New Richthofen biography

[crankcase]

Noticed a new (German language) biography of MvR by Joachim Castan. He had the cooperation of the rittmeister's family members and book includes photos not previously publicized. Can i have the opinion of our German-speaking/reading friends about the book?
thanks
CC

[Hans]

Hmm...not easy. It is the only real biography written on MvR in german language. It is some sort of a compendium if you need some details in just one book. It does not reveal any unknown facts, it is largerly based on well known sources like Bodenschatz. I like his words concerning the old question about MvR's dead ( Who d'un it?), as he says that this detail is largery irrelevant from a historical view. I don't like his 'psychological' approach on MvR to explain his kill rate. He is going so far to suspect MvR was suffering from a 'Borderline syndrome', a diagnosis which could hardly be made in 2006 from a man dying in April 1918.

He also repeats after any shot-down where the opponent was killed, that MvR did not fight real galant as you might expect from the Red Knight, as MvR excelled himself in killing the pilot first before he 'ignited' the aircraft.

Ginger may like this, but the 'killing' rate was high. And for myself I always thought the idea of Knights fighting in the blue is rubbish.

So, what to say about the book? The author has several academic degrees, even one in History. For that the content of this biography does not show real substance. Not viewed from a person reading WWI lectures for years, just from a historical view. There must be more sources than the Bodenschatz diarys. Maybe I expected a higher academic standard, but I think it's worth its money anyway - it is the only book in german.

H.

[Hans]

Here's the title of this new bio. Source: amazon.de

H.

[Varese2002]

Joachim Castan.
Der Rote Baron. Die ganze Geschichte des Manfred von Richthofen. 360 pages
ISBN 978-3-608-94461-7

The blurb of the publisher is here.

Quotes are not very informative about the book, just an example

In seinem spannend erzählten Buch zeigt der Autor, was sich hinter der Legende Richthofen wirklich verbirgt und wie der Mythos bis heute nachwirkt

The writer shows in his excitingly written book, what is really behind the legend of Richthofen and how the myth works on till today

News is that there comes a Richthofen film and a TV-documentary. Maybe this is also the commercial enticement for publishing this book.

Kees

[Gregvan]

Hi,

Thanks very much for this interesting info, especially Hans and Varese2002 (though I can't seem to get the link to work). Hans, can you comment on the photos in the book? Are there many that haven't been generally published?

As far as Richthofen's "killing rate" being high, yes, that's accepted. He was a professional soldier dedicated to destroying the enemies of his country. He was a firm believer in trying to shoot the pilot or crew first, and in sending the enemy down in flames. In this way one could be sure the enemy was destroyed and was not "faking" it.

Sounds like an interesting book, nonetheless. I suspect this is but one of several products we will be seeing in connection with the new Richthofen film.

Greg

[Varese2002]

Apologies, this is the correct URL.


Klett-Cotta: Der Rote Baron, Die ganze Geschichte des Manfred von Richthofen, Joachim Castan - Klett-Cotta-Verlag

Kees

[Gregvan]

Thanks very much for that, Kees.

Greg

[Kosh]

The tone as described by Hans might be explained by political correctness of German "academia" that has now targeted German WW1 soldiers as well. I recently read a review of a biography on Admiral Tirpitz that was written by a well known German academic. The reviewer, a Finnish military historian, wrote that the book is a true example of "progressive" modern German PC driven biography whose sole purpose is to blacken every German historical figure. Some examples he quoted from the book made that very clear.

[REDBARONGIRL]

Originally Posted by Hans

Hmm...not easy. It is the only real biography written on MvR in german language. It is some sort of a compendium if you need some details in just one book. It does not reveal any unknown facts, it is largerly based on well known sources like Bodenschatz. I like his words concerning the old question about MvR's dead ( Who d'un it?), as he says that this detail is largery irrelevant from a historical view. I don't like his 'psychological' approach on MvR to explain his kill rate. He is going so far to suspect MvR was suffering from a 'Borderline syndrome', a diagnosis which could hardly be made in 2006 from a man dying in April 1918.

He also repeats after any shot-down where the opponent was killed, that MvR did not fight real galant as you might expect from the Red Knight, as MvR excelled himself in killing the pilot first before he 'ignited' the aircraft.

Ginger may like this, but the 'killing' rate was high. And for myself I always thought the idea of Knights fighting in the blue is rubbish.

So, what to say about the book? The author has several academic degrees, even one in History. For that the content of this biography does not show real substance. Not viewed from a person reading WWI lectures for years, just from a historical view. There must be more sources than the Bodenschatz diarys. Maybe I expected a higher academic standard, but I think it's worth its money anyway - it is the only book in german.

H.

hi there,is there any way i can order this book??My german is alittle rusty,but i have my phrase books,do you guys know where i can find a copy of this book without going on-line?I would REALLY like to have this one for my collection!!! REDBARONGIRL

[StephenLawson]

What was it that Dan San Abbott said some years ago. ". . .There have been more books written about Manfred von Richthofen than Abraham Lincoln. . ." I think he is right.