22 Cells in Nuremberg : In the Nazi Mind

by Douglas M. Kelley, Olivier Goulon (Foreword)

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Psychology, World War II

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 22, 2026

Reviews

[Rob]

Watching the film Nuremberg (2025) made me seek this out, an important reprint. Almost 80 years later, Douglas Kelley's book provides a fascinating insight into the minds of the men who were responsible for some of the worst horrors humans have ever seen, horrors which still echo today.

This book serves as a stark warning in 2026 that rights don't just disappear overnight, they are slowly eroded in plain sight. It should be taught in history classes as a reminder not to be complacent, lest history repeat itself. And there are many seemingly ordinary men out there in positions of power who would lead the charge.

"But we must never forget that Hitler was elected by democratic methods in a democratic system, which we ourselves helped to set up. He was elected in a democratic way because of the failure of German democratic forces to prevent his election, because of the fundamental apathy and lack of interest of those forces. Such apathy and disinterest is not unknown in the United States. It has been made painfully obvious in many elections that a small minority, functioning as an active unit, can and does win elections that determine the fate of an apathetic, lethargic, nonvoting majority."

[Stephen Brannon]

An incredible book. Highly, highly recommend for every WWII history buff. Extremely engaging for anyone who is intrigued by the human mind and sociology. Kelley’s final chapter is a hair-raising harbinger.

[JaneAnn Linger Fucci]

A have to read for those aware of repeated history. I wasn’t sure what to expect but “enjoyed” this as a slower read. It definitely substantiates my current political thought. The author was dedicated to reporting this to help us help ourselves.

[Massimo Pigliucci]

This is one book that everyone ought to read, even though it had been out of print for a while before its recent re-release. If you have seen the movie "Nuremberg," starring Rami Malek and Russell Crowe, you have already met the author: US Army psychologist major Douglas Kelley (played by Malek in the film), who was in charge of the mental health of the 22 nazis on trial at Nuremberg (including Hermann Göring, very well played by Crowe). The real Kelley wrote a book in 1947 about his experiences before and during that momentous trial, presenting a detailed psychological profiles of the 22 individuals, as well as of Adolf Hitler, based on all the documentation available at the time and on the many personal conversations Kelley had had with the top nazis and with Hitler's secretaries. The result is not just a fascinating, evidence-based look at the madness that was the nazi regime, but a warning to the United States and other western countries not to be too complacent and think that "it couldn't happen here." Kelley's analysis reveals that, with one documentable exception, there was nothing psychologically pathological about any of his patients at Nuremberg, and that their profiles could easily be matched with a large number of American politicians. Not surprisingly, the American public did not want to hear the message and Douglas was vilified by interviewers. He developed a drinking problem and eventually committed suicide. Ironically, by cyanide, the same method used by Göring. You will not regret spending a few hours in the company of major Kelley.

[Sabrina]

Not five stars because it was a good read but because it was an important one. "It is up to us whether we learn from the Holocaust". It started with an elected party. A democracy. And it turned into a nightmare. It could happen again - if we let it. It's our responsibility to learn from the past and never let it happen again. Hatred and racism have no place in our society and should have no place in any government. It's up to us.

[Samuel Leclerc]

Great book. Extensive background, contextual and psychological description of each nuremberg prisoner. I did skip a a few of the last chapters as the descriptions became a bit lengthy for me. In spite of all this, the book was a very very great read the first and the last chapter are very very relevant and should be read by everyone as they speak about the simple yet important conclusion : the Nazi’s were ordinary people and not unique uncommon and bizarre specimens in their own genre. People with their personalities can be found anywhere in any society. Yet these personalities joined with low ethics, great ambition and a sense of nationalism that could justify anything benefiting Germany led them there. Racism is a tool used to gain power, control, profit and to self benefit the leaders using these simple speeches and idea and most of all race is a social construct and a myth. Great book the I do recommend at least the first and last chapters to everyone.

[Heather Linebarger]

As a psychiatric nurse who is also very interested in history this book was absolutely enamoring. I found it extremely interesting to hear how a psychiatrist viewed these Nazi personalities. Kelly's warning to the American people to prevent a repeat of civil destruction was ignored in 1947, yet it resonates even more strongly today.
"we must reform our system of education to teach students to think"
"We cannot have a mature nation of infantile citizens"
"They (Nazi's) use of racism as a method of obtaining personal power, political aggrandizement, or individual wealth. We are allowing racism to be used here (US) for those ends. I am convinced that the continued use of these myths in this country will lead us to join the Nazi criminals in the sewer of civilization."

[Hermann Bayer]

For me it was a good idea to read this book, because the author is able to paint a picture of 22 NAZI personalities that differs - substantially in some cases - from widespread and popular, but mostly incorrect, simplifications of NAZI personalities as "insane". Of course the author's psychological approach as a psychiatrist was at the mid-1940s level and would be more sophisticated today, but stroked with the broader brush of that time it still allows a hermeneutic understanding. What Kelly perhaps did not completely take into account though, was the pure Darwinist basis of the NAZI policies and race ideology. This corrupted the purity of his scientific approach and led him to use Christian moral categories. The "laws of mother nature", have no moral category. In nature the end of self-preservation and of species conservation justifies the means, demands rigorous strength, and actions to eliminate weakness become "logical" efforts. That is why those NAZI technocrats never felt really guilty, though they knew very well that they acted against humanity [the latter was seen as a violation of nature's laws; as protecting/promoting the weak and, thus, debilitating the people]. In summation, this book is a wonderful read for a history-versed audience, but I would not recommend it for a lay person just beginning to dive into the history of Europe and WWII.

[Kaila H]

I decided to read this book after watching the Movie. I’ve always enjoyed history, and the movie and this book seriously piqued my interest. It covers a very hard part of history and steps into the minds, though briefly, of the inmates of Nuremberg.

I liked this book because it covered the minds of each leading individual in the party, and it wasn’t hard to follow. I appreciate that Douglas Kelley wrote it with minimal psychological jargon. It felt like a conversation from him to me as I read it. Each chapter was like a mini history/biography, as well as a small psychoanalysis.

While this is not my typical choice for reading, I found it easy to read, and informative. It should definitely be on anyone’s TBR if they’re into WW2, or History.

[Marieke Snyman]

22 Cells in Nuremberg by Douglas M. Kelley is a fascinating look at the psychological side of the Nuremberg trials. I picked it up because I wanted to learn more about Hermann Göring after watching Nuremberg, and it certainly delivered.
What I found most compelling was Kelley's work with Göring as his psychiatrist. I was especially intrigued by the methods he used to help Göring overcome his dependence on paracodeine pills while in custody. Beyond that, the book offers a unique glimpse into the personalities and mental states of the imprisoned Nazi leaders, making it much more than a simple historical account.
If you're interested in the psychology behind history, rather than just the events themselves, this is an absorbing and worthwhile read.

[Suzanne]

22 Cells in Nuremberg offers a fascinating and unsettling look at the Nazi leadership. Douglas Kelley, the American psychiatrist assigned to evaluate the Nazi defendants, spent considerable time interviewing and observing these men, giving the book a unique firsthand perspective on their personalities, motivations, and rationalizations.

Kelley did not find these men to be uniquely insane or monstrous. Instead, many appeared surprisingly ordinary as individuals who were ambitious, self-interested, susceptible to ideology, and willing to compromise their morals when given the opportunity and power to do so. This book highlighted the concept of banality of evil and how ideology overtaking reality can lead to these atrocities.

[Daniel]

The film “Nuremberg” is what led me to read this in the first place. And to be honest, from a prose standpoint, I found this book to be a bit of a slog. But the analyses of these men are intriguing. And Kelley’s professional conclusion as a psychiatrist packs a powerful punch—we all are capable of being Hitler (and his henchmen). And from a Christian perspective, though this is far from a “Christian” book, this analysis/conclusion makes a strong case for the reality of original sin. Humanity’s biggest problem is that “ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” A problem for which there is but one solution…Jesus.

[Mallory Cislo]

Written in 1947, this book angered the American public and Dr. Kelley was shunned for daring to suggest that the Nazi leaders and members were not born with any particular insanity and that these archetypes were easy to see in government, boardrooms, and in the press of the USA. I wish every American would read at least his final few chapters. I could remove the names and post them, and most people would think it was written recently. We have been ripe for democratically-elected totalitarianism for 80+ years.

[Julie Kovac]

America beware

This is a fascinating book written over 60 years ago and foretells at the end where America is headed if we allow politicians to use race and hatred and gifts of free stuff to win elections. He believes this is why Hitler was able to take over Germany and America is susceptible to the same.

[Louise K]

Alarmingly appropriate to our current times

From a historical perspective, Douglas Kelley invites us into the minds of the twenty two Nazi war criminals on trial in Nuremberg. Even more chilling is his insight into our future democracy which currently seems to be coming to fruition.
Louise Miller

[Peter Olsen]

it could happen here

Today, in 2026, we can see the first signs of the kind of Fuerher principal that arose in Nazi Germany. We can also see the beginnings of hate and attacks on minorities and racial groups. It’s not clear that the people advancing these ideas wish now to advance to a full totalitarian state the problem is that as they exercise their power and prejudices. They’re increasing power encourage them in their prejudicial beliefs.

[Mariana Escobar]

Disappointing

I had high expectations reading this book that I would be able to gain insight into the defendants of the first Nuremberg trial, but I found the analysis rather lacking in general, simplistic, and repetitive.

[Dan Amrine]

It's powerful!

Understanding these principles are essential and the life of Kelley is a sad example of how no one wants to discuss these principles. It is hard to write about but Kelley did a good job of making his case in the last chapter.

[Linda Kressal]

Wake up AMERICA!

The descriptions of the Nazi war criminals and Hitler were enlightening but the real understanding comes in his prediction of the oath America is on and how the American people could become overcome by political radicals

[Judy Bohr]

Stop what you’re doing, and read this NOW. The nation’s survival depends on it.

[Cheryl ODonnell-Flynn]

A warning for all people living in a democracy.

[Naomi]

History can repeat itself

[Jeffrey Freeman]

Interesting book, but pretty dry. As it is mainly based on his actual notes, it's understandable.

[Churd0]

Kelley makes one of the most profound observations out of WWII about human nature, power, politics, and modernity.

That the root cause of these horrors is not neatly pinned onto the shoulders of some identifiable evil. In fact, no system is immune from degrading into atrocity.

However, this book does lack that ability to hammer home the point. As it possesses no narrative power to explain its point and instead reads like a case study.

3.5/5

-Churd

[Lara]

Not a very interesting read after reading "The Nazi and the Psychiatrist." Also, Dr. Kelley seemed very pretentious.

[Libbi C.]

The last chapter is more true than ever. Sigh.

[Sandy Patrico]

Great Read.

It's frieghtening to see so many comparisons to the Nazi movement in Trump's MAGA movement. Godo save us all America.

[Gabriel]

It´s a thrilling account of the Nuremberg criminals and a cautionary tale for USA. Prophetic.

[Michael Richter]

The individual profiles of the Nazi war criminals are too short to be anything but vignettes. Still, there are some interesting nuggets.

[Linda Schuler]

Impressive, fascinating, brilliant-- I wish I could have met and spoken with Dr. Kelley. Too bad no one understood or got their heads out of denial in 1946 and still won't do it today in 2026. Humans are quite bizarre in their inability to relate to, admit to, and embrace truths and realities. History repeats itself nonstop throughout time because humans never actually evolve beyond superficialities. And here in 2026, we continue the idiocy... we began this way as a species and we will continue this way.