The Seven Addictions and Five Professions of Anita Berber: Weimar Berlin's Priestess of Decadence Paperback – Illustrated, 18 May 2006

Having a keen interest in the history of Weimar Germany's politics and culture, the name of Anita Berber figured prominently in my study of the performing arts of the time and I became fascinated by this enigmatic and innovative artist who outraged decent society and at the same time was admired and celebrated by many. I agree wholeheartedly with the commentator who pointed out that although artists like Lady Gaga and Madonna were and are considered innovative and outrageous performers, Anita Berber was out-doing them some 90 years previously!A product of the social conditions prevailing at the time and the lust for art and entertainment that continually pushed the boundaries of decency and morality, she became the very embodiment of all of the excesses that Berlin had become a centre for. She was a notorious personality in Berlin appearing often at clubs such as the Eldorado and other establishments catering to the Trans-gender/transvestite culture amongst others.She was feted amongst individuals who favoured alternative lifestyles and toured Europe with her shocking performances. Her star burned for a short period of time.A chronic drug user and alcoholic, her physical condition deteriorated and ultimately she became more famous for her outrageous public behaviour and substance abuse than her artistic performances. She was the subject of a striking portrait completed in 1925 by the celebrated German artist Otto Dix who perfectly captured the essence of Weimar Berlin excesses in the prematurely aging, emaciated and defiant figure of Anita Berber. She died aged 29. This book is immensely readable with many period photographs of both Berber and other cabaret and burlesque performers of the time. This book is a must for anyone interested in this period of German history and the development of performing arts of this genre.

This book tells the story of the short life of Anita Berber, a very well-known night club dancer in Germany in the 1920s. Berber rose to fame by her unusual Expressionistic dancing, sometimes in a troupe, sometimes alone, and in many of her more notorious dance routines, with her partner Sebastian Droste. Berber rose to notoriety by virtue of her appearing in male costume, also often appearing in public locations wearing only a fur coat that was then discarded, and finally as a result of her drug taking and prolific promiscuity with both male and female partners.Unfortunately, the author, Professor Gordon, does not have sufficient material to properly justify a book of 195 pages, so there are many excursions giving us biographical details of other characters often not directly associated with the life of Berber. The story is portrayed in a sensationalist, journalistic style, and is poorly written. There are frequent spelling mistakes in the text indicative of poor editing. I have to say that I am unconvinced by some of the finely detailed and dramatically recounted ‘outrageous’ incidences, and suspect a certain amount of myth-making.The book contains many interesting black and white illustrations with a few colour plates. Some may feel that this justifies buying the book, however, I was able to find many of the same illustrations on the internet without too much effort.

great book about a strange girl in a strange period in history. the way this book is written is very american, why use one word when twenty will do? dont let that put you off though as it is a great read.

So boringly written. What should be a fascinating account, just goes on giving one fact after another, not creating any storyline. Such a waste of a potentially captivating story.

Highly recommended for those with this particular taste.

Disappointing. too much about her various dancers and no sense of teh real Anita

Appallingly badly-written (easily one of the worst books I've ever had the misfortune to read), redeeming itself and its purchase price only with the generous number of photographs, many of which I'd never seen before. I found myself skimming the text itself, which is not written in a scholarly way, elides way too much, and offers very little in the way of either facts, insights, or analyses.