Peter Mayer - Why I published 'The War Between the Generals' by David Irving (86/99)

To listen to more of Peter Mayer’s stories, go to the playlist: • Peter Mayer (Publisher)
British-born Peter Mayer (1936-2018) was an independent American publisher who, as head of the New York-based Avon Books, successfully introduced the trade paperback to the mass market. From 1978 to 1996, he was CEO of Penguin Books. [Listener: Christopher Sykes; date recorded: September 2014-January 2015]
TRANSCRIPT: Some Jewish group - or Jewish individual, I don't know - contacted Jim and said, Jim, did you know, or Mr Rose, did you know, that Penguin is about to publish David Irving? Well, either Jim knew or found out, but, in any case, I don't think it was a secret. And the book that David Irving was writing for, I believe, Allen Lane, the Penguin Press, the hardcover imprint of Penguin, maybe even for Peter Carson who was its head, and also part of the mystery… history establishment at Penguin, was a book called 'Hitler's Generals' [sic! Should be: 'The War Between the Generals'].
And Jim Rose called me in and said, I don't want you to publish this book. David Irving is a terrible anti-Semite and has some very strange views about the Third Reich and the war, and given your personal background, you won't have any trouble cancelling this book.
So I said to him, well, first I'd like to read it; I don't want to take it on your say-so. But I do know who David Irving is. I don't like him - I don't know him personally, but I don't like what he stands for. But this is a book, and I'd like to read it.
So, I either got a manuscript or a galley or physical book, I don't remember any longer, but I did read it, and I couldn't find anything that was particularly objectionable in the book. It was a rather straightforward history of the general corps of the Third Reich, Hitler's generals. There were some comments in it that perhaps I didn't like, as either a liberal or perhaps as a Jew, but I didn't find they were bad history as such.
And I, after reading the book, I said to Jim, I'm not going to cancel this book. I might cancel some other book that David Irving wrote, but not this book. He's a rather good historian of the subject of this book. His views on many matters are not attractive to me and I think are wrong, but there's nothing in this book about Hitler's generals that is such.
And I know Jim Rose was really disappointed with me. And it was one of my first tests because it was in the first six months of my Penguin years that this test came up. And I think I continued to be a very good liberal, and I was a very good liberal by refusing to censor the book. Whereas, Jim wanted me to be a good liberal by censoring the book.
So, little did I know I would be faced, down the corridor of time, with other issues like this. For example, the Salman Rushdie case. But I'm not one, normally, for the cancelling of books.

[@FreemonSandlewould]

So many people have trouble with intellectual freedom and freedom of speech. Irving is the best historian for hundreds of years.

[@getredytagetredy]

Without a doubt... He uncovered every rock to bring truth to his writings that were vilified by ignorant narratives of what he believes Then these insane commie psychopaths put him in a cage for 5 years...

[@daveytrump6516]

David Irving is the best historian on the 2nd world war! No one does research like david Irving!

[@bikinibandit2398]

This!^

[@justinrad5073]

​@@johanlaidoner122David Irving is way better.

[@johanlaidoner122]

@@justinrad5073 No

[@jurgenjung4302]

KZbin:"DIE VERBORGENE GESCHICHTE" TEIL1 👍

[@jurgenjung4302]

KZbin:ROBERT SEPHER mit "The Hidden History of Zionism " and "Subversive Origins of Communism" 👍

[@kevindiaz-lane4404]

Of all the historians who's works I have read, I have the greatest admiration for David Irving - he has lived a remarkable and courageous life!

[@mattmunroe9901]

Since when has lying and lionizing Nazis meant someone his courageous?

[@oldtimer7635]

BS! One can be a scumbag (Irwing), but still capable of writing decent historical books. As a person, I find him to be an obnoxious Hitler admirer. A fool to a core.

[@fouadmas5413]

It's awesome how he gives us insight from the Diary's of important people

[@MrChucke711]

Most Scholars and Historians get paid big bucks to have the same opinion, David had to work hard to make a living. The real truth is who was hanged for war crimes and who got on the secret ship called operation paperclip? The medical people were shown no mercy and terminated but the weapons makers lived good, remember dead people do not write books telling the secrets of weaponized meds.

[@magna4100]

Hear hear.

[@Politicalfan17]

David Irving is perhaps the best historian of our era, who fearlessly writes what he finds in the genuine historical documents, not inventing things for sales like other so-called “historians”. Freedom of speech is incredibly precious and must be defended.

[@shkodranalbi]

Well done, Mr Mayer. A true advocator of freedom of speech.

[@darrengray3782]

If only there was more like him, he is correct I have read several of David Irving's books and they are outstanding history books, try them!

[@darrengray3782]

creapsmantic I believe you can download some of David Irving's books for free on his website, go on educate yourself, the truth shines a light on the nonsense and propaganda, that is why the liars fear David so much, shalom

[@huboikjuh7326]

I got them all 2 days ago. All of them. Just started "The War Path" today. Amazing read. True, unadulterated History. No Allies bullshit Propaganda.

[@kdcruz75]

Has David Irving written about Martin Bormann..nazi cintinuum, his role with the duke of hess in the euthanasia program..and the Quandts family running labour camps ..and being rewarded by conspicuously not being hauled in front of the nuremberg trials

[@walterwhite3018]

@@huboikjuh7326 where you buy them

[@walterwhite3018]

@@huboikjuh7326 where you buy them

[@liamallan3700]

Best historian for the second world war in my opinion

[@ugaugauga488]

This sounds very reasonable and is what I would've done. If there's historical value in the book and there's no propaganda then by all means publish it. Mr. Irving should not be denied the opportunity to present historical details in the hope of depriving him of a source of income. That in the end would harm society more than him.

[@thomaswayneward]

If books with "propaganda" weren't published that would severely cut into book publishing.

[@ugaugauga488]

@@thomaswayneward Unfortunately, you're right. Lies do sell, more than something closer to the facts and truth.

[@Pantokrator1]

Well Done, Mr Meyer.

[@unfoedonnie7]

Freedom Of Speech- a Civil Right - America’s most Important Right. You made the correct choice Sir and I also am proud to call myself Liberal based on your exact reasoning here.

[@billygiles3276]

well done. irvings books are the most well researched and amazing history books that have probably ever been written.

[@thomaspick4123]

All David Irving’s stuff should be available on electronic media, such as Kindle.

[@michaelfern4079]

Full of ANTI-SEMITIC HATE-FACTS. Don’t fall for it fellow white man.

[@theculturedthug6609]

David Irving is the best historian on ww2 and the Nazis you get the truth. Irving knew most of the people he wrote about as he moved to Germany in the 60s and personally met these people.

[@anthonyat2401]

Absolutely.

[@williamspringer9447]

The great lies and crimes of the State must be defended . To do this historians like Irving have to be villainized and silenced. It is terrible that so many people have been so completely deceived .

[@anthonyat2401]

@@williamspringer9447 ...Indeed - and terrible that Mr Irving, who has given so much, has suffered so much simply for telling the truth with great integrity and in such an interesting way. I must offer to buy him dinner sometime.

[@willandrews9741]

Since no one person hold absolute objective truth within their hands the only thing to do is allow everyone a voice (or publishing rights) and let a general consensus emerge but even then let people decide for themselves. It’s when you set up schools (run by the govt) as the authorities or holders of the absolute truth that you get into trouble and you have to silence certain thoughts. I applaud this guy for publishing this book. If it’s just madness and lies then why fear it at all? And not just this subject, any subject?

[@doolittlegeorge]

"first I'd like to read the Book..

[@gutzzgutzz6795]

Good on you mate. "Where one burns books, one eventually burns people."

[@pavelusa3423]

Heinich Heine.well done

[@fouadmas5413]

They are now "burning information" from the net

[@Rumpleforeskin77]

Some books deserve to be burnt though .Some by Magnus Hirschfeld for certain

[@spazemfathemcazemmeleggymi272]

What books were they burning?

[@Biber0315]

Good for you. Let the reader be the judge. I fear to think of the books that have been denied because of an editor's or publishing house's agenda. Fortunately, any more self publishing is the way to go.

[@malcolmmacnab698]

Big Dave is very logical and honest who cares about truth more than emotion and conformaty. Face of a chad, mind of a chad!

[@jayjayjigsbys]

Irving aside, this man (Mayer) is a true American. Is open to others perspectives, but thinks for himself; actually reads the material in question; and is loyal to liberal principles over pressure from individuals. Sadly, those are rare qualities, and becoming even more rare.

[@keithad6485]

This publisher ought to be praised for upholding the right to freedom of expression (of Irving), the 'right to seek, receive and impart ideas of all kinds - verbal, written, audio, video etc.' our most basic fundamental right. Without freedom of expression, a democracy is a democracy in name only and if we cannot express what is going on around us without fear of censure, arrest etc, such as Police ignoring and suppressing human rights, those right will continue to be suppressed and we don't have those rights. That's my two cents worth - from an advocate for human rights.

[@faz..]

A very pragmatic approach to an issue.

[@BillySnaddon]

I must say that I have to applaud the bravery of the late Mr Mayer. Used to be the far-left only tried to shut down the far-right and at that point my thinking was that I didn't want anything to do with either side, Mr Irving included. Now we live in a world where classical liberals are shut down, the Conservative government is happy with intrusive hate crime legislation and free speech is a thing of the past. That made me give Mr Irving's books a chance and to my absolute shock they were nothing like what I thought they would be. Yes, the man has an agenda, but if you bear that in mind his works are among the best in the field. I wish I'd read them when I was in high school rather than waiting until I was in my 40s. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

[@uncatila]

BillySnaddon What agenda? to show a more honest view of history and to counter act some of the fake propaganda? that's no agenda. that's a noble charge.

[@richwilliam3378]

Good man; nobody is forced to buy the darned thing.

[@staffyforme]

"Id like to read it" . . . Respect.

[@Xantylon74]

He should be proud.

[@myquestformeaning8251]

Isn't it amazing (in a bad way) that we live in a world where people like this is the EXCEPTION rather than the rule?!

[@humanforfreedom9583]

If only more Jews were as decent and honest

[@josephfiore9233]

LMFAO

[@Rumpleforeskin77]

​@John I've been kicked out of over a hundred pubs a 1000 times but it's always their intolerance , we don't need to know about my behaviour

[@rexgeorg7324]

scary times we are living in

[@stardaddyo9]

I read several of David Irving's books decades ago before the holocost denial nonsense. I found them all to be very good reads.

[@jpbefree]

Nonsense?

[@shkodranalbi]

@@jpbefree it was nonsense, yes. He never denied anything; he just wanted to inquire about it and reach conclusions based on real documents.

[@terrytees]

Good for Peter

[@tombombadil6136]

Freedom to speak or write freely ,is a free society. Having anyone censor for someone else is tyranny.

[@fredtrueman9944]

Surely, the title should be 'The War Between the Generals'.... I have all Irving's works and none include 'Hitler's Generals'.

[@webofstories]

Hello Fred! Thank you for your comment. Yes, you are right. 'Hitler's Generals' is a book written by someone else. We will mark this in the transcript. Kind regards, Web of Stories

[@anthonyat2401]

What's the difference between "cancelling" books and burning them Mr Rose (n-whatever original suffix)? Sounds like a character from Nineteen Eighty-four. Well done Peter.

[@kodama44]

Where can I get the book? Not in Amazon.

[@darrengray3782]

kodama44 David Irving's website, your in for a treat there are no ww2 books that come close

[@kodama44]

Thank you Mr.Gray, I'll heartily grab Mr.Irving's new book!

[@scoobydoo4713]

kodama44 they r a bit pricey!

[@reichsfurherss7983]

@@darrengray3782 will the himmler book be out this decade?

[@cdna199]

@@scoobydoo4713 TRUTH is PRICEY

[@jamesmason8944]

We only need to look at the case of a certain historical character and the summary justice he received.

[@Rumpleforeskin77]

Hess ?

[@jamesmason8944]

​​@@Rumpleforeskin77 bit further back. Like 2,000 odd years, from the Royal lineage of the Celtic Germanic peoples

[@matthewhumphreys6100]

We now live in a woke, cancel-culture just as bad as any extreme political regime be it Fascist or Communist (by the way they are both socialist political philosophies). The truth is the truth. If you can't handle it then just watch TV, if you have a brain and can make your own mind up then fight for your right to intellectual rigour and objective history. I have no affinity for Germany (they tried damn hard to kill both my parents), and my grandfathers, but I really would like to know what really happened and not what someone wants me to know!!!

[@hakapeszimaki8369]

Commies are infamous abot distorting the reality and the truth.

[@footysleeper4529]

Very well said, I agree.

[@Rumpleforeskin77]

But they didn't kill them did they ..

[@cstew8355]

Good on you

[@freemason4979]

This man is a gentleman and a scholar

[@keithad6485]

Unimpressed with the censorship taking place with these comments. My previous comment added several hours ago which was innocuous and only alerted readers that Irv ing is very ill and bed ridden, needs constant care and not likely to recover, and has ceased his life's work, was taken off straight away. Maybe Irv ing has something when he used to talk about the traditional enemies of freedom of speech. Feb 2024.

[@TheJayTex]

I may find his views abhorrent, but his works shouldn’t be censored. Have to let people judge for themselves

[@stephen227]

Like Communist ot even Liberal historicity is accurate or objective.

[@dermotosullivan3065]

I read the book years ago and I don't remember anything untoward about it.

[@killian0408]

Very objectionable

[@hakapeszimaki8369]

Strange views come when someone start asking why things happened. Nat.soc was an aswer to capitalism and marxist communism. Marxism is still alive nat.soc was ereased.

[@Rumpleforeskin77]

Natsoc is natural politics for Europeans

[@ryanmercer7804]

Ye24

[@thomaswayneward]

An old timey liberal, one that believes in free speech.

[@historicrecord]

The judge summarised his findings as follows: Irving has for his own ideological reasons persistently and deliberately misrepresented and manipulated historical evidence; that for the same reasons he has portrayed Hitler in an unwarrantedly favourable light, principally in relation to his attitude towards and responsibility for the treatment of the Jews; that he is an active Holocaust denier; that he is anti-Semitic and racist, and that he associates with right-wing extremists who promote neo-Nazism...[4][64] therefore the defence of justification succeeds...[5] It follows that there must be judgment for the Defendants.[65]

[@RSR423]

Of course he found in favour of Lipstadt you moron.

[@davidb2206]

That does not read like justice from an impartial judge at all. That's what happens in a set-up like that one.

[@organismseven3700]

Amazing what an army of lawyers backed up by millions of dollars can achieve. If you think the court system is all about truth and justice you must be incredibly naive.

[@historicrecord]

@@organismseven3700 You are conveniently forgetting that it was Irving who sued Lipsdat and not the other way around. But I guess you are not really interested in the truth

[@organismseven3700]

@@historicrecord Not forgetting anything, thank you. Irving has publicly stated that he had to take action against Lipstadt because she and many of her "allies" had been trying to destroy his career for years. They had waged a campaign for years to get all mainstream publishers and distributors to stop his work from being available. Irving felt he had no other choice but to fight back. That was poor judgement on his part. But I understand why he chose to do so. Many people decry those who choose to burn books. But there are other more devious ways to censor authors. No matter the method, it is still a disgusting practice. The fact remains that even if you dislike Irving and don't like his work you can simply choose not to read it. You do not, or should not, have the right to prevent others from making their own decision to do so.