The Other Face of Love: Dialogues with the Prison Experience of Albert Speer

by Miriam Pollard

Book Overview

This remarkable book about the inexhaustible mercy of God uses the life story of Albert Speer, Hitler's architect, as a window to our own souls. The story of Speer--a man who sold his soul for... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0824515625
• ISBN13: 9780824515621
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: Crossroad Publishing
• Length: 179 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.7" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Albert Speer: His Battle to Understand Himself

This is a wonderful book. Sr. Pollard has provided us with an insightful meditation on Albert Speer as he struggles with "survivor's guilt."

Pollard's Book About Speer Somewhat Misunderstood Here

Sister Miriam's book is not a traditional biography of Speer, nor a biography at all. It's her dialogue on the subject of Speer's spiritual life subsequent to the war, and as such, not in any way an accusation, trial, judgment or anything of the sort. Some reviewers here have objected to her choice of subject on the grounds that Speer was evil. If we as human beings have any right at all to say that of another -- itself a moot question -- then surely that level of moral judgment is not within the scope of this book. Frankly, before we can learn to look at men and women as human beings, regardless what we think or feel about them, we remain imprisoned by our own ego, beliefs and biases. We can neither arrogate God's view to ourselves nor in fact emulate what we imagine what his view is. The Christian responsibility is to love and forgive, even in radical situations. Scripture offers no exceptions in instructing us this way, not even for dictators or slavekeepers. Having said that, I believe one of the biggest achievements of Sister Pollard's book is her very choice and consideration of Speer, a widely-despised man who she embraces without prejudice as another human being. A question she asks implicitly is: Is he in any essential way different from any of us? The answer is no. We may flatter ourselves for being without sin, but only in proportional sense to our own blindness. As our parents or teachers admonished us when we were children complaining about our siblings or playmates, "Just worry about your own problems, because you have plenty." That admonishment might apply to those of us who complain about Speer being evil, a demon, beyond forgiveness. We have no objective, measurable means of determining Speer's sincerity once and for all, although it would prove nothing if we did. Again, our responsibility as Christians is to love and trust his spiritual reports, as Sister Miriam does. We may say that someone who has been directly involved in the Nazi regime has come a long way spiritually to accept Jesus and admit honestly that he did all he is accused of having done. It's fascinating to me, and to Sister Miriam, that this man should be chosen by Providence to embody such a stunning range of spiritual focus.In a sense, then, her book is not so much about Speer at all, bu rather a dialogue on faith, God's love for us, and the humanly unimaginable possibilities within it, as she relies on Speer as an example of this love. Like certain elements found in a chemical laboratory, his is an experience that shows contrast most brightly. This is one means by which she illustrates her points. Never once does Sister Pollard identify Speer as an example (in the sense of being followed or imitated) or as someone to be emulated, nor does she compare him with others. She might well agree with the truism from the Buddhist tradition: "Comparison is odious." The story of Speer -- his spritual story, that is, as presented in her book -- is precious substinence for

a reflection on self deciept...

The bottom line for anyone reading about the subject Speer is that he has convinced himself of his innocence by an intelligent phsycological re-construction of events.He always knew and was aware of what was happening...period. But a facinating individual he was nevertheless. Detached and aloof he twisted the truth in one of the worlds great pieces of fabrication.

A surprisingly insightful book on a fascinating personality.

Albert Speer, Hitler's architect and minister of armaments, is a fascinating figure. This book examines his inner struggle with personal responsibility for crimes of the 3rd Reich. Should be read with Gitta Sereny's "Albert Speer His Battle with Truth." Miriam Pollard has written a wonderful book.

Speer was a criminal

To say that Albert Speer "repented" is to insult the entire concept. I believe it is possible that a person as evil as Speer could repent. I just don't believe that Speer ever really did - he did what he had to do to save his own hide. To raise Speer to the level of some sort of icon is ludicrous.