"Promise Me You'll Shoot Yourself"

The Mass Suicide of Ordinary Germans in 1945

By: Florian Huber

Narrated by: Sam Peter Jackson

Named a Best History Book of 2019 by The Times (UK)

The astounding true story of how thousands of ordinary Germans, overcome by shame, guilt, and fear, killed themselves after the fall of the Third Reich and the end of World War II.
By the end of April 1945 in Germany, the Third Reich had fallen and invasion was underway. As the Red Army advanced, horrifying stories spread about the depravity of its soldiers. For many German people, there seemed to be nothing left but disgrace and despair. For tens of thousands of them, the only option was to choose death -- for themselves and for their children.
"Promise Me You'll Shoot Yourself" recounts this little-known mass event. Using diaries, letters, and memoirs, historian Florian Huber traces the euphoria of many ordinary Germans as Hitler restored national pride; their indifference as the Führer's political enemies, Jews, and other minorities began to suffer; and the descent into despair as the war took its terrible toll, especially after the invasion of the Soviet Union. Above all, he investigates how suicide became a contagious epidemic as the country collapsed.
Drawing on eyewitness accounts and other primary sources, "Promise Me You'll Shoot Yourself" presents a riveting portrait of a nation in crisis, and sheds light on a dramatic yet largely unknown episode of postwar Germany.

Critic reviews

"Gripping ... Huber tells the shocking stories of ordinary German suicides with literary power and skill, making excellent use of unknown material."—Richard Evans, The Guardian

"Vivid and disturbing...Though the topic is relentlessly grim, Huber portrays his subjects with empathy and offers key insights into the German mindset before, during, and after WWII. Readers will be convinced that reckoning with the war's legacy requires studying this underexamined tragedy."—Publishers Weekly

"Huber retells the self-annihilation of May 1945 in dispassionate, vivid detail...It's hard not to hear faint echoes in our current plight."—Andrew Anthony, The Observer

"A remarkable book -- grim and fascinating. Florian Huber tells the story well."—Robbie Millen, The Times

"An under-represented history that is equal parts terrifying and tragic...Amid the nearly unbearable darkness, Huber injects notes of hope...Illuminating yet haunting."—Ruta Sepetys, Financial Times

"Huber tells this terrible history with compassion and care. He writes with an ease that makes the book flow smoothly despite the bleak nature of the subject, aided by a fine translation from the German by Imogen Taylor."—Laurence Rees, Telegraph

"A harrowing insight into the psyche of everyday German citizens...Huber's book is extremely well researched ... By drawing on the thoughts, movements and mental state of the diarists, he is able to provide a compelling insight into the minds of everyday Nazi citizens."—Jacob Farr, The Scotsman

"A grimly compelling study of the psychology of fanaticism."—The Economist

"All eyes will be opened by the facts on offer in "Promise Me You'll Shoot Yourself"...Huber follows a cast of real, all-too-human characters as they head into darkness...His terrible evidence is priceless, and belongs on every bookshelf."—James Hawes, The Spectator

"Bleak, arresting...A sobering study of a dark period of Europe's history."
—Matt Elton and Ellie Cawthorne, BBC History Magazine

Important

So I want to put a warning out there to anyone, especially women who might listen to this. It’s important that we know this history. It’s important now more than ever. But do not listen to this in long segments. It will destroy your mental health. I’m lucky to have coping mechanisms to avoid falling into suicidal ideation but not everyone does. That being said, I’ve never heard this history before. Done a lot of research on what life was like for people in Germany after the war but it never came to this. And the understanding of how people got to this point goes deeper than any other book I’ve read.

Treasure trove of perspective

I was longing to read about WW2 from the everyday German point of view. This book nailed it. It gives a summary and then delves into several German folks lives pre, during, and post war. I had no idea that suicide was so rampant especially in the East when the Russians were advancing. Recommend again and again.

This book should be required reading for anyone that seeks to understand how ordinary people could be transformed into monsters.

Or were they? The author doesn’t seek to excuse anyone or to pass blame. It’s merely a case of how people went from a to b to c to z. This book shows how it wasn’t a simple transformation but a well thought out cult and manipulation of an entire country. A country whose people were already on the edge emotionally due to years of deprivation and extreme hardship. No excuses for atrocities. Not at all. More of a map. A map of “they started off here, then this happened and they went there. Then the more vulnerable ones ended up over there.” Etc. The “Leader’s” scorched earth policy left no room for post war recovery. The emotional health of the people was never a consideration. It was going to end up like this. Despite human survival instinct. It’s a must read, in my opinion.

Stop and think

The title is tough to get around, it does make sense though. I encouraged myself to keep an open mind and maintain a level of curiosity. I would encourage any reader/listener to do the same. Remember to pause and think about what was shared. I believe learning the information that is shared and putting it context for our modern day could benefit everyone.

Insight on human capitulation and dispair

I couldnt put this down - not only did I gain access to unspoken diaries of personal tragedy, but also received important historical context. I finish by being thankful for living in the USA....its hard to fathom such a barbaric time.