and impactful. Yours is the kind of story that gets burned. Very well done.
Aloha,
Doug
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Thank you, Doug – I think. : – ).
I sent your website address to my sisters who both love astrology and geology, anthropology and archaeology (all the “ly” sciences) as much as I do. They, too, loved the video of your scientific lounge chair. Cheers!
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Hope we all are spared from such fires of hate…
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Oh, me, too, Anita. Thanks for reading and commenting – I appreciate it.
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Great idea for a format and I love the content.
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Thanks, Dawn. Since I posted later than usual and had no appointments, I had more time to research and think . . . Glad you liked the format. I appreciate your comments.
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A very interesting contrast between the two diary entries. The first one don’t half get my heckles up. The second is much more agreeable. Well written
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Thank you for the wonderful comment.
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As we say in basketball, “SLAM DUNK!” This was brilliant and ingenious, Alicia! Absolutely AWESOME. Five book markers!
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Thank you! I can always you more bookmarkers. I ALWAYS appreciate you stopping by. Hope your Thanksgiving was grand.
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A very well told story from two entirely different perspectives. I hope that when they burn my book it will be in the company of the works of Mark Twain, Dave Barry, and Patrick McManus.
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Those authors would all be grand company! Thanks for stopping by to comment. Alicia
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Yes this was indeed a great contrast.. I read Emil and the detectives as a kid, and enjoyed it a lot..
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Thank you, Bjorn. Now that I’ve written about it, I must read it. Hope you’re staying warm.
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A great way of telling the story and contrasting the views of the burned and the burner. I am chilled by the words ‘… regain respect for death.’ coming from Goebbels’ mouth, even if fictionalised.
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He actually did say that in a speech. Scary, yes? Thanks for reading.
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The varying thoughts depicted here show how one’s believes take hold of one’s mind. Powerful, and very well penned. 🙂
-HA
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Thank you. Training can do horrid or wonderful things. Alicia
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Alicia, What a scary time that was. We have to be watchful so it doesn’t happen again in the free countries. This thinking still exists in some parts of the world. Your research made the story come alive. Well written. — Susan
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Susan – thanks for taking the time to read and comment. Somehow I feel we haven’t learned from history. Sad. Alicia
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Another sad bit of history. I loved how you wrote the story and how you ended it.
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Thank you!
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