Each September from 1933 to 1938, the Nazi Party held spectacular rallies at Nuremberg. These Reichsparteitage (National Party Days) were vast and meticulously staged managed extravaganzas in which ritual and ceremony played an important part. The Rallies had two key objectives. The first was to focus public attention on the success and power of the Nazi Party and so connect with the public conscience and build a close bond between Party and people. Secondly, and perhaps even more important, they served as a vehicle for presenting Adolf Hitler as the saviour and undisputed leader of the German nation. The Hitler Cult was blatantly promoted with revolutionary use of propaganda by the latest technology and iron control of the media. Every opportunity was taken to celebrate the Fuhrer's achievement of restoring national pride, power and prosperity after the shame and economic disaster of the post war years and the deeply resented Versailles Treaty. The author's superb collection of contemporary postcards and images and his well-informed commentary takes the reader on a visual journey through each year's Reichsparteitage. The Nazis' Nuremberg Rallies, which also includes character studies of the principal Nazi figures, is a fascinating way to gain a full understanding of this uniquely successful Nazi ritual. ILLUSTRATIONS: 250 images
