Paul von Hindenburg

In this episode of "In Our Time" from BBC Radio 4, Melvyn Bragg leads a discussion with Anna von der Goltz, Colin Storer, and Chris Clark about the life and legacy of Paul von Hindenburg. The panel explores Hindenburg's early life, military career, his role in World War I and the myth surrounding him, his presidency during the Weimar Republic, and ultimately his disastrous appointment of Hitler as Chancellor. The discussion also covers Hindenburg's complex character, his manipulation of public image, and the factors that contributed to his rise and the subsequent enabling of Nazi power in Germany. The bonus material extends the conversation to Hindenburg's family life, the control of his personal papers, and alternative political routes that were available at the time.