a horrifying and unprecedented view of pre-nazi berlin

books:


	• Voluptuous Panic: The Erotic World of Weimar Berlin (Expanded Edition) Mel Gordon Feral House, 2008 - 300 pages average customer review:based on 13 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Weimar Berlin Is *ALIVE* and Electric!

This *is* the most comprehensive book about Weimar Berlin on the market. Full of never before seen pictures, illustrations, and information, this book is what any Deco era enthusiast needs. Mel Gordon's text is anything but dry, stuffy, or overly scholarly as these books can tend to be. No, instead, his enthusiasm and interests spill onto each page, electrify in a sence with his tell-tale approach and overwhelming details about Pre-War Weimar Berlin's enigmatic history. If Neo-Weimar studies are your cup of tea, then this book is the "on the rocks", "straight up", cold hard shot of gin! I recomend the 5th Edition (2006 Version) hardback that includes the original 2 sections that are omitted in the first few before it. The replaced sections are wonderful and if you've seen the book before, you will be quick to notice that Gordon has added *more* pictures and has corrected the color on the illustrations and paintings. In short, Mr. Gordon's work is quite simply the *ONLY* work out there worth reading about this subject. A UC Berkeley professor, accomplished writer of several books, and former New York Actor's Studio alumni how can one argue that his writings and lectures are not the most dead on and most effective out there? See him lecture, read his work, and keep tabs on this history agent provocateur; he is the future of our unique artistic and often risqué past. - Amanda Campa (of The Art Deco Society Of California)

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a horrifying and unprecedented view of pre-nazi berlin

I suppose there is the inherent interest and entertainment of antique hardcore erotica for some people, which this book provides, but the things depicted (photographically) and described in this book may completely alter your view of the past.

I guess it is known that Berlin, prior to the rise of the nazis, was a decadant, burlesque place. But the variety and pervasiveness... and SEVERITY of this is not commonly known. In this book you will see gay nomadic boy scouts, theatrical spanking machines, nudist priests, gleefuly incestuous families (depicted in lifestyle journals for apparent mass consumption) and manuals of dentist chair molestation. It really is shocking - and all the more when you recognize these images as decisively in the past, and apparently NORMAL for this time period.

I used to look through this book whenever i went to this bookstore in 2000-2001, mostly browsing and skimming. It made a lasting impression and i have never been able to find similar information elsewhere. According to some of the reviews I've read, the author makes an unsubstantiated claim/conclusion that this period ended not because of social outrage or exhaustion, but because of particular economic and political circumstances. But for myself, foreign to this place and time (and culture), it completely changes my picture of germany, world war ii and modernity. Apparently there were sprawling nihilist fiends BEFORE mankind was confronted with the possability of nuclear annihilation.

I personally consider this a "coffee table book", albeit for S&M yuppies. It is way too flashy and consumable for research purposes. (I would hesitate to site it as a source for any paper.) However, as far as I can tell, it is one of the only accessable documentations of ...something I can't believe I've never heard of.

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Voluptuous Panic by Mel Gordon

Excellent book, which had lots of information regarding Berlin, Germany in the wild 20s. I only wish there was more in depth material to read and more photo's. Especially interesting was the "Occult" section, which could have had a more in depth coverage, but I'm not complaining. Dietrich Eckhart, who belonged to a number of Occult Societies introduced Hitler to Ernst Rohm The Criminal Elements or crime section was also heady. Overall, well put together and very interesting. I think including the individuals and activies of some subversive groups in Berlin at the time would have been helpful in understanding the rise of Naziasm in the 20's. I understand there were a number of "White Russian" exiles that supported Hitler's cause.

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explosive!

voluptuous panic is a great title. it's an even greater resource of smut, art nudes, photos of cabaret artists from weimar berlin.

and there's text, too!

if someone is going to do 'cabaret' send them here for ideas for set decorations, costume ideas and makeup tips for the kit-kat girls. then look at what others did with information like this because this should be one of the primary sources in re-enlivining that crazy, mad and very short period.

Stellar Research

This book has proven to be an astonishingly valuable source in my research of the period, and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone interested in the social history of this remarkable time and place. As a costume designer, the photo references are first-rate, and not available anywhere else. As a collaborator in the theatre and an amateur social historian, I found VP one of the most thorough and colourful pieces of research I have encountered in a long while. Pony up the dough, folks, it's well worth it!

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3

This seductive sourcebook of rare visual delights from pre-Nazi, Cabaret-period "Babylon on the Spree" has the distinction of being praised both by scholars and avatars of contemporary culture, inspiring hip club goers, filmmakers, gay historians, graphic designers, and musicians like the Dresden Dolls and Marilyn Manson.

This expanded edition includes "Sex Magic and the Occult," documenting German pagan cults and their often-bizarre erotic rituals, including instructions for entering into the "Sexual Fourth Dimension."

Mel Gordon is professor of theater at the University of California, Berkeley, and is also the author of Erik Jan Hanussen: Hitler's Jewish Clairvoyant (Feral House).

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