Book Reviews: Nazis, Nazi Germany, Hitler, Fascism, Holocaust
The Nazis are widely considered to have been one of the most evil and vicious political organizations ever to have existed. They murderous regime killed millions, including around six million Jews in the Holocaust. What was behind their ideology? What motivated Hitler? What is the attraction of fascism and fascist beliefs?
Hitler's Justice: The Courts of the Third Reich, by Ingo Muller
Leaders of the Third Reich were put on trial after World War II, with the argument being that the Nazi government acted in a criminal manner. Within Germany, however, those institutions responsible for punishing crime and upholding justice were themselves integral components of the Nazi machine. Without the active and even eager complicity of lawyers, judges, professors, and everyone else involved with criminal justice, the injustices of the Third Reich might never have happened.
Leaders of the Third Reich were put on trial after World War II, with the argument being that the Nazi government acted in a criminal manner. Within Germany, however, those institutions responsible for punishing crime and upholding justice were themselves integral components of the Nazi machine. Without the active and even eager complicity of lawyers, judges, professors, and everyone else involved with criminal justice, the injustices of the Third Reich might never have happened.
The Nazi Dictatorship: Problems and Perspectives of Interpretation, by Ian Kersh
The Nazi dictatorship under Adolf Hitler is the most significant event of the 20th century and ranks as one of the most significant events in all of human history - though not for any positive reasons. Given this important role, it's not surprising that more is written about the Nazis than most other historical subjects, but what may be surprising to many is just how many significant debates and problems exist for historians. There's a lot which we simply don't know - and may never know.
The Nazi dictatorship under Adolf Hitler is the most significant event of the 20th century and ranks as one of the most significant events in all of human history - though not for any positive reasons. Given this important role, it's not surprising that more is written about the Nazis than most other historical subjects, but what may be surprising to many is just how many significant debates and problems exist for historians. There's a lot which we simply don't know - and may never know.
Catholic Theologians in Nazi Germany
The role of Christian theologians in Nazi Germany, including members of the Catholic Church, cannot be underestimated. The cooperation between Catholic leaders and Nazi leaders was conditioned in large part on the writings of Catholic theologians who paved the way for this to happen.
The role of Christian theologians in Nazi Germany, including members of the Catholic Church, cannot be underestimated. The cooperation between Catholic leaders and Nazi leaders was conditioned in large part on the writings of Catholic theologians who paved the way for this to happen.
The Anatomy of Fascism, by Robert O. Paxton
Everyone knows about fascism, but not everyone quite knows what fascism is. Indeed, does anyone really know what fascism is? That's an important question: fascism is such a diverse political and social phenomenon that it seems to be used more as an epithet than as a serious political category.
Everyone knows about fascism, but not everyone quite knows what fascism is. Indeed, does anyone really know what fascism is? That's an important question: fascism is such a diverse political and social phenomenon that it seems to be used more as an epithet than as a serious political category.
Mothers in the Fatherland: Women, the Family and Nazi Politics
The Nazi party was about as misogynistic as any modern political party has ever been. Its views on women and women's proper roles in society were extreme; yet at the same time, the Nazi party was broadly and actively supported by large numbers of women. It's arguable that Hitler and the Nazis wouldn't have achieved what they did without the activism of devoutly religious women...
The Nazi party was about as misogynistic as any modern political party has ever been. Its views on women and women's proper roles in society were extreme; yet at the same time, the Nazi party was broadly and actively supported by large numbers of women. It's arguable that Hitler and the Nazis wouldn't have achieved what they did without the activism of devoutly religious women...
Catholic Theologians in Nazi Germany
Catholic Theologians in Nazi Germany, by Robert A. Krieg. Publisher: Continuum.
Catholic Theologians in Nazi Germany, by Robert A. Krieg. Publisher: Continuum.
Where Ghosts Walked: Munich's Road to the Third Reich
Adolf Hitler was born and raised in Austria. After he became Chancellor of Germany, the capitol of the nation remained in Berlin. The capital of his Nazi movement, however, was neither in Austria nor Berlin -- it was in Munich, the capitol of conservative, Catholic Bavaria.
Adolf Hitler was born and raised in Austria. After he became Chancellor of Germany, the capitol of the nation remained in Berlin. The capital of his Nazi movement, however, was neither in Austria nor Berlin -- it was in Munich, the capitol of conservative, Catholic Bavaria.
The Logic of Evil: The Social Origins of the Nazi Party
One of the most important questions for historians and sociologists has long been the reasons why so many people willingly, even eagerly, joined or just voted for the Nazi Party in Germany. Many different explanations have been offered, for example German inclinations towards authoritarianism and virulent anti-Semitism. What if the reasons were far more ordinary, however?
One of the most important questions for historians and sociologists has long been the reasons why so many people willingly, even eagerly, joined or just voted for the Nazi Party in Germany. Many different explanations have been offered, for example German inclinations towards authoritarianism and virulent anti-Semitism. What if the reasons were far more ordinary, however?
Hitler: 1889-1936 Hubris, by Ian Kershaw
The importance of Adolf Hitler for the history of the 20th century is undeniable. People see him as the personification of evil rather than as a human being, though, and this creates a problem because it allows us to treat him as separate from the rest of humanity, as a 'thing' or force which cannot be explained in human terms.
The importance of Adolf Hitler for the history of the 20th century is undeniable. People see him as the personification of evil rather than as a human being, though, and this creates a problem because it allows us to treat him as separate from the rest of humanity, as a 'thing' or force which cannot be explained in human terms.
Hitler: 1936-1945 Nemesis
Although Hitler did not enjoy overwhelming support from the German people when he took power, his popularity did grow until he was lauded with almost unbridled enthusiasm from all sectors of German society. He and the Nazi party are regarded today as the epitome of human evil, so how could the German people have become so enthralled by them?
Although Hitler did not enjoy overwhelming support from the German people when he took power, his popularity did grow until he was lauded with almost unbridled enthusiasm from all sectors of German society. He and the Nazi party are regarded today as the epitome of human evil, so how could the German people have become so enthralled by them?
The Holy Reich: Nazi Conceptions of Christianity
A popular belief is that Nazism was the polar opposite of Christianity: in Germany, the Nazis planned to eliminate Christian churches while devout Christians opposed the Nazi agenda. Is this perception accurate? No. Some Nazis were anti-Christian and some Christians were anti-Nazi, but the majority were equally at home in both camps.
A popular belief is that Nazism was the polar opposite of Christianity: in Germany, the Nazis planned to eliminate Christian churches while devout Christians opposed the Nazi agenda. Is this perception accurate? No. Some Nazis were anti-Christian and some Christians were anti-Nazi, but the majority were equally at home in both camps.
Betrayal: German Churches and the Holocaust
The Nazis would not have been able to achieve what they did in Germany and Europe without the active assistance of millions of Christians. This, in turn, was achieved in large part by the assistance of German churches: whether through silent acquiescence or active participation, German churches helped make the Nazi control of Germany possible.
The Nazis would not have been able to achieve what they did in Germany and Europe without the active assistance of millions of Christians. This, in turn, was achieved in large part by the assistance of German churches: whether through silent acquiescence or active participation, German churches helped make the Nazi control of Germany possible.
Hitler’s Prisons: Legal Terror in Nazi Germany
When most people think of imprisonment in the Nazi Germany, they probably imagine concentration camps - and they are justifiably an icon of the horrors perpetrated by the Nazis. At the same time, though, far more people were held in regular prisons than in concentration camps, so their significance in German life was far greater.
When most people think of imprisonment in the Nazi Germany, they probably imagine concentration camps - and they are justifiably an icon of the horrors perpetrated by the Nazis. At the same time, though, far more people were held in regular prisons than in concentration camps, so their significance in German life was far greater.
The 'Hitler Myth': Image and Reality in the Third Reich
Hitler enjoyed more personal popularity in Germany than perhaps any other world leader in history. Many scholars have sought to understand why he was so popular and thus why so many people in a modern, industrialized nation were willing to follow him into madness, barbarism, and self-destruction.
Hitler enjoyed more personal popularity in Germany than perhaps any other world leader in history. Many scholars have sought to understand why he was so popular and thus why so many people in a modern, industrialized nation were willing to follow him into madness, barbarism, and self-destruction.
Doctors from Hell: The Horrific Account of Nazi Experiments
Most people are aware that one of the fundamental moral principles for all doctors is to 'do no harm,' a principle which can be traced back to Hippocrates and the very beginnings of the Western medical tradition. Unfortunately, not all doctors heed this precept: the worst and most extreme examples can be found in the history of Nazi Germany...
Most people are aware that one of the fundamental moral principles for all doctors is to 'do no harm,' a principle which can be traced back to Hippocrates and the very beginnings of the Western medical tradition. Unfortunately, not all doctors heed this precept: the worst and most extreme examples can be found in the history of Nazi Germany...
Alternatives to Hitler: German Resistance under the Third Reich
Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, has stated in the past that resistance to the Nazis was “impossible” and that’s why he cooperated with the Nazi authorities when he was young. Is that true, however? Was it really not possible for people to resist the Nazi regime and thereby either deny it the support it needed or even seek to replace it? The evidence suggests it was indeed possible.
Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, has stated in the past that resistance to the Nazis was “impossible” and that’s why he cooperated with the Nazi authorities when he was young. Is that true, however? Was it really not possible for people to resist the Nazi regime and thereby either deny it the support it needed or even seek to replace it? The evidence suggests it was indeed possible.
Twisted Cross: The German Christian Movement in the Third Reich
The relationship between Christianity and Nazism has long been a subject of debate. On the one hand, the principles of Christianity would seem to be opposed to Nazism and should cause Christians to fight it; on the other hand, millions of German Christians went along with Nazism and some even cooperated eagerly. What happened?
The relationship between Christianity and Nazism has long been a subject of debate. On the one hand, the principles of Christianity would seem to be opposed to Nazism and should cause Christians to fight it; on the other hand, millions of German Christians went along with Nazism and some even cooperated eagerly. What happened?
IBM and the Holocaust
The Holocaust merits special attention because of how modern science, technology, and bureaucracy were marshalled for the effort to eliminate the Jews in as efficient and complete a manner as possible. The Holocaust was coldly rational in a way that other slaughters have not been - and the Nazis benefitted from modern corporate culture in ways that others have not since.
The Holocaust merits special attention because of how modern science, technology, and bureaucracy were marshalled for the effort to eliminate the Jews in as efficient and complete a manner as possible. The Holocaust was coldly rational in a way that other slaughters have not been - and the Nazis benefitted from modern corporate culture in ways that others have not since.
Inside the Vatican of Pius XII: The Memoir of an America Diplomat
World War II was a difficult time for the Roman Catholic Church - thousands of Catholics died and thousands more participated in the killing, not to mention more than a few atrocities. Vatican power was at a low point, and in the aftermath, many questioned whether Pope Pius XII did enough to exercise moral authority to try to stop the Holocaust. What was it like, though, in the Vatican?
World War II was a difficult time for the Roman Catholic Church - thousands of Catholics died and thousands more participated in the killing, not to mention more than a few atrocities. Vatican power was at a low point, and in the aftermath, many questioned whether Pope Pius XII did enough to exercise moral authority to try to stop the Holocaust. What was it like, though, in the Vatican?
Fascism: A Very Short Introduction
Everyone has heard of fascism - it's one of the most significant political philosophies of the twentieth century. But what is fascism, exactly? Is it a reactionary program against modernity, or is it a revolutionary program against the traditional order? Actually, it is a bit of both - and that is why it has always managed to have some appeal to people on both the left and the right.
Everyone has heard of fascism - it's one of the most significant political philosophies of the twentieth century. But what is fascism, exactly? Is it a reactionary program against modernity, or is it a revolutionary program against the traditional order? Actually, it is a bit of both - and that is why it has always managed to have some appeal to people on both the left and the right.
Hitler's Vienna: A Dictator's Apprenticeship
Just how did Adolf Hitler become the Hitler of history - a rabid hater and butcher? Was there something in his family or his life which made him what he became? According to Brigitte Hamann, a key place to look is Vienna, Austria, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Just how did Adolf Hitler become the Hitler of history - a rabid hater and butcher? Was there something in his family or his life which made him what he became? According to Brigitte Hamann, a key place to look is Vienna, Austria, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Becoming Evil: How Ordinary People Commit Genocide
Humans have committed great evil against other human beings over the course of millennia, but many outstanding examples occurred during just the 20th century. Such evil is not, however, the standard means by which people relate to one another - usually people are quite a bit more civil and kind. How is it that such behaviors are left behind and truly heinous barbarism develops?
Humans have committed great evil against other human beings over the course of millennia, but many outstanding examples occurred during just the 20th century. Such evil is not, however, the standard means by which people relate to one another - usually people are quite a bit more civil and kind. How is it that such behaviors are left behind and truly heinous barbarism develops?
The Holocaust and Antisemitism: A Short History
Antisemitism has been an unfortunate and destructive aspect of Western culture for millennia. Of course, every culture has had its hatreds and despised groups, but antisemitism differs from most in the sense that it not only dehumanizes Jews, but also demonizes them. In addition to being separated from the rest of society, they are also made the worst enemies of society.
Antisemitism has been an unfortunate and destructive aspect of Western culture for millennia. Of course, every culture has had its hatreds and despised groups, but antisemitism differs from most in the sense that it not only dehumanizes Jews, but also demonizes them. In addition to being separated from the rest of society, they are also made the worst enemies of society.
Holocaust Theology: A Reader
One of the most effective arguments against the existence of God tends to be the Argument from Evil - if a loving God exists, how can so much evil also exist in the world? Perhaps the greatest evil which can be used as an example in that argument is the Holocaust, where "God's chosen people" were slaughtered by the millions.
One of the most effective arguments against the existence of God tends to be the Argument from Evil - if a loving God exists, how can so much evil also exist in the world? Perhaps the greatest evil which can be used as an example in that argument is the Holocaust, where "God's chosen people" were slaughtered by the millions.