Fat Boy and the Champagne Salesman: Göring, Ribbentrop, and the Nazi Invasion of Poland

by Rush Loving

Fat Boy and the Champagne Salesman offers a compelling behind-the-scenes exploration of the road to World War II and the invasion of Poland by the Hitler's Third Reich. Focusing on the personal power plays within Hitler's inner circle, author Rush Loving details the struggle for Hitler's approval, long before the battle for Poland had begun. The rivalry was between "Fat Boy," the moniker given to Hermann Göring by his fellow Nazi generals, and "the Champagne Salesman," Joachim von Ribbentrop, nicknamed for his previous career, and it was at the heart of Germany's plans for the expansion of the Reich into Poland. Göring, founder of the Lüftwaffe and the man who oversaw the armaments industry, was convinced that any invasion of Poland would lead to war with England and France, who were committed to its defense. Von Ribbentrop, Hitler's foreign minister, argued that the Allies would stand down and continue their policy of appeasement. Only one would be proved correct.  An engrossing and dramatic tale, Fat Boy and the Champagne Salesman shows Göring and Ribbentrop playing a tug-of-war with Hitler's will. Loving's vivid narrative of the struggle between the two advisers lends a new understanding of the events leading to the opening days of World War II.

Genres: World War II, History

167 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 9, 2022

Reviews

[David Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aside from being very readable and filled with endless facts concerning the invasion of Poland in 1939, the book presented a “behind the scenes” look at the lead-up to this monumental event. Although most historians agree that the odious Joachim von Ribbentrop (i.e., the “Champagne Salesman”) was completely incompetent and out of his league as a diplomat, this well-researched book detailed the central role he played in convincing Hitler that England and France would never go to war if Poland were attacked. On the other end of the spectrum, Hermann Goring (i.e., “Fat Boy”), Hitler’s Luftwaffe commander, was completely opposed to such an action.

Overall, the book was an eye-opener, as I had always assumed that the invasion of Poland was a forgone plan of the Nazi Reich. Instead, along with Goring, there were other Nazi leaders and generals who were either against the attack or had very little enthusiasm for it. For that matter, the diaries of Count Galeazzo Ciano, the son-in-law of Benito Mussolini, recorded the Italian dictator’s reluctance to be part of such a venture.

Regardless of the detailed facts presented for this key moment in WWII, I felt that the author put Goring, a violent psychopath, in far too much of a positive light. For that matter, he even noted how well liked the outwardly charming Nazi general was among his American captors. In this regard, there was only a passing reference concerning Goring’s creation of the Gestapo, as well as his part in signing the “Final Solution,” which laid the groundwork for the Holocaust.

Despite these misgivings about Goring, I found the book well worth a 4 ½ star rating…..which I’ve rounded upward to a full 5-stars.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a war of personalities three men dominate this book. Ribbentrop, Goring, and of course, Hitler himself. According to the author the obstinacy and misjudgments made by Hitler and Ribbentrop led them to underestimate the determination of Britain and France to wage war. In addition, Hitler had hoped for the support of Mussolini's Italy, but that was delayed until Mussolini thought it was time for a 'sure thing.' So many mistakes, so much ego that would eventually cost so many lives.

The author seems sypathetic to Goring who didn't think war with Britain was a good idea, but I believe he ignores Goring's mistakes in the Battle Britain and the Eastern Front. He may not have wanted war, but he threw his Luftwaffe into it when he had the chance. Not only that, he was guilty of stealing art treasures on a big-time basis. This was not a man who was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

As for Ribbentrop, he thought he 'knew' the British. He kept urging Hitler on as the days of peace slipped away. He soon found out how he had misjudged Germany's opponents. Sure their stance cost them dearly, but in the end the Allies outfought the Fascists and survived. Nazi Germany did not.

[Malcolm Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly it is not Goring,it is Goering.
By chance I had just finished The Failed Mission by Neville Henderson.So this book have me a differently on the last few weeks of peace in Berlin.Hitler apart from being a megalomaniac was useless when it came diplomacy and foreign affairs.He made a fatal blunder in appointing Ribentropas foreign minister.It was this decision that led to war.Mind you Hitler's idea of diplomacy was intimidation,bullying and threats.
It is apparent that the author has some sympathy with Goering.This is misplaced.Goering,as commander of the Luftwaffe was responsible for the devastation in Rotterdam Warsaw and London,where over 40000 were killed.

[Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not revisionist

An interesting review of the events given access to documents not previously available. While Hitler made many mistakes, his allowing Ribbentrop the influence he had regarding foreign policy doomed him from the outset. Not to say the results would have been different.