The unknown side of the legend
Marlene Dietrich is best known as a Hollywood icon – a cool beauty with a smoky voice who created unforgettable moments on the big screen. However, the book Marlene Dietrich at the Front by Reiner Burger takes a new look at the actress: as a courageous woman who went to the front in the middle of the Second World War to support American soldiers. Using previously unpublished photos and documents, Burger shows how Dietrich used her popularity to provide moral support to the troops – often under extreme conditions and with great personal determination.
© Deutsche Kinemathek — Marlene Dietrich Collection Berlin
Between a hail of bombs and stage lights
From 1944, Dietrich undertook troop support tours through Europe. She travelled through Italy, France, Belgium and Germany, performing on makeshift stages, often just a few kilometres away from the battlefield. She not only braved the cold, mud and rats, but also the danger of being captured by the Wehrmacht. Her courage and stamina impress not only the soldiers, but also the officers. Her performances are not glamourous Hollywood spectacles, but intimate, spontaneous performances that give the exhausted soldiers back a bit of normality and hope.
© Deutsche Kinemathek — Marlene Dietrich Collection Berlin
Personal struggle against the regime
Dietrich’s commitment is more than just a patriotic gesture – it is a clear rejection of the Nazi regime. She had already turned her back on Germany in 1939 and accepted US citizenship. Joseph Goebbels tried several times to win her back for propaganda films – to no avail. Instead, she used her popularity to position herself against Hitler. The book shows how determined Dietrich was to make a contribution to the resistance against National Socialism. Her most famous performance is probably the moment when she sings “Lili Marleen” – a song that touched soldiers on both sides of the front.
© Deutsche Kinemathek – Marlene Dietrich Collection Berlin
An impressive documentation
Reiner Burger’s book is not just a biography, but a multi-faceted collage of historical accounts, personal testimonies and unique photographs. It shows a woman who is not content with a comfortable life in Hollywood, but actively fights against injustice. The mixture of journalistic accuracy and visually stunning storytelling makes this book a valuable addition for anyone interested in Marlene Dietrich, the Second World War or extraordinary life stories. A book that shows how much a single person can help shape history.
Data
| Original title | Marlene Dietrich an der Front |
| Translation | Marlene Dietrich at the front |
| Author | Reiner Burger |
| Publisher | Greven |
| Cover | Hardcover |
| Pages | 160 |
| Language | German |
| Dimensions | 27,7 cm x 21,8 cm |
| ISBN | 978-3-7743-0988-3 |
| Price | 38 € |
Further information
Further information on the book Marlene Dietrich an der Front (DE) (Advertising) can be found on the Greven Verlag website.
Compliance
The book was kindly made available to us by the publisher. The presentation and rating of HYPERMADE remains independent of this and is based solely on the content of the book.
