Pleasure and Power in Nazi Germany

Although we associate the Third Reich above all with suffering, pain and fear, pleasure played a central role in its social and cultural dynamics. This book explores the relationship between the rationing of pleasures as a means of political stabilization and the pressure on the Nazi regime to cater to popular cultural expectations.

Pamela E. Swett is Associate Professor of History at McMaster University, Canada. Corey Ross is Professor of Modern History at the University of Birmingham, UK. Fabrice D'Almeida is Professor of Contemporary History at the Universit Panthon-Assas (Paris-II), France.

List of Illustrations
Acknowledgements
Notes on Contributors
Pleasure and Power in Nazi Germany: An Introduction; P.E.Swett, C.Ross & F.d'Almeida
PART I: CONSUMPTION AND THE PRIVILEGES OF PLEASURE
Driving, Shopping and Smoking: The Society for Consumer Research and the Politics of Pleasure in Nazi Germany; S.J.Wiesen
Selling Sexual Pleasure in 1930s Germany; P.E.Swett
Luxury and Fashion under National Socialism; F.d'Almeida
PART II: DISCIPLINE AND DISTRACTION: ENTERTAINMENTS AND THE AESTHETICS OF PLEASURE
The Structure of Aesthetic Pleasure in the Nazi Reception of Goethe’s Faust; D.Pan
'German Humour' in Books: The Attractiveness and Political Significance of Laughter during the Nazi Era; P.Merziger
Pleasure, Practicality and Propaganda: Popular Magazines in Nazi Germany, 1933-39; K.C.Führer
Radio, Film and Morale: Wartime Entertainment between Mobilization and Distraction; C.Ross
PART III: THE PLEASURES OF COMMUNITY AND CONSENSUS
Seeing the World: Photography, Photojournalism, and Visual Pleasure in the Third Reich; E.Harvey
The Pleasures of Being a 'Political Soldier:' Nazi Functionaries and their Service to the 'Movement'; D.Mühlenfeld
The Pleasure of Terror: Belonging through Genocide; T.Kühne
The Pleasures of Opposition: Leisure, Solidarity and Resistance of a Life-reform Group; M.Roseman
Bibliography
Index