Today there was a sale of second hand WWII books in a little store in Holland. It was a so called shop window sale. That means that the whole week people can look in the shop window and on friday thay can buy it. But there was a big problem according to Dutch journalist because there was a book about the SS and some records with Hitlers's picture. For two days a newspaper wrote about it and todat there was radio, newspaper and televison around the store. And what did the shop actually sell? Almost all books were from after the war about all kinds of subjects (not only german or SS). This was really ridiculous. Stevin and I were in the shop to look for some nice books but found nothing really special. I didn't see television today maybe we were on it! It only made me realize that a lot of people think strange (and wrong) about our hobby.
Have to agree with you my friend. Sad but true... Case in point: about 2 or so years ago--I went into our local Barnes and Nobles Bookstore to look for new books to get. OK, I foung a few books and had them with me and I wanted to know if other titles were available from a list I had with me. OK--there wasa new Sales Associate at the store--an older red-haired lady. Mind you--the store was somewhat crowded--people everywhere and within just a few feet of you. We go to one of their computers and I start rattling off titles for her to look up--we look up 3-4 titles all having to do with the Waffen SS. She then gets this wierd look and turns to me and says--loudly I might add..... "Are you a NAZI?" ((I dont know if she did this intentionally to embarass me or not--and several nearby people turned around and looked at me)) I took out my wallet as I said: "Im a Card Carrying Nazi" and I took out one of the Business Cards that I had stashed in my wallet. I turned it to show her my "Nazi Membership" card and all nearby people were staring. Then they laughed when they realized I was only kidding--and they saw that my "Nazi Membership" card was nothing but a card from an Electrical Shop. In other words--it turned around on her for trying to embarass me. Needless to say--it didnt work and I continued to ask her to look up titles to do with the SS. THATS how one handles a situation like that---and wins.
One of the reasons why I never got "Mein Kampf" or "Communist Manifesto". My dad always says its good to read books like that to educate yourself, but I'm always worried people will see me as a Commie or Nazi which I am not. Greg
Yeah, I completely understand the point, but I've come to the realizatioin that I don't care. My friends know how I am, and I really don't care what people besides my friends think anyway. If someone were to pull the "are you a nazi" thing mentioned above, I'd have done the exact same thing. Yeah, I'm a nazi, right lady. If someone is that concerned about what's on my bookshelf, they can ask and I'll say I"m into history. If they don't understand I'll tell them in GI fashion exactly where they can go. BUUUTTTT, I guess I just have a little bit of a bad attitude about that
Hell guys, I had to explain to my new wife to stop telling the stepkid's I like Hitler! Funny how some people think just because you have an interest in military history and WWII any book with Hitler's name in it is a good gift! I told her after last Xmas to stop buying me books, because frankly I don't care to read about Hitler's homosexual tendencies (can't even remember the name of that book she bought me), Hitler's Pope the Xmas before, still haven't cracked it. Sure I'm interested somewhat in what made him tick, but I'd rather read about campaigns/battles small unit actions etc. No Senator Macarthy, I am not currently, nor have I ever been a member of the Nazi party!
Hi Greg--I have a copy of Mein Kampf somewhere--my mother had bought it back in the 1970s. If you wanna know what maked Hitler tick--thats one book to read. Also--dont let other judge what books you wish to read. I fully agree with Docs post--I dont care what someone things about me because I love to read history--and things about Germany. Its none of their business what you choose to read. As I read on other topics not to do with war or history--that too isnt any of their business either. EVERY time I go into Barnes and Nobles--knowing that I will be there at least 3 hrs or so--I purposely get about 8 books from the ww2 shelves that show somekind of German symbol or has something to do with Hitler or the Waffen SS. Occasionally I get a stare--but I stare back. 99% of the time--these books will be conversation starters and I have met many nice people there and became friends with a few BECAUSE of these books. Cases in point: One time I was there--I was sitting at a table doing some reading and two Naval Pilots came up to me and we started talking about the war--personalities etc. Today im friends with both of them. More recently I met a local Judge and a Millionnaire. I was sitting in the Cafe ares in the store reading and the Judge started asking me questions--it turns out that he is a militaria collector--his father served in ww2--in the German Army. This judge STILL has all of his fathers items. He was interested in what good books to buy to read--and I went and picked out 10 books I liked and some of which I have in my collection. Know what he did after looking at the ones I selected?........................................ He went to the front counter abd bought every single book I picked out for him--about $300.00 worth. I told him the first I would read would be SOLDAT, then Panzer Aces, Infantry Aces, Berlin Dance of Death, The Blond Knight of Germany--etc. He said it might take him quite awhile to read but he will read them all. This happened about two weeks ago--I saw him again about 2 days ago--he said he already read SOLDAT and Panzer Aces and was now reading Infantry Aces. I was and am impressed. Another case in point: A few days ago I met this beautiful gal--it all started over her interest in ww2. I picked out a few books for her--she bought them. She bought Infantry Aces, Panzer Aces and the book about the Freikorps. Turns out she is working on getting her doctorate on MILITARY History.
Jol, I know the problem. Christmas two years ago, the first gift that I open from my mother, turns out to be Mein Kampf. She thought that since every time I'm in a bookstore, I go to the ww2 section so she thought that I'd like that book. I can't stand the fact that since I'm into the german army from ww2 everyone thinks I'm a nazi, especially since I'm a reenactor too. My friends know I'm not, so I could care less about what the uneducated masses think.
Carl, stay friends with the judge! (BTW was he judge and millionaire? In that case become his best buddy! ) Just kidding.... Nice that that girl is interested in "Military history". Anyway, Volkbert and I had a good laugh about the media attention that three Hitler Albums (albums with his speeches on them) got. Volkbert sent me a link to the journalists on-line article. Title: Very ordinary, Hitler for sale. The article itself wasn't too bad but apparantly they were very negative in articles in the days before. All about wheteher Hitler-stuff should be sold and all and who buys that kind of stuff. Guess they never saw all the books on the Resistsance that were lying next to it. And indeed, like the rest of you, I have been into WW2 for so long, it really doesn't face me when I hear the same questions for the X-time. I don't feel like 'defending' myself except when people show a genuine interest. [ 09. February 2003, 02:55 AM: Message edited by: Stevin Oudshoorn ]
Yes, I rather liked the bit about the beautiful girl ( sigh ! ) Things must be different over there - I only get to meet people with anoraks, beerguts and moustaches. ( And they're just the women at aerojumbles... )
Sad but true! It´s absolutely weird how people can say things based on so little knowledge at times.. Anyway, I tend to ask back for some actual data to see if the people really understand and know what they´re dealing with. Very often the conversation ends... So far the best guess for WW2 timeline is that it took place in the 60´s...
Hi Stevin--the Judge is very well to do--he has about 12 or so homes for rent--plus makes about 200,000 a year sitting on different Judges benches. The Millionnaire was another person--he owns a few Radio Stations here in town and in another city. He said he collected as well--but mainly travels to battlefield sites--like Sommecourt does. This guy said that he has about 15 complete uniforms which are stored at his house. I see them on a regular basis at Barnes and Nobles. Maybe sometime--maybe ill be invited over to see their militaria. Martin--I feel sorry for you--Who not move here to Texas--there are PLENTY of pretty Frauleins available
Look at it this way guys. If a store sells books that means it is legal. If you feel ashamed to buy a book with a nazi sign then go to a store in the morning when people are not shopping.
Or you could just do what I do....big brown paper bag... Fist stop supermaket, bottle of whiskey, then off to newsagents, this weeks readers wives mag, off to bookshop copy of Mein Kampf, turn up personal stereo ...ride of the Valkeries, followed by we march on England..then sit on bench at bus stop and watch reaction of queue when you lay it all out on bench while waiting... Seriously though, who gives a damn, funny looks from people who probably go home and torture the cat before they buy a hat for church. What goes on behind closed doors in our nations, the cruelty to kids, old folk, animals etc, pails buying a book with a swastika on the front into insignificance. Go to Jersey or Guernsey and see all the people buying books with swastikas on the front regarding the German invasion of the islands, on a sunny day at St.Peters port, you will see many people reading the latest book or old find on benches by harbour, usually with a German helmeted soldier or swastika on the front.
