OK, I overstated a bit... but this photo reminds me of a good German... Viktor Klemperer, father of Werner... AMAZING diaries document his life under the Nazis... he was only spared because he had married a gentile/German wife. About the Author A professor of Romance languages in Dresden, Victor Klemperer wrote several major works on seventeenth- and eighteenth-century French literature before he was expelled from his post in 1935. He lived through the war in Dresden with his wife, Eva. Klemperer's secret diaries were thought for many years to have been lost or suppressed by the Com-munist authorities of East Germany, where Klemperer lived after the war. He wife deposited them after his death in 1960 in the Dresden Landesarchiv, where they remained until they were uncovered by Victor Nowojski, a former pupil, who edited and transcribed them for publication in Germany. Their reception there was a national event. The diaries have been translated into twelve languages. From Library Journal-- The second volume of Klemperer's Holocaust diary is even more compelling than the first (LJ 10/15/98). As one of 198 surviving Dresden Jews, Klemperer offers unique, keenly felt observations of daily horror. But the book succeeds not only because it bears witness to the Holocaust: it also provides the best snapshot of life on the German home front available in English. Entries focus on the daily affronts to Jewish dignity. Two moving entries, for example, describe the Klemperers' response to the Nazi order forbidding Jews to own pets; his description of putting down their cat isn't at all trite. The final portion tells of his family's flight during the Third Reich's death spasms and the journey home on foot after V-E Day. It is a testament to Klemperer's determination that the diaries are complete. If the Gestapo had caught him writing them, he would have been instantly deported. In the end, he only escaped that fate because the Allies bombed Dresden the day he was to report for deportation, and he managed to flee in the confusion. Although the two volumes should be kept together, this book can certainly stand alone. An essential purchase for any library.
Since Manny said he didn't know Heidi Klum was German...some links for those who might be interested. 38 German-Americans and their contribution to the development of the United States (among them Levi Strauss (the Jeans guy), Albert Einstein, Marlene Dietrich, Dwight Eisenhower, Henry Kissinger) The German Hollywood Connection Some famous actors whose roots at least are somewhere from Germany or Austria - mentions Fred Astaire (born as "Fred Austerlitz"), Leonardo di Caprio, Johnny Weissmuller (Tarzan), Schwarzenegger (of course...), Billy Wilder...I know Sandra Bullock is also part German and Bruce Willis was born in Germany, if I am not mistaken. I will not mention Siegfried and Roy as they are rather embarrassing (poor Roy...)... Anyway, as long as you all remember that the BEST GERMAN OF ALL TIME IS SIR JACKIE CHILES...everything is fine .
Bismarck was 9th in the poll (which is of course for entertainment only and not to be taken seriously...). Extremely low. I would say we have a very tolerant society. People learn a lot about the 3rd Reich in high school, and for many students, visits to former concentration camps are a mandatory part of their education. It is a little bit different in the east of Germany, where, during the reign of communism, people basically went from one dictatorship (the 3rd Reich) to another (communism) and where people learned a lot less about the cruelties of the 3rd Reich and have also had less contact with people from other countries (as most of them were not really allowed to travel at all). I think xenophobia is a bit stronger in the former East Germany, and there have been some single regrettable incidents over there where people of a different skin color have been attacked because of their skin color. I suspect that percentage-wise, this still happens far less than in other countries, though, including the US. To put it into perspective, some incidents happened some years ago where homes for refugees were put on fire by right-wing arsonists, which led to widespread protests and there were huge demonstrations against xenophobia with hundreds of thousands of people joining. Still, overall, extreme right wing parties get less than 1 % of the vote now in Germany, compared to much higher numbers for instance in France, where these kinds of political parties actually had the majority in some quite important cities (Toulon). Anyway, it was not really my intention to derail my own thread with these explanations, and I still think it was unnecessary and somewhat stupid to bring up Adolf, but since you asked.
I realize the mention of Hitler brings up some seriously bad feelings, but not being privy to German feelings and attitudes, I would also have been interested to know what the average person on the street's attitude towards him was. Absolutely no disrepect intended of course...
The average person on the street in Germany thinks he is the worst man that ever lived. I think that would answer your question. Glad you realize it was stupid, Smeg , as this thread was supposed to be a funny one about the absurdity of finding the "best" German, and Adolf would definitely not merit consideration. There isn't even a comparison in the US or Australia for lack of magnitude of the crime, but it is kind of like saying who was the best American, and then someone asking, yes, but what about Jeffrey Dahmer or what about some other mass murderer like Martin Bryant in Australia, the guy who killed 35 people in Port Arthur in 1996. It was just a stupid comment, just think before you type.
Now Jackie, I am not condoning what Smeg said about Hitler, but come on, man. Anyone who is not from Germany always wonders about that. Yes, we all know how despicable he is, but it is like people in Germany want to sweep him and Nazism under the rug, and you can't do that. No matter how hard you try, he is always going to be talked about because he is a part of history albeit in a very bad way. It is like someone asking boville or someone else here from Spain about Franco. I mean he was a despicable human being, but he is a part of Spain's history and like Hitler in a very negative way.
kinda like that old expression..(paraphrased) those who dont know their history are doomed to repeat it. One thing I did learn from this thread...I was not aware that it was required for schoolchildren to visit the camps...I agree with this, make sure they know from an early age what horrors come from not being vigilant about your leaders. anyway...enough of this .I would hate for this to get moved to the Dungeon of Debate.
thanks SJC for the advice, not suprisingly i will completely ignore your advice there was nothing in any way stupid about what i posted, i certainly wouldn't be offended and so put out if someone had posted Martin Bryants name as you suggested, one suspects it is your thought processes that need examining
That's a dumb comment (by the way, perhaps a moderator wishes to move this thread to the D&D by now). "It is like people in Germany want to sweep him and Nazism under the rug, and you can't do that." So where did you get that bold assumption from, considering that you have never been to Germany, as far as I know, and have no idea how extensively the subject is covered in schools, media etc.? We have no problem talking about it, on the contrary, at least in West Germany, we grew up constantly treating the subject in school, we had to see pictures from concentration camps etc. etc. So, with all due respect, how do you dare make a statement like "it is like people in Germany want to sweep him under the rug"? Basically, sorry, but you have no idea and are talking out of your ass. This thread was not about German history in general, in which case it would certainly have been legitimate to bring up Hitler, but it was on a light-hearted note about the "best German" - and to bring up Hitler in this context is just plain stupid, even if it was meant to be a joke, as indicated by the smiley. I realize some people cannot understand how this can be offensive, but let me assure you that it is, as it implies that whatever the context when it comes to talking about Germans, Hitler needs to be brought up, which is not fair. If you are "wondering about that", we can gladly open a separate thread in the D&D forum where I can give you more information, but making the connection from the best Germans to Hitler in this thread was unnecessary and stupid.
So there is nothing in any way stupid about suggesting Hitler should merit consideration for the best German? Well, then I cannot help you.
wasn't asking help from you pal It was a simple question, partly tongue in cheek but mostly inquisitive as i am not that clear on the current political environment in Germany/Europe, just to see if there was still any support/fascism still in germany, and also because some historians although not supporting Hitlers actions, find his war strategies and ability to gain support and rise to power quite brilliant...... that's all, just a question and bam that set you off, wow, very surprising perhaps it is time to start a thread on the most highly strung German.....................
please don't sit at the computer pressing send and receive, you should read my previous post, hopefully that calms things some, but alas an apology it is not.
