Sunday, July 25, 2010

Was the "Mad Baron" a Nazi?









  1. This vile myth about the Baron comes from " The Bloody White Baron". That book is the most insane thing ever written only second to Mein Kampif. I'm surprised that the author didn't accuse the Mad Baron of mass murder of unicorns. His other claims were just as valid as if had accused Mad baron of unicorn genocide.

  2. It actually predates the book but Palmer has certainly contributed to it. I was very, *very* disappointed in it, not just because of the unfavorable portrayal of the Baron (that is to be expected) but because there really was nothing new in it and he draws from certain accounts to back-up his point of view in one area but then dismisses the very same account as unreliable when there is conflict. Add to the poor scholarship the fact that much of the book has nothing at all to do with the subject and you get a pretty worthless biography.

  3. I'm grateful to know that about the recent biography. I was watching it since its publication. I'm going to take it off my amazon shopping list right now!

    That's funny about unicorns.

    What IS the rest of the book about?

    I always rather liked the guy.
    There was a gripping novel, the title of which I've forgotten, which included a sizeable segment about him, I'll have to remember the name.
    [sure you have read it.]

    The Baron actually got something done which was remarkable considering the massive confusion in that area in that era !

    Yes the swastika most people are aware, was an ancient Sanskrit symbol.

    I like your new "Restore Mongol Glory" !
    I always was drawn to those Khutukhtus, and visited the Palace in Ulan Baator with great interest.

    Have you been there ?

  4. Much of the book reads like a Mongolian travel guide or is filled with the author's speculations and rather asinine observations about Buddhism. The one book most people are familiar with that features the Baron is "Beasts, Men and Gods" which is one of those books that Palmer discounts when it pleases him and quotes at times as well. It was written by a Pole who did know the Baron during his time in Mongolia.

    Yes, the Winter Palace is rather captivating, very unique in many ways. I loved it there it is just a little too cold for this desert creature.

  5. Mannerheim was also called the "Bloody Baron." Seems to be a name slapped on all these sorts of people. And I think there was a similar-sounding book on Mannerheim published in Swedish entitled "The White Devil." BTW, another idea, MM, would you consider doing a 'Monarchist Profile' on Marshal Mannerheim?

  6. World War I seemed to be full of such titles; the Mad Baron, the Bloody Baron, the White Baron, the Black Baron, the Red Baron - how to keep up! I have thought before about doing a write-up on Mannerheim (he is one of my favorite figures of the era) I just wasn't sure "where" to put him though upon reflection he would fit as a monarchist -he did side with them against the Bolshies.

  7. Yes, and he preferred a monarchy for Finland- although he was willing to work with a republic.

  8. Does anyone have an account or chronology of his life?


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