Forgotten Fatherland: The search for Elisabeth Nietzsche

by Ben Macintyre

Bloomsbury presents Forgotten Fatherland, written and read by Ben Macintyre

'Startling, dark and absorbing' Independent
'Excellent travel vivid, sympathetic, humorous' Guardian
'Fascinating, provocative and highly eccentric' New York Times
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In 1886 Elisabeth Nietzsche, the philosopher Friedrich's bigoted, imperious sister, founded a 'racially pure' colony in Paraguay together with a band of blond-haired fellow Germans. Over a century later, Ben Macintyre sought out the survivors of Nueva Germania to discover the remains of this bizarre colony.

Forgotten Fatherland vividly recounts his arduous adventure locating the survivors, while also tracing the colorful history of Elisabeth's return to Europe, where she inspired the mythical cult of her brother's philosophy and later became a mentor to Hitler. Brilliantly researched and mordantly funny, this is an illuminating portrait of a forgotten people and of a woman whose deep influence on the twentieth century can only now be fully understood.

Audible Audio

Published September 4, 2025

About the author

Ben Macintyre is a writer-at-large for The Times (U.K.) and the bestselling author of The Spy and the Traitor, A Spy Among Friends, Double Cross, Operation Mincemeat, Agent Zigzag, and Rogue Heroes, among other books. Macintyre has also written and presented BBC documentaries of his work.

Reviews

[Paige D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgotten Fatherland is a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of a strange and largely forgotten historical experiment. Ben Macintyre masterfully combines investigative storytelling with vivid travel writing, bringing the story of Elisabeth Nietzsche and Nueva Germania to life with clarity and depth. Both unsettling and fascinating, this book sheds light on the enduring impact of one woman’s influence and the echoes of history that still linger today. A compelling read for anyone interested in hidden histories and richly told nonfiction.

[Kathryn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Words cannot express how much I did not care.