Diaries offer a unique and often invaluable perspective on historical events, providing personal accounts and insights that may be absent from official records. This topic frequently appears in correspondence with David Irving, reflecting his influence on readers and their own historical investigations. The excerpts demonstrate a recurring theme of questioning established narratives and seeking primary source documentation.
Readers have expressed admiration for Irving's research methods and the thought-provoking nature of his work, often leading them to re-evaluate conventional understandings of historical events, particularly concerning World War II and the interwar period. Several correspondents have explicitly stated their desire to emulate Irving’s approach to historical inquiry, often referencing his work as a source of inspiration. The diaries reveal a shared interest in challenging mainstream historical interpretations and a commitment to uncovering what "really happened" ("wie es eigentlich gewesen").
* 2017: A reader praised Irving's ability to gather information and gain a deep understanding of subjects, questioning the skewing of "facts" due to political agendas. David Irving's Research Methods * 2017: Another reader, preparing to study history at KU Leuven, noted a passage in a methodology textbook concerning the importance of verifying historical accounts. Historical Methodology * 2019: A reader expressed admiration for Adolph Hitler's actions in Germany, alongside acknowledging his negative actions (e.g., euthanasia program). Adolf Hitler * 2019: The reader references Udo Walendy's "Who Started World War II" and Hoggan's "The Forced War," highlighting the use of German primary sources to examine the events leading up to WWII, particularly the Czech Crisis of 1938. Udo Walendy Hoggan * 2021: A reader expressed anticipation of reading "Hitler's War" and comparing it to a PDF version, intending to update it with corrections and expansions. Hitler's War * 2021: A reader noted that works offering alternative views on Auschwitz were suppressed in Spain and Europe. Auschwitz * 2023: A historian with a PhD expressed interest in working with Irving’s archive, recognizing his willingness to challenge established views and powerful interests. Historical Archives 2023: A reader questioned the reliance on The Times of Israel for accurate coverage and suggested joining The Times of Israel Community*. Media Bias * 2023: A reader referenced a cartoon from 1897 depicting antisemitic tropes and quoted Frank Anstey's pamphlet "The Kingdom of Shylock." Antisemitism
Initially, the focus was on admiration for Irving’s research and the impact his work had on readers’ understanding of historical narratives. Over time, the correspondence reveals a deepening engagement with specific historical events and figures, including Hitler, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the events leading up to World War II. There is also a growing awareness of potential biases in mainstream historical accounts and a desire to access primary sources.
David Irving's Research Methods Historical Methodology Adolf Hitler Udo Walendy Hoggan Hitler's War Historical Archives Media Bias Antisemitism