The Extraordinary Life of Josef Ganz: The Jewish Engineer Behind Hitler's Volkswagen

Paul Schilperoord

The Extraordinary Life of Josef Ganz: The Jewish Engineer Behind Hitler's Volkswagen
Format
Paperback
Publisher
Rvp Publishers
Country
United States
Published
6 February 2012
Pages
408
ISBN
9781614122036

The Extraordinary Life of Josef Ganz: The Jewish Engineer Behind Hitler’s Volkswagen

Paul Schilperoord

The astonishing biography of Josef Ganz, a Jewish designer from Frankfurt, who in May 1931 created a revolutionary small car: the Maikafer (German for May bug). Seven years later, Hitler introduced the Volkswagen. The Nazis not only took the concept of Ganz’s family car-their production model even ended up bearing the same nickname. The Beetle incorporated many of the features of Ganz’s original Maikafer, yet until recently Ganz received no recognition for his pioneering work. The Nazis did all they could to keep the Jewish godfather of the German compact car out of the history books. Now Paul Schilperoord sets the record straight.

Josef Ganz was hunted by the Nazis, even beyond Germany’s borders, and narrowly escaped assassination. He was imprisoned by the Gestapo until an influential friend with connections to Gaoring helped secure his release. Soon afterward, he was forced to flee Germany, while Porsche, using many of his groundbreaking ideas, created the Volkswagen for Hitler. After the war, Ganz moved to Australia, where he died in 1967.

This item is not currently in-stock. It can be ordered online and is expected to ship in approx 4 weeks

Our stock data is updated periodically, and availability may change throughout the day for in-demand items. Please call the relevant shop for the most current stock information. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Sign in or become a Readings Member to add this title to a wishlist.