Bombshell
Ludwig Leidig
- Paperback: 256 pages
- Publisher: Strategic Book Publishing & Rights Agency, LLC (May 17, 2013)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1625163460
- ISBN-13: 978-1625163462
Bombshell is an unknown true story unearthed from World War II documents. Although a historical biography, it reads as a dramatic psychological thriller, and it covers the dark period of the Third Reich in Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945. Barbara Goette accepts an offer to join global tycoon Ludwig Roselius (The Lion) and work for the HAG conglomerate. He is a very successful older industrialist who invented decaffeinated coffee. She is 26 and has just completed her state examinations at Kiel University. Being intelligent, glamorous and hard-working, she quickly rises to become Dr Roselius' closest collaborator. The Lion earlier established himself in New York before World War I, becoming the most diversified industrialist Germany had ever seen. He rejected Hitler as a dreamer and sent him away empty-handed when Hitler asked him for funds in 1922 and 1930. This was not forgotten and Hitler launches vitriolic verbal attacks on Dr. Roselius in 1936. Barbara saves the doctor's life by appealing to Hitler during a chance meeting in Berlin. Dr Roselius died in 1943. Barbara was cut loose from her job and barely survived the war. She married English lecturer Dr. J.P. Leidig in 1945. In 1950, the family emigrated to Australia. Bombshell clarifies many unknown historical issues and also provides explanations that were previously misunderstood about what corporate life was like in war-torn Germany. Born in Germany, Ludwig Leidig is now retired and lives in Adelaide, Australia.
My Thoughts
The book Bombshell is an evocative, complex and completely engrossing biography of Barbara Goette's life.
During the period surrounding War II, in place of deep eye contact and verbal communication, recognition was often received and relayed via the written word and photographs.
While this book does contain some political wrangling and makes one question good versus evil, it also points out the main form of communication during WWII was frequently exchanging letters.
This book includes documents, letters, telegrams, and photos from Barbara and others. These, are cohesively woven together by Barbara's son Ludwig and are genuinely fascinating to view. In the letters, we find compassion and empathy being expressed as health, education and economic damage and devastation were of great concern.
Throughout it all, Barbara appeared to obtain a strong sense of character. This is illustrated by her growing sense of self-expressed in the letters she wrote. I expect she had a deep adoration for Ludwig Roselius, as he did for her.
After Roselius' death in 1943, Barbara taught and was courted by J.P. Leidig. They married in 1945 and named one of their sons Ludwig. In 1950, the family left Germany for Australia and Barbara lived out her life doing what she loved to do - teach.
This book was provided by Kim Siegel, Author Marketing Ideas, for an honest review.
Author Ludwig Leidig
Born in Germany, Ludwig Leidig is now retired and lives in Adelaide, Australia.