Overview

George Ward Price became the leading journalist of the 1930s through a string of exclusive stories about Nazi Germany. He spent an hour alone with Hitler and Göring after the remilitarisation of the Rhineland. He stood next to Hitler as he addressed a crowd on the night of the invasion of Austria. And he joined Hitler for afternoon tea at the Eagle's Nest following his historic first meeting with Neville Chamberlain. These stories made Ward Price world famous, but he himself seemed uncomfortable in the glare of the spotlight, hiding his true self behind a carefully cultivated veneer of suave and easy-going charm. Interviewing Hitler is the first book to attempt to discover the real Ward Price, and the truth of his reporting on Hitler. He emerges as a debonair, monocle-wearing raconteur who boxed with Hemingway, fought a duel in Germany, took part in a bombing raid over Austria, and was almost killed while flying with Mussolini. He interviewed many of the leading figures of the first half of the twentieth century, including Churchill, Hirohito, De Gaulle and Clemenceau. But behind his cover of insouciance and charm lay a cynical and ambitious personality who would stop at nothing to get to the top of his profession. It is a journey that takes us through a series of historic events, and deep into the dark heart of British journalism. His story provides fascinating insights into the pre-war years of Nazi Germany and the complicated waters through which the British press navigated themselves. It is also a timely reminder of the importance of fair, unbiased and balanced reporting, and a warning of the dangers of compromise for the sake of personal ambition. AUTHOR: Sir Richard Evans is a former journalist, having written for The Times, the Guardian, the BBC, among others. He has worked in public relations roles in the charity sector and local government for the past eight years and is currently Head of Media for Diabetes UK. He lives in Hertfordshire with his wife and two children and is the author of From the Frontline: The Extraordinary Life of Sir Basil Clarke (The History Press, 2013). 20 b/w illustrations

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9781803999135

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Reviews

'An excellent account of the man and his time.' - John Simpson, BBC World Affairs Editor 'Once again, Evans has rescued a fascinating piece of newspaper history. He presents a disturbing portrait of a Fleet Street journalist who, in getting close to Hitler, spent years acting as his apologist... until the outbreak of war.' - Roy Greenslade, media commentator and former editor of the Daily Mirror 'Richard Evans has given us - yet again - a tale from the past that feels urgently relevant today. It's compelling, surprising, and wise.' - Tim Harford, author, Financial Times columnist and presenter of Radio 4's More or Less 'Richard Evans has written a compelling and long-overdue biography of George Ward Price, one of the most influential journalists of his time. Cynical and ambitious, Ward Price was adept at sniffing out a good story. But his journalistic spin was unsavoury, corrosive and antisemitic, and would seal his reputation as one of the 20th century’s most controversial journalists. In an age of disinformation and fake news. Interviewing Hitler is a timely reminder of the importance of fair, unbiased and balanced reporting.' - Giles Milton, historian 'As the British journalist who knew Adolf Hitler best, George Ward Price has intrigued scholars, fellow journalists, and history readers ever since. He was centre stage for many of the Fuhrer’s pre-war triumphs and played a pivotal role in Great Britain’s clumsy dealings with the National Socialist regime. But despite his controversial and very public role in befriending the dictators, Ward Price has remained an enigma ever since. Richard Evans has filled that gap with this thoughtful and painstakingly researched but refreshingly readable critical biography. It is essential reading for anyone interested in Anglo-German relations in the 1930s.' - Charles Spicer, author of Coffee With Hitler 'George Ward Price was one of the most important journalists of his day, the man able to scoop interviews and take tea with the most pungent dictators; but as Richard Evans shows in this remarkable book, Ward Price was for from being unsympathetic towards their views. Evans has not only written an important history book, he exposes us to the Ward Prices of our own time.' - Giles MacDonogh, historian and author of 1938: Hitler's Gamble

‘An excellent account of the man and his time.’ -- John Simpson, BBC World Affairs Editor ‘Once again, Evans has rescued a fascinating piece of newspaper history. He presents a disturbing portrait of a Fleet Street journalist who, in getting close to Hitler, spent years acting as his apologist... until the outbreak of war.’ -- Roy Greenslade, media commentator and former editor of the <i>Daily Mirror</i> ‘Richard Evans has given us - yet again - a tale from the past that feels urgently relevant today. It's compelling, surprising, and wise.’ -- Tim Harford, author, <i>Financial Times</i> columnist and presenter of Radio 4's <i>More or Less</i> ‘Richard Evans has written a compelling and long-overdue biography of George Ward Price, one of the most influential journalists of his time. Cynical and ambitious, Ward Price was adept at sniffing out a good story. But his journalistic spin was unsavoury, corrosive and antisemitic, and would seal his reputation as one of the 20th century’s most controversial journalists. In an age of disinformation and fake news. Interviewing Hitler is a timely reminder of the importance of fair, unbiased and balanced reporting.’ -- Giles Milton, historian ‘As the British journalist who knew Adolf Hitler best, George Ward Price has intrigued scholars, fellow journalists, and history readers ever since. He was centre stage for many of the Fuhrer’s pre-war triumphs and played a pivotal role in Great Britain’s clumsy dealings with the National Socialist regime. But despite his controversial and very public role in befriending the dictators, Ward Price has remained an enigma ever since. Richard Evans has filled that gap with this thoughtful and painstakingly researched but refreshingly readable critical biography. It is essential reading for anyone interested in Anglo-German relations in the 1930s.’ -- Charles Spicer, author of <i>Coffee With Hitler</i> ‘George Ward Price was one of the most important journalists of his day, the man able to scoop interviews and take tea with the most pungent dictators; but as Richard Evans shows in this remarkable book, Ward Price was for from being unsympathetic towards their views. Evans has not only written an important history book, he exposes us to the Ward Prices of our own time.’ -- Giles MacDonogh, historian and author of <i>1938: Hitler's Gamble</i> 'In any case, early on in his book, Evans produces a piece of evidence that, taken at face value, unequivocally condemns the Mail’s preeminent reporter.' -- John Banville ‘A timely reminder of the danger of prioritising access to those in power over holding them to account.’ * <i>History of War</i> magazine *

‘An excellent account of the man and his time.’ -- John Simpson, BBC World Affairs Editor ‘Once again, Evans has rescued a fascinating piece of newspaper history. He presents a disturbing portrait of a Fleet Street journalist who, in getting close to Hitler, spent years acting as his apologist... until the outbreak of war.’ -- Roy Greenslade, media commentator and former editor of the <i>Daily Mirror</i> ‘Richard Evans has given us - yet again - a tale from the past that feels urgently relevant today. It's compelling, surprising, and wise.’ -- Tim Harford, author, <i>Financial Times</i> columnist and presenter of Radio 4's <i>More or Less</i> ‘Richard Evans has written a compelling and long-overdue biography of George Ward Price, one of the most influential journalists of his time. Cynical and ambitious, Ward Price was adept at sniffing out a good story. But his journalistic spin was unsavoury, corrosive and antisemitic, and would seal his reputation as one of the 20th century’s most controversial journalists. In an age of disinformation and fake news. Interviewing Hitler is a timely reminder of the importance of fair, unbiased and balanced reporting.’ -- Giles Milton, historian ‘As the British journalist who knew Adolf Hitler best, George Ward Price has intrigued scholars, fellow journalists, and history readers ever since. He was centre stage for many of the Fuhrer’s pre-war triumphs and played a pivotal role in Great Britain’s clumsy dealings with the National Socialist regime. But despite his controversial and very public role in befriending the dictators, Ward Price has remained an enigma ever since. Richard Evans has filled that gap with this thoughtful and painstakingly researched but refreshingly readable critical biography. It is essential reading for anyone interested in Anglo-German relations in the 1930s.’ -- Charles Spicer, author of <i>Coffee With Hitler</i> ‘George Ward Price was one of the most important journalists of his day, the man able to scoop interviews and take tea with the most pungent dictators; but as Richard Evans shows in this remarkable book, Ward Price was for from being unsympathetic towards their views. Evans has not only written an important history book, he exposes us to the Ward Prices of our own time.’ -- Giles MacDonogh, historian and author of <i>1938: Hitler's Gamble</i>

Author Information

RICHARD EVANS is a former journalist who has spent the last 18 years leading communications teams for health charities. He is the author of two books: The Explorer and the Journalist and From the Frontline. He lives in Hertfordshire with his wife and two children.

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