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Fat Boy and the Champagne Salesman
Göring, Ribbentrop, and the Nazi Invasion of Poland
Rush Loving, Jr. (Author)
9780253061959
Paperback / softback, published 28 June 2022
166 pages, 5 b&w photos, 1 map - 5 Halftones, black and white - 1 Maps
22.9 x 15.2 x 0.9 cm, 0.249 kg
In his book Fat Boy and the Champagne Salesman, Loving, a former journalist, focuses on the rivalry between Ribbentrop, the "champagne salesman," a nickname based on his previous career, and Hermann Göring, the "fat boy" who was president of the Reichstag and head of the Luftwaffe as Hitler planned his attack on Poland. This is a fascinating, meticulously researched account of the infighting at the top of the Nazi hierarchy during the run-up to the opening act of World War II. Loving's research is meticulous — and so is his writing. For my money, any historical account that reveals the distinct personalities of the principal characters and leaves you turning pages to find out what happens next — even though you already know what happens next — is the mark of a satisfying work of nonfiction.
Fat Boy and the Champagne Salesman offers a compelling behind-the-scenes exploration of the road to World War II and the invasion of Poland by the Hitler's Third Reich. Focusing on the personal power plays within Hitler's inner circle, author Rush Loving details the struggle for Hitler's approval, long before the battle for Poland had begun.
The rivalry was between "Fat Boy," the moniker given to Hermann Göring by his fellow Nazi generals, and "the Champagne Salesman," Joachim von Ribbentrop, nicknamed for his previous career, and it was at the heart of Germany's plans for the expansion of the Reich into Poland. Göring, founder of the Lüftwaffe and the man who oversaw the armaments industry, was convinced that any invasion of Poland would lead to war with England and France, who were committed to its defense. Von Ribbentrop, Hitler's foreign minister, argued that the Allies would stand down and continue their policy of appeasement. Only one would be proved correct.
An engrossing and dramatic tale, Fat Boy and the Champagne Salesman shows Göring and Ribbentrop playing a tug-of-war with Hitler's will. Loving's vivid narrative of the struggle between the two advisers lends a new understanding of the events leading to the opening days of World War II.
Preface
Introduction
1. Kaiser Wilhelm's Legacy
2. The Community Organizer
3. The Champagne Salesman
4. Fat Boy's Swedish Friend
5. 'Close Your Hearts to Pity!'
6. A Performance of Bombast and Threats
7. 'A Second Bismark'
8. Et Tu, Bruté?
9. 'It's Enough to Kill a Bull'
10. The Speech That Fell Flat
11. Into the Wee Hours
12. A Shouting Match
13. 'Where Is the Pole?'
14. The Intercepted Telegram
15. Invasion
16. Ultimatum
17. Finis
Notes
Bibliography