E. O. Lorimer (1881–1949)

I read Leslie Downer's brief article about 'Language Hunting in the Karakoram' in the Summer 2020 issue of 'Slightly Foxed,' a wonderful British literary magazine focused on often obscure or forgotten works of fiction and non-fiction. I was intrigued enough to seek out the book itself -- it's available primarily in larger academic libraries. And I found the book to be fascinating. It's largely a travel book -- the background (a previous posting in Gilgut in the 1920s) and mounting an expedition and traveling to Aliabad in the 1930s consume a good portioni.of the book and it's thrilling. The story of life in Aliabad becomes an early form of ethnography, before such things existed, told by the capably observant and endlessly inquisitive Emily Lorimer, while her husband, David, tackles the philology and linguistics of Burushaski. While there are observations and comments that carry the freight of colonialism and can make a reader wince, the book is a remarkable glimpse into a culture that has all but disappeared, a language that is disappearing, and a remote corner of the world that while today is far better connected (with electricity and accessible by road) is far more dangerous as a consequence of ongoing Pakistan-India conflict over Kashmir and the intentions of China. If you have any interest in this region or in language, make an attempt to borrow this book.… (mehr)

This is a pocket my mother in law bought in february 1939. it is "dedicated in sorrow and mourning to the memory of the democratic republic of Czechoslovakia, whose heroism, steadfastness, and self-restraint during the dark days of September 1938 have won her people a fame as imperischable as the infamy of her foes and the humiliation of her friends".

In it the author describes shortly what is behind MEIN KAMF, Rosenberg’s MYTHUS and nazisme in practise. It is both fascinating and scary to see how much people could see and know in advance, if they were interested - without actually believing that it would happen.

First it describes Hitlers history and the conclusions he drew from that. First about the importance of mass propaganda: the less facts and information the better, always play for emotions, keep it simple and repeat a lot. To make this easy it is best to combine all adversaries under the same label; "the enemy". Marxisme for instance is described as a Jewish conspiracy.

Nest part of the book goes into the discrepancies between what he says and what he does, between what he communicates to neighbouring countries and what he speeches about in Germany. In the English translation of Mein Kampf for instance are major pieces not translated. Lorrimer translates a few pieces from the German version and points to statements Hitler made in international events to illustrate why he thinks Hitler really is a major threat.

Next part of the book is about Hitlers ideas about Jewish and Arien races, to conclude that when Hitler says he wants peace he actually means “...founded by the victorious sword of a master people (Herrenvolk) who had seized the world in the service of a Higher Culture”. To achieve that Germans had to be brought up with the certainty of “die ausschliessliche Anerkennung der Rechte des eignen Volkstum”, to make sure their nationalism would be the most important ideology. Hitler wants to expand the borders of the German Reich till most of continental Europe is german. It is the German duty “... to conquer, exploit, dispossess, or exterminate other races for his own advantage.”

De Mythus of the Twentieth Century (by Alfred Rosenberg) was intended to do for more intellectual nazi’s what Mein Kampf did for the plebs. The booklet covers the political, religious and esthetic history of mankind, seen in the light of the Nazi idea's about race. It promotes "National Honour" as the ultimate fulfillment, which cannot be achieved as fully through christianity, roman philosophy or humanism. It will have to be a male achievement though, the main goal in life for women is breeding babies. Hitler stated that women could only become full citizens after marriage, Rosenberg only after they have given birth - in wedlock or out of wedlock.

Nazism in practise first describes "Raum und Volk" from Ewald Banse. It was publised in 1933, when the author was a teacher of ‘militairy science’ on a technical university and describes how Germany should conquer Europe.

Next chapter points out that German embassies are really pressuring germans in foreign countries to collect information for their home country (“...remember that each and every one is a potential spy”).

It continues with a description of German economical power points, Hitlers admiration for Friedrich der Grosse and the mounting evidence of German intend to conquer more space. Lorrimer hopes that “... even at the eleventh hour, the Greater War of 1940 or 1945 or 1950 may conceivebly yet be nipped in the embyo”.

The last chapter deals with the weird attraction Nazism has in Germany. The fact that the German selfimage was extremely good, and when Germany could prove their superiority in practise it needed a scape goat. People didn't want to be faced with their own failings. Obey without critisism was promoted hughly, adverseries didn't have the opportunity to communicate their critisism and the appropriate policies were communicated very broadly. Indoctrination of the young through publications that literally said things like "the sun won't shine untill the last Jew is dead". Laws that made it possible that suspects and political detainees were imprisoned and abused without due process or limits.… (mehr)