From: ggm@brolga.cc.uq.oz.au (George Michaelson)
Subject: Re: Goebbels' diaries reviewed by Irving??
Organization: Prentice Centre, University of Queensland
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1992 05:32:40 GMT


[Apologies for following up my own followup, but I decided Gordon Banks' 
 posting deserved better attention from me.]

I went to the campus library and quickly browsed 'Goring : a biography' by 
David Irving. (1989) -I chose this work since its the most recent, and
seemed to be the work closest to the central matter. Obviously no one work
dictates what the Author is really about, but given the continuity of subject
matter in Irvings case, I feel able to generalize.

I will agree with Banks that Irving is clearly a capable historian in
the sense of his grasp of the mechanics of writing on history. This book
was extremely readable, and is well indexed and researched. voluminous
notes and references, and a good biography were appended. Dispite a
strong distaste for the subject, I found the book was hard to put down.

I will therefore agree that Irving deserves to be recognised as a
capable historian in terms of tradecraft.

However, and for me personally, this is a BIG however, I was
*extremely* repelled by my perception of the authors underlying
motivations and stance. The work is partisan, and across several
distinct threads, two of which I want to address.

Firstly, a casual reading of the index for references to the holocaust
and Hitler, reveals several passages which construct classic 'Hitler didn't
know and you can't prove he did' arguments. This issue lies at the heart
of the subject area. I don't see how I can accept the work as a whole under
that framework. It has to affect all further reading of Gorings defense
at Neuremberg at least doesn't it? Thus the Biography flies an argument
which (to me at least) seriously undermines any conclusions Irving seeks to
bring. 

Should the Goebbels' diaries work reveal more binding evidence in
either direction doubtless changes will ensue to later editions.
perhaps coming back in 15 years time will reveal all. 

Secondly, I cannot but dislike the extent to which Irving seems to
admire and like Goring. Perhaps Banks will disagree with my
conclusions, but for myself, the book reeked of subdued admiration, and
not just for the core of the man, but for the *whole*. Were it a work
on Rommel, (whom Irving has also written on) who concurred in deeply
evil acts as much as any German general of the day but ultimately
rebelled to his own demise, I can understand.  This seems a different
case to me. 

In the context of an ability to portray a uniquely German perspective,
I feel this bodes badly for us all. 

Irving succeeds in educating me about Goring. He was a complex character,
clever and warped. Perhaps if I can read my own (preconceived, biased)
desired message, even in a work so far removed from my political
perspective, Irving deserves my admiration? I chose not to extend it.

I concur that Irving accepts a holocaust takes place. I suggest he
seeks to refine our understanding in a different direction to that I
hold to be true. Whilst direct evidence is scarce, One has to question
what motivates somebody to address this topic beyond all others. I do not
think Irving is motivated purely by historical interest: I think he sees
a role for himself here and is exploiting it.

Again, I admit to being less than unbiased myself. I clearly cannot see
the subject matter in a dispassionate light. I recommend anybody to
read the book, and others, and draw their own conclusions. There will
be many sources to choose from. Perhaps Irving has to be read to
complete the picture, but I do not feel he should be read alone. In the
context of Goebbels' diaries, that might be kept in mind.

	-George
--
                         George Michaelson
G.Michaelson@cc.uq.oz.au The Prentice Centre      | There's no  market for
                         University of Queensland | hippos in Philadelphia
Phone: +61 7 365 4079    QLD Australia 4072       |          -Bertold Brecht
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