Albert Speer (1905–1981)

Reich Minister Speer's book delves into Heinrich Himmler's and the SS's efforts to establish an industrial empire under their control. Speer draws extensively on primary source documents he discovered while researching for a planned book on the Armaments Ministry. He shifted focus to the present subject upon finding these documents in the archives. The book is rich with primary data on the SS's interactions with the Armaments Ministry and their plans to set up manufacturing operations within concentration camps, among other topics. Speer also details Kammler's involvement with the rocket program and subterranean factories. Addressing a range of subjects, the book examines the SS's bid to forge an economic and manufacturing powerhouse. It comes highly recommended for those interested in the SS's role in German armament production during WWII. On a personal note, I find it regrettable that Speer did not author a book on the Armaments Ministry and WWII armament production, a subject scarcely addressed in English-language literature.… (more)

5829 Spandau The Secret Diaries, by Albert Speer, translated from the German by Richard and Clara Winston, (read 29 Jan 2024) Speer was given a sentence of 20 years and served every minute of it. This is a record of his prison time. Surprisingly it is not bad reading if one has interest in what goes thru a mentally sharp mind for such a long time. Of course, Speer shows himself as having recovered from his fascination with Hitler--but admits, being infatuated by him until the war ended I was surprised to find myself eager to read this account.… (more)