Dispatches from the Weimar Republic: Versailles and German Facism

by Morgan Philips Price, Tania Rose (Editor)

The period immediately following World War I was one of great turbulence in German society. The widespread dislocation throughout the country following its defeat in the war left the German morale crushed; the allied countries' demand for reparations crippled the national economy. Russia was in the hands of the Bolsheviks and there was widespread fear that Germany would be next to fall to working-class revolutionaries.

Writing between 1919 and 1923 as special correspondent for the "Manchester Guardian", Price was one of the few British journalists in Weimar Germany during those important years. These writings cover the key events in postwar Germany, including the emergence of Hitler and the Nazi Party.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, German Literature

230 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1998

Reviews

[Ruppert Baird]

Price was an eyewitness to the Bolshevik Revolution and become a committed Marxist during that time. And while his politics bleed through his reporting, his insights and reports, combined with the other information compiled by Rose, are insightful.
If anything does come out of this, it is the conclusion that the German Social Democrats abrogation of their electoral mandate(s) led directly to the eventual takeover of the government by Hitler.
The biographical info in the back of the book helps to flesh out some of the characters, but it was very selective. Why Johannes Hoffman, Edward Vincent (1st Viscount D'Abernon), General Jean Degoutte, and over three dozen others were left out is a question.
Other historical info would have been helpful, such as the an explanation of the Rhenish Republic and the 2,366,968,617.85% inflation rate, would have been advisable.
Nevertheless, this is an interesting history from the point of view of the eyewitness.

[Lauren Larkin]

A really interesting examination of the situation in Weimar principally focusing on the perspective of the left and from the years 1918-1924. Most notable to me was the historical background Price offered between journal articles and essays written by the journalist on the ground in Weimar. I also appreciated the way the journalist captured well the governmental movements, the tension of the times, and the chaos and distraughtness of the people. Political orientations aside, the text gives a good reading of the tumult.