The Kersten Memoirs 1940-1945

Did any real ideas lie behind National Socialism? Such purposeful material power must have indicated, one might suppose, a corresponding power within. If anyone still credits the movement of Adolf Hitler with a serious ideology, that person's duty is to read Heinrich Himmler's pathetic, pedantic monologues on the principles on which the post-war New Europe was to be rebuilt. Felix Kersten, Himmler's personal manual therapist, has recorded their conversations between 1940 and 1945 as his dreaded patient lay, relaxed and grateful, under his soothing hands.But there is another side to this astounding document. Holding as he did the keys of Himmler's physical salvation, Kersten became the all-powerful confessor who could manipulate at will the conscience as well as the stomach of that terrible, impersonal, inhuman, but naive mystical credulous tyrant of the New Order. How did Kersten use these extra-ordinary opportunities? Thousands of Dutchmen, Germans. Jews and indeed others owe their survival to his intercession. The Finnish Legation used him to rescue Norwegian and Danish prisoners; the World Jewish Congress credits him with the rescue of 60,000 Jews; he particularly devoted himself to the interests of Holland. Himmler himself .saw perfectly well what was happening, but could do nothing. Kersten messages a life out of me, he once said, with every rub.Hugh Trevor-Roper writes in his introduction: Since historical accident drew me into this controversy, and human interest prevented me from dropping it till I had satisfied myself on every point, I may claim an intimate knowledge of the matter, and it gives me great pleasure to be able to publish the facts in the form of an introduction to this book. . . . As far as honesty of purpose and authenticity of documentation are concerned I am pleased to support with such authority as I possess the accuracy of these memoirs of Felix Kersten.