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Has anyone read this book, "Through Innocent Eyes - The Chosen Girls of the Hitler Youth." It talks about how the National Socialistic upbringing in the League of German Girls uses paramilitary like disciplinary measures to build their loyalty and moral character. Coupled with neo-pagan rituals, songs, and folklore, "Through Innocent Eyes" captures the self-actualization of 10 year old Gertrude as she progresses from childhood and living in poverty to adolescence and becoming "one" with her country. By the age of 14, Gertrude is chosen for Country Service Camp called "Landjahr." Here, she will receive the very best rural education, for the Reich only wants the healthiest and the strongest girls. In 1941, there are 26,000 girls in Landjahr, and Gertrude Kerschner, is one of them."
This is what I got out from reading this book:
Landjahr Lager taught the girls courage, confidence, and built their moral character in a friendly and fun atmosphere through the power of camaraderie. This elite rural educational program provided the fundamental building blocks which would stay with them for the rest of their lives.
The educational curriculum was designed exclusively by the Reich's Ministry of Science, Education, and Culture. The focus was to build the girls full individual potential to become a productive member in society.
Their education went beyond the traditional home economics and child rearing as we all have come to believe. Through a myriad of enriching experiences, these girls developed their interpersonal mental, physical, and spiritual skills. Their challenging assignments included though provocative discussions, problem-solving activities, and team-building exercises, which ended in their daily prayer.
They contributed to local society by working with the farmers planting and harvesting the local crops, holding theatrical plays and musical performances, and organizing summer festivals for the townspeople and the children.
By the time these girls graduated from Landjahr, they could move into their chosen vocation from agriculture, hospitality, retail, office work, or full home management and child care. They had an exact understanding of their responsibilities and duties to their state and in their work place. It was a great honor to be chosen for Landjahr lager.
Anyone else read this book? If so, I would like to hear your thoughts. It seems this book is based upon the author's mother's personal journal from the time she was in the Hitler Youth. I've never come across a book like this before. Have you?
Your Pollyanna-ish review above seems to gloss over the anti-Semitic indoctrination which was also part of this grooming of German females.
Hmmm....whenever a new topic which in some manner is attempting to put a good face on the Third Reich materializes, it always seems to be the first post from a Newbie. Of course seeing this, lights go on, alarms go off....which vanquished offender has created a new ID and returned to the propaganda fray?
From what I read, there was no anti-Semitic indoctrination written in this book. Have you read it?
Well, then the book glosses over the hate indoctrination as well.
Before being required to roll out a surfeit of evidence to the contrary, I'll ask if you are denying that the League of German Girls received a heavy duty indoctrination in hatred of Jews?
And even if there had been no anti-Semitic aspect, what is so great about taking kids and turning them into non thinking, obedient automatons for the state?
Finally, I wasn't going to say anything, but are you aware your supposed "poll" makes no sense whatsoever? What exactly is one voting for or against by checking
Quote:
List three important benefits you received from reading "Through Innocent Eyes"?
??
I'll take a guess and say that you are passing along someone else's propaganda which included those questions as suggested discussion material....and you somehow or other presented them as yes/no poll questions.
Last edited by Grandstander; 02-19-2014 at 08:19 PM..
From what I read, there was no anti-Semitic indoctrination written in this book. Have you read it?
Can you at least be honest that you are in fact the author Cynthia Sandor? I poked around on the internet about the book and you are quite prolific in your social media promotion of the book under both a form of your actual name and the "BDM Girl" spin. What you have posted here appears on several blogs and other websites seeking to promote your book. You also fail to mention that the book is self published via Bilboa Press and hence has not even had the cursory review of the publishing process. You also fail to mention that you are not a historian in any conceivable manner and the book is based on your mother's journal. All of the positive "author reviews" the book has received are primarily from other self published authors, almost all of whom deal in the "softer, happier" side of national socialism.
These books have become quite popular in the modern fascist and neo-Nazi community as a way to promote an idyllic view of aspects of national socialism. They usually take the form of a personal account of "life during Hitler's reign" and present a very white washed (pun intended) view of the events and the times. Of course as a "personal story" it allows the telling of all of the positive spin without needing to mention the negative as the POV subject of the story may not have seen it or noticed it. These stories usually end with the telling of a "utopia smashed" and the frantic dash of "righteous" Germanic peoples away from the "evil" Soviet hordes.
These books are essentially able to serve as "propaganda light" as they exist in a gray area. Most of them are never picked up by actual publishers, but they make their way around reading circles, library events, etc. They are extensively promoted on neo-Nazi forums and websites. This particular book was promoted by the author herself under her real name on Stormfront where it received rave reviews. For those not familiar Stormfront is the internets largest forum for neo-Nazi's, Holocaust deniers, etc. Now, the author was either trying to desperately sell books, was naive of what that site is or, most likely, was selling her book to her core audience. The book is also heavily promoted by a few known neo-Nazi bloggers (generally id'd through their use of "88" in their names..."88"="HH"=Heil Hitler) on Tumblr and other sites as an example of the "ideal of education and experience that one should strive for when raising a proper Aryan woman".
Cynthia...you got sum splainin to do...Mainly on why you would write a book about the BDM and fail to mention anything about what essentially amounted to brainwashing into the cult of personality of Hitler and the adoption of radical racial ideals and anti-semitism that was a large part of these programs. I would think an unbiased review would also mention that the BDM was a prime recruiting ground for the SS. The "Landjahr" itself was just a reinforcement of the "ideal German woman" and what she should know. It was almost akin to going to Girl Scout camp and had a tradition in Germany predating the Nazi's. However, that was something that happened as a culmination of a young girls indoctrination and was not absent continuing reinforcement of Nazi propaganda. To neglect including these elements in your book can only be described as "having an agenda". A theory reinforced by your statements on your social media about books and articles on the Hitler Youth written by other authors in the mainstream who mention these indoctrination aspects. You are quite ready to say that they are "liars" and not telling the "real" story.
The focus was to build the girls full individual potential to become a productive member in society. . . . They had an exact understanding of their responsibilities and duties to their state and in their work place.
How do you think Girl Scouts in the USA, and other girls who are subject to compulsory attendance at public schools, always turn out to think that America is the greatest country in the world and ought to be defended at risk of life and limb?
Can you at least be honest that you are in fact the author Cynthia Sandor? I poked around on the internet about the book and you are quite prolific in your social media promotion of the book under both a form of your actual name and the "BDM Girl" spin. What you have posted here appears on several blogs and other websites seeking to promote your book. You also fail to mention that the book is self published via Bilboa Press and hence has not even had the cursory review of the publishing process. You also fail to mention that you are not a historian in any conceivable manner and the book is based on your mother's journal. All of the positive "author reviews" the book has received are primarily from other self published authors, almost all of whom deal in the "softer, happier" side of national socialism.
These books have become quite popular in the modern fascist and neo-Nazi community as a way to promote an idyllic view of aspects of national socialism. They usually take the form of a personal account of "life during Hitler's reign" and present a very white washed (pun intended) view of the events and the times. Of course as a "personal story" it allows the telling of all of the positive spin without needing to mention the negative as the POV subject of the story may not have seen it or noticed it. These stories usually end with the telling of a "utopia smashed" and the frantic dash of "righteous" Germanic peoples away from the "evil" Soviet hordes.
These books are essentially able to serve as "propaganda light" as they exist in a gray area. Most of them are never picked up by actual publishers, but they make their way around reading circles, library events, etc. They are extensively promoted on neo-Nazi forums and websites. This particular book was promoted by the author herself under her real name on Stormfront where it received rave reviews. For those not familiar Stormfront is the internets largest forum for neo-Nazi's, Holocaust deniers, etc. Now, the author was either trying to desperately sell books, was naive of what that site is or, most likely, was selling her book to her core audience. The book is also heavily promoted by a few known neo-Nazi bloggers (generally id'd through their use of "88" in their names..."88"="HH"=Heil Hitler) on Tumblr and other sites as an example of the "ideal of education and experience that one should strive for when raising a proper Aryan woman".
Cynthia...you got sum splainin to do...Mainly on why you would write a book about the BDM and fail to mention anything about what essentially amounted to brainwashing into the cult of personality of Hitler and the adoption of radical racial ideals and anti-semitism that was a large part of these programs. I would think an unbiased review would also mention that the BDM was a prime recruiting ground for the SS. The "Landjahr" itself was just a reinforcement of the "ideal German woman" and what she should know. It was almost akin to going to Girl Scout camp and had a tradition in Germany predating the Nazi's. However, that was something that happened as a culmination of a young girls indoctrination and was not absent continuing reinforcement of Nazi propaganda. To neglect including these elements in your book can only be described as "having an agenda". A theory reinforced by your statements on your social media about books and articles on the Hitler Youth written by other authors in the mainstream who mention these indoctrination aspects. You are quite ready to say that they are "liars" and not telling the "real" story.
I don't think I've ever read a better "caught red handed" post anywhere on CD, ever. I'm beyond impressed here NJGoat.
Has anyone read this book, "Through Innocent Eyes - The Chosen Girls of the Hitler Youth." It talks about how the National Socialistic upbringing in the League of German Girls uses paramilitary like disciplinary measures to build their loyalty and moral character. Coupled with neo-pagan rituals, songs, and folklore, "Through Innocent Eyes" captures the self-actualization of 10 year old Gertrude as she progresses from childhood and living in poverty to adolescence and becoming "one" with her country. By the age of 14, Gertrude is chosen for Country Service Camp called "Landjahr." Here, she will receive the very best rural education, for the Reich only wants the healthiest and the strongest girls. In 1941, there are 26,000 girls in Landjahr, and Gertrude Kerschner, is one of them."
This is what I got out from reading this book:
Landjahr Lager taught the girls courage, confidence, and built their moral character in a friendly and fun atmosphere through the power of camaraderie. This elite rural educational program provided the fundamental building blocks which would stay with them for the rest of their lives.
The educational curriculum was designed exclusively by the Reich's Ministry of Science, Education, and Culture. The focus was to build the girls full individual potential to become a productive member in society.
Their education went beyond the traditional home economics and child rearing as we all have come to believe. Through a myriad of enriching experiences, these girls developed their interpersonal mental, physical, and spiritual skills. Their challenging assignments included though provocative discussions, problem-solving activities, and team-building exercises, which ended in their daily prayer.
They contributed to local society by working with the farmers planting and harvesting the local crops, holding theatrical plays and musical performances, and organizing summer festivals for the townspeople and the children.
By the time these girls graduated from Landjahr, they could move into their chosen vocation from agriculture, hospitality, retail, office work, or full home management and child care. They had an exact understanding of their responsibilities and duties to their state and in their work place. It was a great honor to be chosen for Landjahr lager.
Anyone else read this book? If so, I would like to hear your thoughts. It seems this book is based upon the author's mother's personal journal from the time she was in the Hitler Youth. I've never come across a book like this before. Have you?
I haven't read the book, but "Landjahr" wasn't the totally blissful experience you make it out to be. A number of girls were impregnated by the farmers they were staying with. There were also the inevitable injuries from accidents on the farm. Add to that the indoctrination in what was nothing less than a totally evil system that created a climate in which the populace stood by while the state obliterated approximately 10 million people because they were "enemies of the state".
I don't think I could bear to read a book like this.
This has become a great thread, I learned something about a topic I didn't know about (I looked up Landjahr on the web) and there was great drama, haha.
I think a better approach by teh OP would have been, "hey, I just wrote a book on XYZ, what do you think about the topic?"
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