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This dual biography examines two complex lives that began alike but were on opposite sides of the Second World War. Acclaimed German historian Karin Wieland contextualises these lives within the vicious crosscurrents of a turbulent generation, chronicling revolutions in politics, fame and sexuality on a grand stage.

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Coming of age at the dawn of the Weimar Republic, both Marlene Dietrich and Leni Riefenstahl sought fame in Germanys silent film industry. While Dietrichs depiction of the femme fatale Lola Lola in The Blue Angel catapulted her to Hollywood stardom, Riefenstahl - who missed out on the part - insinuated herself into Hitlers inner circle and found infamy directing Nazi propaganda films like Triumph of the Will. Dietrich, who toured tirelessly with the USO, could never truly go home again, while Riefenstahl was forever contaminated by her political associations. Acclaimed German historian Karin Wieland contextualises these lives within the vicious crosscurrents of a turbulent generation, chronicling revolutions in politics, fame and sexuality on a grand stage.

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Karin Wieland is a historian of political theory at the Hamburg Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Culture.

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