Posted on Jan 11, 2023
'The Oppermanns' has lessons for today — almost a century later
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Lion Feuchtwanger's 1933 novel "The Oppermanns" tells the story of a wealthy Jewish family in Berlin, Germany. who fall victim to the rise of the Nazis. It was reissued in the fall.
Here & Now's Scott Tong speaks with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Joshua Cohen, who revised the translation and wrote a forward to the new edition.
Book excerpt: 'The Oppermanns'
By Lion Feuchtwanger
It was a few days after the appointment of the Leader to the post of chancellor. The streets swarmed with people. Everywhere the brown shirts of the Nationalist stormtroopers, and the Nationalist swastika, were to be seen. Gustav’s car, driven fast and expertly by Schlüter, could not make very rapid progress.
Here & Now's Scott Tong speaks with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Joshua Cohen, who revised the translation and wrote a forward to the new edition.
Book excerpt: 'The Oppermanns'
By Lion Feuchtwanger
It was a few days after the appointment of the Leader to the post of chancellor. The streets swarmed with people. Everywhere the brown shirts of the Nationalist stormtroopers, and the Nationalist swastika, were to be seen. Gustav’s car, driven fast and expertly by Schlüter, could not make very rapid progress.
'The Oppermanns' has lessons for today — almost a century later
Posted from wbur.orgPosted in these groups: 
WWII World War Two
GermanyUnited States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Judaism
World History
WWII World War Two GermanyUnited States Holocaust Memorial Museum Judaism World History
Posted >1 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel good day Brother William, always informational and of the most interesting. Thanks for sharing, have a blessed day!
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."They got down to business. Martin said a few introductory words. The Nationalists had used anti-Semitism as a basis for their propaganda. It was possible, even probable, that now they were in power they would dispense with this expedient as superfluous and economically injurious. However, it would be as well to be cautious. He asked Herr Brieger to give his opinion.
The big-nosed, emphatically Jewish-looking little Herr Brieger spoke as flippantly as ever. There was now nothing else for it but to combine all the Oppermann branches into the “German Furniture Company.” In addition, it would be as well finally to come to an understanding with Herr Wels. He had sounded out Herr Wels. It was odd, but he was the one who got on best with that fire-eating goy. If there was really anything to the scare, and if it was destined to outlast the storm that was almost certain to come—in this case his outlook was more gloomy than that of Herr Martin Oppermann—then at least 51 percent of the stock of the firm must be transferred to non-Jewish holders before the elections. It was essential to prove this beyond shadow of a doubt, though, of course, the real state of affairs would be quite different. Technically, this could be done with ease. But the necessary transactions were of a delicate and intricate character and required a clear understanding, steady determination, and goodwill from both partners. Those are three points in which we are strong but Herr Wels is not.
This was Herr Brieger’s outline of the situation, described briskly, with many shrewd and witty turns of speech, with an ostensible ease of manner that was not, however, quite convincing.
The stately Herr Hintze sat stiffly aloof, his head held high. “I think,” he said, “that if Professor Mühlheim puts his mind to it we can get the German Furniture Company organized within a week. We’re not yet at the stage, thank God, where the Oppermanns have to run after a man like Herr Wels. Let us get the German Furniture Company established, gentlemen, and then we can wait quietly until our friend comes to us.”...
..."They got down to business. Martin said a few introductory words. The Nationalists had used anti-Semitism as a basis for their propaganda. It was possible, even probable, that now they were in power they would dispense with this expedient as superfluous and economically injurious. However, it would be as well to be cautious. He asked Herr Brieger to give his opinion.
The big-nosed, emphatically Jewish-looking little Herr Brieger spoke as flippantly as ever. There was now nothing else for it but to combine all the Oppermann branches into the “German Furniture Company.” In addition, it would be as well finally to come to an understanding with Herr Wels. He had sounded out Herr Wels. It was odd, but he was the one who got on best with that fire-eating goy. If there was really anything to the scare, and if it was destined to outlast the storm that was almost certain to come—in this case his outlook was more gloomy than that of Herr Martin Oppermann—then at least 51 percent of the stock of the firm must be transferred to non-Jewish holders before the elections. It was essential to prove this beyond shadow of a doubt, though, of course, the real state of affairs would be quite different. Technically, this could be done with ease. But the necessary transactions were of a delicate and intricate character and required a clear understanding, steady determination, and goodwill from both partners. Those are three points in which we are strong but Herr Wels is not.
This was Herr Brieger’s outline of the situation, described briskly, with many shrewd and witty turns of speech, with an ostensible ease of manner that was not, however, quite convincing.
The stately Herr Hintze sat stiffly aloof, his head held high. “I think,” he said, “that if Professor Mühlheim puts his mind to it we can get the German Furniture Company organized within a week. We’re not yet at the stage, thank God, where the Oppermanns have to run after a man like Herr Wels. Let us get the German Furniture Company established, gentlemen, and then we can wait quietly until our friend comes to us.”...
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Anyone that can't figure out that could happen again just about anywhere including the United States unless people wake up and prevent it. Unless citizens rights are for all and no group is held to be superior to others or given special privileges this can't happen but when it does more often than not this is the result ! If You think it can't happen here You have Your head stuck up a very dark place.
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