When reading about any historical topic, it is prudent to read without prejudice ie. without first having decided what your opinion is about that particular topic.
This point was driven home to me recently when I started reading "Albert Speer: The End of a Myth" by Matthias Schmidt.
For years, I have had a very positive opinion of Albert Speer, the former Nazi Minister of Armaments who at the end of the war was the only Nazi who regretted his Nazi role and seemed penitent about his involvement.
However, this book by Schmidt exposes that Speer may have carefully constructed an image of himself as being a technocrat who had very little political ambitions, who was more interested in serving the interests of Germany rather than his own or Nazi interests.
As reviewed by noted historian William Shirer:
"A most valuable antidote to Speer's memoirs ("Inside the Third Reich"). I was somewhat taken aback at how many reviewers of Speer's books took the man at his word, unable to see how self-serving he had been. This book should correct many false impressions. At the same time, it is fair to Speer, recognizing his achievements but exploding the myth."
I highly recommend the Schmidt book to anyone who has either read any of Speer's books or seen his interviews in various war documentaries.
Colin
Combat Films and Books
Combat-Blog
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