Defender Of Minorities: Paul Schiemann 1876-1944

Description:
The Latvian-German politician and journalist Paul Schiemann was a passionate advocate of independence for the indigenous Baltic peoples. He unflinchingly resisted all forms of political extremism and wrote one of the earliest extended critical analysis of National Socialism. Schiemann vigorously opposed Nazi infiltration of the German minorities' movement and through this the European Nationalities' Congress. He also endured and commented bitingly on his experience of life under communist rule in the Baltic states. His memories, which he began to dictate to a young Jewish girl whom he was hiding, testify to his ideas on minority rights, extremism and Europe's future. Hiden's biography of this courageous man who battled against both Baltic and German nationalism opens up a little-explored chapter of Baltic history in a region today seen once more as the litmus test of the new Europe.

Review:
'Hiden's biography of this courageous man who battled against both Baltic and German nationalismopens up a little-explored chapter of Baltic history in a region today seen once more as the litmus test of the new Europe. Professor Hiden's passion for the story of Schiemann's selfless devotion to Latvia and to minority participation and rights informs and energizes an unbiased understanding of the rise and political developmentof an independent Latvia and of the descentof Europe into ultra-nationalism and war. It is compelling and essential reading for anyone interested in European history.' -Latvians Online

Author Biography:
John Hiden was Professor of History at the University of Bradford.