BIG RARE OFFICIAL 1938 KRAFT DURCH FREUDE PHOTO BOOK

This hard to find 10 x 11-3/4 inch, 200 page hardcover book plus a fold-out map in the back with KdF travel destinations is probably one of the most comprehensive official books on Dr. Robert Ley’s KdF organization! It was published by the Reich Leadership of the NS-Gemeinschaft Kraft durch Freude (KdF or Strenght through Joy) and published in 1938 by the Publishing House of the German Labor Front in Berlin.

Shortly after the seizure of power the free trade Unions were dissolved in Germany. Their members were absorbed into the new created Deutsche Arbeitsfront (DAF or German Labor Front) under the leadership of Reichsorganisationsleiter Dr. Robert Ley. The KdF was a subdivision of the DAF and was essentially designed for the purpose of providing organized leisure for the German worker. The concept behind the KdF was “organized relaxation for the collection of strenght to perform more work”. The KdF offered activities such as trips, cruises, concerts and other cultural activities hoping that, by bringing the pleasures once reserved only for the rich to the ordinary workers, it would improve the productivity. A very popular program were the easily affordable international cruises provided by a fleet of nine modern KdF liners to foreign destinations such as Norway, Spain, Portugal, the North African coast, etc.

Another major aspect of the KdF was the attempt to make the automobile a reality for as many Germans as possible. The world famous Volkswagen (people’s car) was created by Ferdinand Porsche and a system was set up to allow nearly anyone to purchase and own one. Another special department of the DAF was the Schönheit der Arbeit (SdA or Beauty of the workplace) under the leadership of Reich Minister Albert Speer. Its task was to embellish the workplaces of millions of German workers, from small shops to big factories. It pleaded for green spaces in factories, warm meals at work, cleaner workplaces, etc. Even new china, silverware, lamps, etc. were created by the SdA.

All the above is explained in this wonderful book, heavily illustrated with 200 photographs! The book is in very good condition and will make an important addition to anyones collection of historical Third Reich material.