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Brief History of the Third Reich, A
Beginning in the broken aftermath of the First World War and the Treaty of Versailles, which made German recovery almost impossible, Whittock tells not just the account of the men who rose to the fore in the dangerous days of the Weimar republic, circling around the cult of personality generated by Adolf Hitler, but also a convincing and personality-driven overview of how ordinary Germans became seduced by the dreams of a new world order, the Third Reich. The book also gives a fascinating insight into the everyday life in Germany during the Second World War and explores key questions such as how much did the Germans know about the Holocaust and why did the regime eventually fail so disastrously?
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First published January 1, 2011
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About the author
Martyn Whittock
89 books28 followersI graduated in Politics from Bristol University in 1980, where my degree special studies were in radical Christian politics and theology of the seventeenth century & also the development of the Soviet State.
I taught history for thirty-five years (as Head of History & Director of Humanities Faculty at a number of secondary schools in the UK). Latterly I was curriculum leader for Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education at a secondary comprehensive school in the UK. During this time I developed an interest in early medieval history (especially Anglo-Saxons and Vikings), as well as continuing my interests in radical Christian millenarianism and also Soviet history.
I have acted as an historical consultant to the National Trust, the BBC and English Heritage. I am a Licensed Lay Minister, in the Church of England, with an active interest in theology.
I retired from teaching in 2016 to devote more time to writing, historical & political commenting & guest blogging.
I am the author or co-author of fifty-three books. These include school history textbooks and adult history books. The latter are written with the aim of making historical themes both engaging and accessible to adult readers.
I taught history for thirty-five years (as Head of History & Director of Humanities Faculty at a number of secondary schools in the UK). Latterly I was curriculum leader for Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education at a secondary comprehensive school in the UK. During this time I developed an interest in early medieval history (especially Anglo-Saxons and Vikings), as well as continuing my interests in radical Christian millenarianism and also Soviet history.
I have acted as an historical consultant to the National Trust, the BBC and English Heritage. I am a Licensed Lay Minister, in the Church of England, with an active interest in theology.
I retired from teaching in 2016 to devote more time to writing, historical & political commenting & guest blogging.
I am the author or co-author of fifty-three books. These include school history textbooks and adult history books. The latter are written with the aim of making historical themes both engaging and accessible to adult readers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
February 8, 2017
I have always wondered how do radicals convince the unsuspecting of their own agenda. Are people really that gullible or there is a trick? Do rational thinking and sanity die in such situations or just suppressed? I can imagine someone convincing one or two or may be few more in committing an heinous crime, but how can that fringe become mass?
Two things answer me -
This book and My facebook timeline.
This book tells me how Hitler could convince millions of Germans, who I consider intellectually highly evolved, into his propaganda of hate and delusion. ( I would treat this book as introductory read before William Shirer's The Rise and Fall of The Third Reich)
My facebook timeline screams cantankerously the reasons of the right wing ideology suddenly rising throughout the world, be it in India, the US, the Europe, the middle east.
And the weapons have been always same - Nationalism, Convictions of religious and racial superiority and victimhood, Systematic propaganda, Catch-them-young strategy, Unverifiable lies, Hatred for liberal intellectualism, Violence , etc etc.
The lunatics are coming. The lunatics are coming.
Or they have been always there?
Two things answer me -
This book and My facebook timeline.
This book tells me how Hitler could convince millions of Germans, who I consider intellectually highly evolved, into his propaganda of hate and delusion. ( I would treat this book as introductory read before William Shirer's The Rise and Fall of The Third Reich)
My facebook timeline screams cantankerously the reasons of the right wing ideology suddenly rising throughout the world, be it in India, the US, the Europe, the middle east.
And the weapons have been always same - Nationalism, Convictions of religious and racial superiority and victimhood, Systematic propaganda, Catch-them-young strategy, Unverifiable lies, Hatred for liberal intellectualism, Violence , etc etc.
The lunatics are coming. The lunatics are coming.
Or they have been always there?
October 1, 2019
Combining both historical detail and an interesting narrative, this is a solid intro to Nazi Germany. I'm so glad the chapters and subheadings are straightforward, clear, and cover so much ground in the inner workings of the Nazi state, from economic to social life. Whittock has a frank, succinct and, at times, sensitive tone which is so important, as the book deals with tragedy and suffering on a global scale, political repression, and systematic brutality stemming from unchecked racial intolerance.
I love how it's readable and full of terminology as it avoids the obscure words, complicated sentences and random tangents, that may put off a casual reader. For a 300 page book, it's packed with content. The inclusion of smaller historical events and figures along with relevant extracts (the jokes are noteworthy in this one) is quite entertaining and insightful.
I don't have criticism for the book because for a 'brief history' it's gone well over what I had expected.
I love how it's readable and full of terminology as it avoids the obscure words, complicated sentences and random tangents, that may put off a casual reader. For a 300 page book, it's packed with content. The inclusion of smaller historical events and figures along with relevant extracts (the jokes are noteworthy in this one) is quite entertaining and insightful.
I don't have criticism for the book because for a 'brief history' it's gone well over what I had expected.
July 19, 2021
THE GENESIS OF A NAZI GERMANY
The German population saw the Treaty of Versailles as symbolic of defeat. They saw this global democracy as displaying the problems with not allowing countries like Austria and Poland to be united with their homeland. They felt betrayed or underhandedly mishandled by their communist and socialist leaders. It was this that they used as ammunition by those members of the NSDAP. In 1921 Hitler became Fuhrer of the NSDAP.
Germany printed money in 1923 post WW1 to pay reparations. At this point, 200 billion marks was worth $1. Populist NSDAP took advantage of terrible financial climate. 1924 USA leant Germany 800000000 marks. This helped economic security and stability. 1925 Germany joined League of Nations. 1929 reparations restructured with USA. 1924-1929 were the Golden years of the Weimar Republic. All societal political metrics were growing/falling.
1929 Wall Street crash. 1/3 Germans unemployed by 1932. 12-107 Nazi seats in Reichstag. German parliament had ceased to sit when Nazis came to power in 1933. Brunning resigned in 1932. 37% Hitler, Hindenburg 53% of the vote in 1932 election. Communists put vote of no confidence in Von Pappen who tried to make chancellor a dictator role. Nazis lost 2 million votes in this election and communists gained voters.
Nazis had greater success with protestant voters than Catholic ones. Hitler youth and the banning of other youth groups helped the Nazis secure young voters. Nazis won rural voters by promising farmers they'd ban foreign food imports. They promised to stop Jews buying land to sell on in rural areas.
Hitler wanted to take 800000 women out of work within 4 years. Promoted the idea of traditional female roles and the desired increase in the German birth rate.
Middle class Germans bitter at losing their savings in the hyperinflation of the 1920s. They were scared of falling into the lower working class and so voted Nazi. They feared falling into the working class. Early membership dominated by skilled workers and lower middle classmen. Middle class were eventually bettayed. The promise of of job security and the dissolution of job threatening enterprises like department stores was gone back on. Union groups set up by the Nazis to protect middle class interests were dissolved and replaced by groups more closely controlled by the State. The Nazi party decided the direction of the middle class, not grass roots enterprise/union groups. Highly successful at forging links across class boundaries. Hitler spoke a common language that transitioned well across different voter profiles. Women, unemployed, working class, middle class. A German party for all Germans. The Nazis were the first real protest party.
Reichstag building burned down in 1933. Communist party blamed. Nazi setup? After this, mass and deep decrees giving the central government the power to dictate over the population were passed. They claimed mass power was required to prevent a communist uprising. Freedom of speech, expression, information and communication were limited and suppressed. The SA and SS enforced these decrees. First group to be attacked were the communist party. 1/3 German electorate still prepared to vote anti-Nazi. Only won 44% election. 100000 arrested, 600 killed in 1933. Trade unions attacked and suppressed or incorporated into Nazi party. Steel Helmets WW1 veterans group absorbed into the SA and dissolved in 1935. It had 500000 members. Germany transformed in 6 months.
War economy/capitalist appeasement/nationalistic financial plan. Nazis employed people to public sector to do jobs regardless of whether or not they needed doing like building autobahns when they had few cars. This brought down unemployment. They bought goods from the Balkans using marks only. "The Four Year Plan". Idea was to get Germany ready for war before 1940. 1936. Autarchy plan failed. Still importing 33% goods by 1940. IG Fahben donated 9000000 marks to Nazi party in 1939. Big business was swallowed under forced compliance by the Nazi machine and benefited in part. Small business was betrayed. War was inevitable because of the economic setup. They couldn't export or import because of the autocratic economic drive and so had to steal and plunder to maintain and justify domestic armament geared spending. Large numbers were willing to accept the Nazi regime because of low unemployment.
Workers bought into car ownership scheme to up vehicles on the new autobahns. 1.1m marks raised, no cars were received. Working class as high as 52% in 1932 despite lower middle class origins of Nazi votership.
Most of those who benefitted from the Nazis found they lost out once rearmament got going in 1936. 10000 Jewish workshops shut down by 1938, only 3% were taken over by Aryan owners.
RACISM
In 1880s most antisemitism occurred in Russia and Romania. Large amounts of early German antisemitism was financial, as Jewish banks lent money at interest. Hitler held conflicting beliefs that the Russian Bolsheviks and German capitalists were both Jewish led. Nazis didn't have plan for eradication of Jews when they first took power, despite their antisemitism and hatred. First deportations to death camps came in 1941. There was a healthcare drive tinged by eugenics before WW1. These views were widespread throughout Europe before the Nazis came to power. Nazis called these people "useless mouths". Compulsory sterilisations for those with hereditary disorders. Elastic boundaries for this list of diseases and disabilities. The USA were doing this to prison and psychiatric hospital inmates at the time. T4 program killed 70k between 39-41 in six locations. After 1935 Germans were banned from marrying non ethnic Germans. Gypsy ethnics were directly targeted alongside Jews post 1935.
HOMOSEXUALS AND THE NAZI PARTY
Gay people couldn't seek reparations against the Nazi Party for persecution because being gay was illegal before the Nazi's came to power. Hitler knew and tolerated the widespread homosexuality in the SA. There was systematic widespread forced castration of homosexuals under the T4 program.
YOUNG PEOPLE
Hitler Youth membership eventually become compulsory and you could be fined for not registering your children. Idea was to create a personal devotion to Hitler and the Nazi Party. Children spoke of "heroes and heroism" and the ancient idea of Germanic struggle throughout history. Many children resented the hiking and the indoctrination involved in the Hitler Youth summer camps. Non-Nazi parents described how their children resembled political spies in their homes.
EDUCATION AND LEARNING INSTITUTIONS
History textbooks in schools were changed. They celebrated the idea of Germanic struggle since the Stone Age and stressed the defining heroism of the Germanic peoples. Jews were depicted as being cunning, sly and out to manipulate Germanic peoples. Teachers who opposed the Nazi Party were labelled "unreliable" teachers. 16% of head teachers were removed. 2.5% of teachers were removed. 60% of lecturers in colleges and universities were removed. Most teachers went along with the new Nazi Germany and put up little resistance. Hitler’s portrait in classrooms, lessons on Hitler and loyalty to the party. Einstein renounced his German citizenship in 1933 after having his apartment raided continually. Women in higher education fell from 16% to 11%. Nazi's demanded by law that students must assist with agricultural workforce tasks. The Gestapo was drafted in to deal with these protests.
WOMEN IN THE THIRD REICH
Modest and selfless depiction of womanhood who wore modest dress and weren't overtly feminine. Despite this, many high ranking SS/SA/Nazi officials were not consistent as they were having affairs. The Nazis awarded mothers having huge Aryan families with Gold crosses. "The goal is not children at any cost. The goal is racially pure children". Family policy became increasingly more radical. From 1943 abortion was a capital crime in Germany.
CHRISTIANITY AND THE NAZIS
Inherently flawed due to Christians worshiping a Jewish deity. The Nazis rewrote the history of Jesus, claiming him to be a champion of Aryan origins. The Catholic Church was shut down in Germany and any promises made to the organization regarding autonomy and safety was gone back on. 1/3 Catholic priests faced some sort of persecution or State harassment during the war. Jehovah’s Witnesses faced a level of persecution drastically out of proportion to their size. They refused loyalty to the State and to serve in the armed forces or salute Hitler. By 1945 1/3 were in prison (10000/30000) with nearly 1000 dead in concentration camps.
PROPAGANDA
Mickey Mouse declared an enemy of the State in 1936. Nazi’s tried to ban jazz and the saxophone because it was associated with black musicians. By 1939 Germans could only watch films made in Germany. In 1933 infamous book burnings happened at universities throughout Germany. The retraction and revision of the Treaty of Versailles wasn’t necessarily against the trajectory of the Germany aims before they came to power. This doesn’t mean to say that the outcome of the Nazi geographical aims could have been forecast, however.
HOW POPULAR WERE THE NAZIS?
Between 1934 and 1936 internal monthly reports were taken on public opinion. They were ceased because of negative information regarding how the public viewed the Nazis. There was one detective per 1800 inhabitants in Berlin. Dissent and grumbling rarely manifested as active resistance.
The “people’s court” dealt with dissenters. Only plot to kill Hitler that came close was in 1939. Hitler cut short his speech and left 13 minutes before the bomb exploded. Had Hitler died, he would have been killed as one of the most popular leaders in history.
NAZI AGGRESSION AND WORLD WAR 2
On the 7th March 1936 Hitler moved troops into the Rhineland which was forbidden under the Treaty of Versailles. He moved a small amount of troops out of fear that the French and British governments would prohibit this. They did not. By 1939 Germany were spending 33% of its GDP on armament, compared to the 3% NATO recommended. Blitzkrieg warfare and the use of tanks revolutionized aggressive onslaughts.
Hitler invading Poland was not received well by Goebbels and Von Rippentrop.
Two things make Nazi war crimes stand out: SCALE and how interwoven with the political and governmental ideology they were. The Boer War was the standoff with the Western European forces after Germany invaded Poland. Hitler removed the armistice carriage from Paris to have it destroyed by the SS. Hungary Romania Slovakia Bulgaria and Yugoslavia joined the tripartheid pact with the three axis powers. Swiss national Bank bought gold from the Reich bank. Helsinki, London and Moscow were only European capitals not occupied by enemies during WW2. In 1941, Operation Barbarossa was the codename for the invasion of the USSR. It was the largest military operation in human history. It was described as being "a war of extermination" due to the genocidal view Hitler had of Jews, communists and Bolsheviks. "Commissar Order" outlined the conduct for the German armed forces in the USSR. Hitler blamed the capitalist FDR and communist Stalin for the worldwide Jewish conspiracy he believed in.
Late 1941 was when the Nazis started deporting and systematically exterminating Jewish populations. 11 December 1941 Hitler declared war on the USA. Hitler wrote that if the Jews brought forth another world war, they would have to be completely exterminated. The Final Solution genocide began because Hitler saw the Jewish conspiracy, not himself and the geographical aggression of his party, responsible for WW2. Hitler was unequivocally responsible for the onset of the genocide others carried out. The war in Europe and this genocide then became inevitably intertwined and linked with one another.
Ghettos holding Jews across Europe were emptied as Jews were transferred to labour camps for extermination. Women and children were exterminated soon after, whereas men worked until death or failure. Hungary refused deportation of its Jewish population and negotiated a pact with the allies. Hitler refused and 800000 Hungarian Jews were murdered. Less than 500 men shot 38000 Jews at Treblinka in 16 months. Passive complicity by general population? What were the social, educational, financial and cultural circumstances that turned these men into genocidal mass murderers?
As the war went on, German women on the home front became more and more involved in defensive armed forces roles. German women having sexual relations with men in POW camps was common. This was punishable by one year in a concentration camp.
British and American bombing of German cities failed to break domestic morale. Only 10% cited food shortages as the worst hardship they suffered during the war. 90% cited bombing raids. SD reports found that Hitler salutes were rare in cities being bombed out. Pope Ratzinger was conscripted into the air force at age 17. 1944 failed assassination of Hitler. Members of the youth White Rose resistance movement were uncovered and executed. "We will not be silent". Lots of other youth rebellion groups/gangs weren't necessarily rebelling solely against Nazi social constraints. They continued to act in similar fashion after the war was over and their conduct and actions appear to paint them as liberally individualistic and less politically active than was assumed at the time. Most lacked a clear and organised focus and ideology. Until 1943/1944 the Nazi control of media and food supplies made it almost impossible to rebel against the government. USSR population was 180m. Germany was 80m. USSR lost 800k men at battle for Moscow. Hitler blamed the advent of war on anyone but himself. German's shot more deserters per day than the British shot in the entire first world war.
The German population saw the Treaty of Versailles as symbolic of defeat. They saw this global democracy as displaying the problems with not allowing countries like Austria and Poland to be united with their homeland. They felt betrayed or underhandedly mishandled by their communist and socialist leaders. It was this that they used as ammunition by those members of the NSDAP. In 1921 Hitler became Fuhrer of the NSDAP.
Germany printed money in 1923 post WW1 to pay reparations. At this point, 200 billion marks was worth $1. Populist NSDAP took advantage of terrible financial climate. 1924 USA leant Germany 800000000 marks. This helped economic security and stability. 1925 Germany joined League of Nations. 1929 reparations restructured with USA. 1924-1929 were the Golden years of the Weimar Republic. All societal political metrics were growing/falling.
1929 Wall Street crash. 1/3 Germans unemployed by 1932. 12-107 Nazi seats in Reichstag. German parliament had ceased to sit when Nazis came to power in 1933. Brunning resigned in 1932. 37% Hitler, Hindenburg 53% of the vote in 1932 election. Communists put vote of no confidence in Von Pappen who tried to make chancellor a dictator role. Nazis lost 2 million votes in this election and communists gained voters.
Nazis had greater success with protestant voters than Catholic ones. Hitler youth and the banning of other youth groups helped the Nazis secure young voters. Nazis won rural voters by promising farmers they'd ban foreign food imports. They promised to stop Jews buying land to sell on in rural areas.
Hitler wanted to take 800000 women out of work within 4 years. Promoted the idea of traditional female roles and the desired increase in the German birth rate.
Middle class Germans bitter at losing their savings in the hyperinflation of the 1920s. They were scared of falling into the lower working class and so voted Nazi. They feared falling into the working class. Early membership dominated by skilled workers and lower middle classmen. Middle class were eventually bettayed. The promise of of job security and the dissolution of job threatening enterprises like department stores was gone back on. Union groups set up by the Nazis to protect middle class interests were dissolved and replaced by groups more closely controlled by the State. The Nazi party decided the direction of the middle class, not grass roots enterprise/union groups. Highly successful at forging links across class boundaries. Hitler spoke a common language that transitioned well across different voter profiles. Women, unemployed, working class, middle class. A German party for all Germans. The Nazis were the first real protest party.
Reichstag building burned down in 1933. Communist party blamed. Nazi setup? After this, mass and deep decrees giving the central government the power to dictate over the population were passed. They claimed mass power was required to prevent a communist uprising. Freedom of speech, expression, information and communication were limited and suppressed. The SA and SS enforced these decrees. First group to be attacked were the communist party. 1/3 German electorate still prepared to vote anti-Nazi. Only won 44% election. 100000 arrested, 600 killed in 1933. Trade unions attacked and suppressed or incorporated into Nazi party. Steel Helmets WW1 veterans group absorbed into the SA and dissolved in 1935. It had 500000 members. Germany transformed in 6 months.
War economy/capitalist appeasement/nationalistic financial plan. Nazis employed people to public sector to do jobs regardless of whether or not they needed doing like building autobahns when they had few cars. This brought down unemployment. They bought goods from the Balkans using marks only. "The Four Year Plan". Idea was to get Germany ready for war before 1940. 1936. Autarchy plan failed. Still importing 33% goods by 1940. IG Fahben donated 9000000 marks to Nazi party in 1939. Big business was swallowed under forced compliance by the Nazi machine and benefited in part. Small business was betrayed. War was inevitable because of the economic setup. They couldn't export or import because of the autocratic economic drive and so had to steal and plunder to maintain and justify domestic armament geared spending. Large numbers were willing to accept the Nazi regime because of low unemployment.
Workers bought into car ownership scheme to up vehicles on the new autobahns. 1.1m marks raised, no cars were received. Working class as high as 52% in 1932 despite lower middle class origins of Nazi votership.
Most of those who benefitted from the Nazis found they lost out once rearmament got going in 1936. 10000 Jewish workshops shut down by 1938, only 3% were taken over by Aryan owners.
RACISM
In 1880s most antisemitism occurred in Russia and Romania. Large amounts of early German antisemitism was financial, as Jewish banks lent money at interest. Hitler held conflicting beliefs that the Russian Bolsheviks and German capitalists were both Jewish led. Nazis didn't have plan for eradication of Jews when they first took power, despite their antisemitism and hatred. First deportations to death camps came in 1941. There was a healthcare drive tinged by eugenics before WW1. These views were widespread throughout Europe before the Nazis came to power. Nazis called these people "useless mouths". Compulsory sterilisations for those with hereditary disorders. Elastic boundaries for this list of diseases and disabilities. The USA were doing this to prison and psychiatric hospital inmates at the time. T4 program killed 70k between 39-41 in six locations. After 1935 Germans were banned from marrying non ethnic Germans. Gypsy ethnics were directly targeted alongside Jews post 1935.
HOMOSEXUALS AND THE NAZI PARTY
Gay people couldn't seek reparations against the Nazi Party for persecution because being gay was illegal before the Nazi's came to power. Hitler knew and tolerated the widespread homosexuality in the SA. There was systematic widespread forced castration of homosexuals under the T4 program.
YOUNG PEOPLE
Hitler Youth membership eventually become compulsory and you could be fined for not registering your children. Idea was to create a personal devotion to Hitler and the Nazi Party. Children spoke of "heroes and heroism" and the ancient idea of Germanic struggle throughout history. Many children resented the hiking and the indoctrination involved in the Hitler Youth summer camps. Non-Nazi parents described how their children resembled political spies in their homes.
EDUCATION AND LEARNING INSTITUTIONS
History textbooks in schools were changed. They celebrated the idea of Germanic struggle since the Stone Age and stressed the defining heroism of the Germanic peoples. Jews were depicted as being cunning, sly and out to manipulate Germanic peoples. Teachers who opposed the Nazi Party were labelled "unreliable" teachers. 16% of head teachers were removed. 2.5% of teachers were removed. 60% of lecturers in colleges and universities were removed. Most teachers went along with the new Nazi Germany and put up little resistance. Hitler’s portrait in classrooms, lessons on Hitler and loyalty to the party. Einstein renounced his German citizenship in 1933 after having his apartment raided continually. Women in higher education fell from 16% to 11%. Nazi's demanded by law that students must assist with agricultural workforce tasks. The Gestapo was drafted in to deal with these protests.
WOMEN IN THE THIRD REICH
Modest and selfless depiction of womanhood who wore modest dress and weren't overtly feminine. Despite this, many high ranking SS/SA/Nazi officials were not consistent as they were having affairs. The Nazis awarded mothers having huge Aryan families with Gold crosses. "The goal is not children at any cost. The goal is racially pure children". Family policy became increasingly more radical. From 1943 abortion was a capital crime in Germany.
CHRISTIANITY AND THE NAZIS
Inherently flawed due to Christians worshiping a Jewish deity. The Nazis rewrote the history of Jesus, claiming him to be a champion of Aryan origins. The Catholic Church was shut down in Germany and any promises made to the organization regarding autonomy and safety was gone back on. 1/3 Catholic priests faced some sort of persecution or State harassment during the war. Jehovah’s Witnesses faced a level of persecution drastically out of proportion to their size. They refused loyalty to the State and to serve in the armed forces or salute Hitler. By 1945 1/3 were in prison (10000/30000) with nearly 1000 dead in concentration camps.
PROPAGANDA
Mickey Mouse declared an enemy of the State in 1936. Nazi’s tried to ban jazz and the saxophone because it was associated with black musicians. By 1939 Germans could only watch films made in Germany. In 1933 infamous book burnings happened at universities throughout Germany. The retraction and revision of the Treaty of Versailles wasn’t necessarily against the trajectory of the Germany aims before they came to power. This doesn’t mean to say that the outcome of the Nazi geographical aims could have been forecast, however.
HOW POPULAR WERE THE NAZIS?
Between 1934 and 1936 internal monthly reports were taken on public opinion. They were ceased because of negative information regarding how the public viewed the Nazis. There was one detective per 1800 inhabitants in Berlin. Dissent and grumbling rarely manifested as active resistance.
The “people’s court” dealt with dissenters. Only plot to kill Hitler that came close was in 1939. Hitler cut short his speech and left 13 minutes before the bomb exploded. Had Hitler died, he would have been killed as one of the most popular leaders in history.
NAZI AGGRESSION AND WORLD WAR 2
On the 7th March 1936 Hitler moved troops into the Rhineland which was forbidden under the Treaty of Versailles. He moved a small amount of troops out of fear that the French and British governments would prohibit this. They did not. By 1939 Germany were spending 33% of its GDP on armament, compared to the 3% NATO recommended. Blitzkrieg warfare and the use of tanks revolutionized aggressive onslaughts.
Hitler invading Poland was not received well by Goebbels and Von Rippentrop.
Two things make Nazi war crimes stand out: SCALE and how interwoven with the political and governmental ideology they were. The Boer War was the standoff with the Western European forces after Germany invaded Poland. Hitler removed the armistice carriage from Paris to have it destroyed by the SS. Hungary Romania Slovakia Bulgaria and Yugoslavia joined the tripartheid pact with the three axis powers. Swiss national Bank bought gold from the Reich bank. Helsinki, London and Moscow were only European capitals not occupied by enemies during WW2. In 1941, Operation Barbarossa was the codename for the invasion of the USSR. It was the largest military operation in human history. It was described as being "a war of extermination" due to the genocidal view Hitler had of Jews, communists and Bolsheviks. "Commissar Order" outlined the conduct for the German armed forces in the USSR. Hitler blamed the capitalist FDR and communist Stalin for the worldwide Jewish conspiracy he believed in.
Late 1941 was when the Nazis started deporting and systematically exterminating Jewish populations. 11 December 1941 Hitler declared war on the USA. Hitler wrote that if the Jews brought forth another world war, they would have to be completely exterminated. The Final Solution genocide began because Hitler saw the Jewish conspiracy, not himself and the geographical aggression of his party, responsible for WW2. Hitler was unequivocally responsible for the onset of the genocide others carried out. The war in Europe and this genocide then became inevitably intertwined and linked with one another.
Ghettos holding Jews across Europe were emptied as Jews were transferred to labour camps for extermination. Women and children were exterminated soon after, whereas men worked until death or failure. Hungary refused deportation of its Jewish population and negotiated a pact with the allies. Hitler refused and 800000 Hungarian Jews were murdered. Less than 500 men shot 38000 Jews at Treblinka in 16 months. Passive complicity by general population? What were the social, educational, financial and cultural circumstances that turned these men into genocidal mass murderers?
As the war went on, German women on the home front became more and more involved in defensive armed forces roles. German women having sexual relations with men in POW camps was common. This was punishable by one year in a concentration camp.
British and American bombing of German cities failed to break domestic morale. Only 10% cited food shortages as the worst hardship they suffered during the war. 90% cited bombing raids. SD reports found that Hitler salutes were rare in cities being bombed out. Pope Ratzinger was conscripted into the air force at age 17. 1944 failed assassination of Hitler. Members of the youth White Rose resistance movement were uncovered and executed. "We will not be silent". Lots of other youth rebellion groups/gangs weren't necessarily rebelling solely against Nazi social constraints. They continued to act in similar fashion after the war was over and their conduct and actions appear to paint them as liberally individualistic and less politically active than was assumed at the time. Most lacked a clear and organised focus and ideology. Until 1943/1944 the Nazi control of media and food supplies made it almost impossible to rebel against the government. USSR population was 180m. Germany was 80m. USSR lost 800k men at battle for Moscow. Hitler blamed the advent of war on anyone but himself. German's shot more deserters per day than the British shot in the entire first world war.
March 6, 2016
A simple and concise history of Nazi Germany; a brief Nazi Germany reference book. Reveals,
1. How Nazi rose to power.
2. How majority of German people confided in Nazi ideologies.
3. How youth was inducted in Nazification program.
4. How Hitler influenced the complete Europe.
5. How miscalculative Hitler was, for confronting Britain.
6. How industrial production was revived by Nazis.
7. How jobs are created by Nazi policies.
8. How basic and higher education was nazified.
9. How non nazi labor unions were neutralized.
10. How anti Nazi urban gangs nourished in war time Germany.
11. How radical Nazi groups operated their ethnic cleansing program.
12. How control of thoughts in society was applied by Nazis.
13. How asocial breed was recognized by Nazis.
14. How Jews, gypsy, gays were recognized as 'Asocial' by Nazis.
15. Why people like Albert Speer, were not interested in radical policies of Nazis.
16. How July 20 conspiracy was failed; how conspirators were mercilessly executed.
17. How war time Germany united against Allies.
18. How 'Over Stretch' became a bottleneck for Hitler.
19. How more concentration at Italy in 1943/1944, became a reason for disaster at eastern front.
20. How Ardennes offensive was considered as a last big effort by Hitler. The last Bulge in fact.
21. How Hitlers over involvement in military decisions created a disaster at Normandy, during initial hours of D day.
22. How Hitlers egomaniac decisions affected the morale of armed forces.
23. How world's 90% oil ownership by Allies, created problems for Hitler.
24. How advanced Hitlers war machinery was.
25. How Hitlers inability to upgrade the existing war machinery/gadgets created problems in war effort.
1. How Nazi rose to power.
2. How majority of German people confided in Nazi ideologies.
3. How youth was inducted in Nazification program.
4. How Hitler influenced the complete Europe.
5. How miscalculative Hitler was, for confronting Britain.
6. How industrial production was revived by Nazis.
7. How jobs are created by Nazi policies.
8. How basic and higher education was nazified.
9. How non nazi labor unions were neutralized.
10. How anti Nazi urban gangs nourished in war time Germany.
11. How radical Nazi groups operated their ethnic cleansing program.
12. How control of thoughts in society was applied by Nazis.
13. How asocial breed was recognized by Nazis.
14. How Jews, gypsy, gays were recognized as 'Asocial' by Nazis.
15. Why people like Albert Speer, were not interested in radical policies of Nazis.
16. How July 20 conspiracy was failed; how conspirators were mercilessly executed.
17. How war time Germany united against Allies.
18. How 'Over Stretch' became a bottleneck for Hitler.
19. How more concentration at Italy in 1943/1944, became a reason for disaster at eastern front.
20. How Ardennes offensive was considered as a last big effort by Hitler. The last Bulge in fact.
21. How Hitlers over involvement in military decisions created a disaster at Normandy, during initial hours of D day.
22. How Hitlers egomaniac decisions affected the morale of armed forces.
23. How world's 90% oil ownership by Allies, created problems for Hitler.
24. How advanced Hitlers war machinery was.
25. How Hitlers inability to upgrade the existing war machinery/gadgets created problems in war effort.
October 5, 2022
Insightful and informative look into the Third Reich, Germany under Hitler and his policy, as well as its implications on minorities and the rest of the world.
August 20, 2025
A government that came to power through election but soon dismantled democracy. A state which persecuted its own citizens, old bureaucrats, meritorious army men belonging to the minority religion. An institution that didn’t allow dissent of any type and got humor banned. A country which made propaganda so viral that kids started turning against their parents, war felt like a necessity and obedience was treated like a virtue. A nation that snatched the freedom of women and made them second-class citizens once again. Women were not only denied jobs but were also pushed to become “ideal mothers” instead of anything else. A regime which started using bureaucracy as its personal tool to get away with all kinds of evil.
February 4, 2023
Whilst the book is informative enough overall, it appears to contain some inaccuracies. For instance, chapter 9 claims that in 1933, there were 'about 500,000 Jews in Germany, or 0.55 per cent of the total population'. This would put the population of the country at slightly above 90 million people; yet multiple sources insist it was well under 70 million at that point, and even in 1939, after all the annexations, it is said to have still been below 80 million. Clearly, then, either the number of Jews quoted or their presumed share of the population is wrong.
Another statement that immediately struck me as exaggerated was the claim that there were 'multiple watches visible on the wrist of one of the soldiers' in the famous photograph of Red Army soldiers raising a flag over the Reichstag. In reality, the original image shows just two watches, not multiple, one for each wrist. Moreover, there is a theory that the second one may have been an Adrianov compass, though there is no proof either way. However, the complete omission of this in the book suggests that the narrative is not entirely fact-driven; the author was clearly willing to embellish certain descriptions of events for additional drama. Not good in a supposedly historical book.
I obviously haven't fact-checked every figure or fact mentioned in the book, but readers should keep in mind that there may be other inexactitudes and embroideries, too.
Otherwise, I would argue it is worth one's time, particularly because of the focus on telling the story through the individual, which makes for an original bottom-to-top approach and provides the reader with a good idea of what life in the Third Reich might have felt like, as opposed to the more prevalent treating of the millions of people living under the regime as a matter of little more than statistics.
Another statement that immediately struck me as exaggerated was the claim that there were 'multiple watches visible on the wrist of one of the soldiers' in the famous photograph of Red Army soldiers raising a flag over the Reichstag. In reality, the original image shows just two watches, not multiple, one for each wrist. Moreover, there is a theory that the second one may have been an Adrianov compass, though there is no proof either way. However, the complete omission of this in the book suggests that the narrative is not entirely fact-driven; the author was clearly willing to embellish certain descriptions of events for additional drama. Not good in a supposedly historical book.
I obviously haven't fact-checked every figure or fact mentioned in the book, but readers should keep in mind that there may be other inexactitudes and embroideries, too.
Otherwise, I would argue it is worth one's time, particularly because of the focus on telling the story through the individual, which makes for an original bottom-to-top approach and provides the reader with a good idea of what life in the Third Reich might have felt like, as opposed to the more prevalent treating of the millions of people living under the regime as a matter of little more than statistics.
October 7, 2019
It was a nice book. Precise and hard-hitting. Perfect for anyone who wants to get initiated into the history of Nazism. There are obviously more detailed versions available but this one is a great starter.
July 23, 2020
‘The abuse of power, genocide, the destruction of total war, unimaginable cruelty and the suffering of millions were all central features of Hitler’s Nazi regime. Yet the Nazis were also highly successful in manipulating images and information: they mobilized and engaged vast numbers of people, caught the imagination of the young and appeared remarkably modern to many contemporary observers.
Was the Third Reich a throwback to a mythical past or a brutally modern and technologically advanced state? Was Hitler a strong dictator who achieved his clear goals, or was his chaotic style of government symptomatic of a weak dictator, unable to control the complex and contradictory forces that he had unleashed? Was the Third Reich ruled by terror, or largely supported by a compliant German population? Was the genocide against the Jews a peculiarly German phenomenon, or a uniquely German expression of a terrible wider trend?’
I really enjoyed this book.
I had high expectations for this book and it not only lived up to them, it surpassed them. I was already familar with The Third Reich before going into this book and that made it easier for me when it came to some of the names and places.
While this book is only a brief history, it is full of information. I was surprised by the amount of information in this book and by the fact that a lot of it was new to me.
Martyn Whittock has done a fantastic job with this book. It was easy to read, well written and even though it was factual it had a real human and emotional feel to it that I wasn’t expecting.
This book would be perfect for YA readers who are interested in learning about The Third Reich. There is definitely something for everyone in this book regardless of your knowledge of this point in history.
A Brief History of The Third Reich by Martyn Whittock is well worth the read.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
Was the Third Reich a throwback to a mythical past or a brutally modern and technologically advanced state? Was Hitler a strong dictator who achieved his clear goals, or was his chaotic style of government symptomatic of a weak dictator, unable to control the complex and contradictory forces that he had unleashed? Was the Third Reich ruled by terror, or largely supported by a compliant German population? Was the genocide against the Jews a peculiarly German phenomenon, or a uniquely German expression of a terrible wider trend?’
I really enjoyed this book.
I had high expectations for this book and it not only lived up to them, it surpassed them. I was already familar with The Third Reich before going into this book and that made it easier for me when it came to some of the names and places.
While this book is only a brief history, it is full of information. I was surprised by the amount of information in this book and by the fact that a lot of it was new to me.
Martyn Whittock has done a fantastic job with this book. It was easy to read, well written and even though it was factual it had a real human and emotional feel to it that I wasn’t expecting.
This book would be perfect for YA readers who are interested in learning about The Third Reich. There is definitely something for everyone in this book regardless of your knowledge of this point in history.
A Brief History of The Third Reich by Martyn Whittock is well worth the read.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
February 25, 2017
It is just a coincidence that I started this book while finishing The Book Thief, a novel whose story line is set against the backdrop of Nazi Germany (Highly recommended).
The shocking extent of evilness that defines Nazism is an ugly legacy for the whole world to see. Yet, what intrigues me lies in the preceding events, the combination of numerous factors that resulted in the ascendancy of Hitler and National Socialism. The Nazi leadership was masterful in the politics of conspiracy and underhand tactics, but most importantly, they knew how to manipulate the public mood and exploit the situation to their advantage: A time when the Weimar Republic, born from the much-resented Treaty of Versailles, was wobbling in the face of economic depression and social unrest. People unwittingly voted for a future dictatorship that would commit heinous crimes against humanity and ultimately bring about the wrath of defeat and destruction on Germany itself.
As a final note, the book leaves a lingering question in the mind of readers: What lessons can we derive from such disaster to make sure history will never repeat itself again?
The shocking extent of evilness that defines Nazism is an ugly legacy for the whole world to see. Yet, what intrigues me lies in the preceding events, the combination of numerous factors that resulted in the ascendancy of Hitler and National Socialism. The Nazi leadership was masterful in the politics of conspiracy and underhand tactics, but most importantly, they knew how to manipulate the public mood and exploit the situation to their advantage: A time when the Weimar Republic, born from the much-resented Treaty of Versailles, was wobbling in the face of economic depression and social unrest. People unwittingly voted for a future dictatorship that would commit heinous crimes against humanity and ultimately bring about the wrath of defeat and destruction on Germany itself.
As a final note, the book leaves a lingering question in the mind of readers: What lessons can we derive from such disaster to make sure history will never repeat itself again?
April 9, 2022
The rise and fall of the Nazis.
What makes Nazi managed to hold the political power in Germany? Who voted Nazi and why? What makes Nazi being accepted by the Germans? What makes Hitler a prominent leader even though he is not that good? What makes Nazi really hated the Jews until they started the 'racial hygiene'? So many questions about the Nazi answered in this book.
For a "brief history", it is well-researched, wide ranging and extensively detail. It does provide a good understanding on how the Nazi/Nazism rise in the late 1910s until it fall in the mid 1940s. The Nazis themselves had completely changed the European landscape politically, economically and socially.
The horrors of the Nazis have given a nightmare to the world community. Positively, there is a clear determination to ensure that the horrors of Nazism are not repeated, by commemorations such as Holocaust Remembrance and educated the modern generation about racism and intolerance.
What makes Nazi managed to hold the political power in Germany? Who voted Nazi and why? What makes Nazi being accepted by the Germans? What makes Hitler a prominent leader even though he is not that good? What makes Nazi really hated the Jews until they started the 'racial hygiene'? So many questions about the Nazi answered in this book.
For a "brief history", it is well-researched, wide ranging and extensively detail. It does provide a good understanding on how the Nazi/Nazism rise in the late 1910s until it fall in the mid 1940s. The Nazis themselves had completely changed the European landscape politically, economically and socially.
The horrors of the Nazis have given a nightmare to the world community. Positively, there is a clear determination to ensure that the horrors of Nazism are not repeated, by commemorations such as Holocaust Remembrance and educated the modern generation about racism and intolerance.
January 25, 2024
Very good. I wish there was slightly more analysis on the period immediately after the Nazis came to power. I understand the dynamics leading to their rise, but I didn’t quite grasp how and why German society rallied behind them as they reshaped society from 1933-35 (before the economic “miracle” of unrestricted deficit spending).
February 21, 2024
I don’t know what I expected as it is titled “A Brief History” but some paragraphs were quite literally half a page long which, coupled with his simplistic writing style, felt inadequate and shallow. This book is reminiscent of GSCE revision and perhaps better served as a very broad introduction to the topic rather than something which could offer rich insights.
July 4, 2021
A concise slightly different take on a slice of history, spiced with ground level views and individual narrations of a historical collection of events that seem to collectively cater to that area of the “fascination of the abomination” inherent in our dark souls.
3.5*/5*
3.5*/5*
January 20, 2020
The good and bad about the book is it is very brief...
August 24, 2024
This was a very interesting insight. It's a bit of a heavy read and took me a whole to finish it, but I learned a lot from it.
December 31, 2014
The fundamental questions this book is trying to answer revolve around the support of German people for Nazi leadership. Were they dupped, coerced, forced or persuaded to vote for the Nazi and subsequently support it on its war effort? On the other side, how the Nazi effectively gamed the system and made itself legitimately elected to rule?
There's no easy answer. We know all along that the state of economy, due to the Versailles treaty and the great depression, played a major role in swinging the German's people support for the Nazi. But objectively these are also the situations where Communist Party usually able to turn for they own benefit. In terms of coercion this was also the time when militias from every ideologies actually thriving in Germany. Nazi's own Brown Shirt while being the most organized was not unique at that time.
This book offers several other factors which contribute to its raise to power. First the Nazi's own ideology: it was a fascist and extremely nationalist but tactically it was reactionary. It offered nothing & everything depending on its audience. To farmers it offered land, to small business protection, to big business domestic market, to the poor social security, to the rich status quo. Secondly, once it gained a foothold in the election the Nazi systematically strengthen its base and eroding its competitors through rhetoric, propaganda and intimidation. Thirdly it smartly manipulating the weak political infrastructure, a result of new constitution that created the Weimar Republic.
Important to notice that, against popular believe, Nazi party never actually won an effective majority in the elections: it always had to form a coalition in the parliament to rule. Hitler himself was unable to beat Hindenburg in the Presidential election. It was only through political maneuvering and manipulating the inherent weakness in Weimar Republic's political system that Hitler was appointed (not elected) as Chancellor.
This is not to take responsibility away from the German people for the Nazi's atrocity: they were lulled by the economic improvement and at least took a blind eye on what the Nazis were doing under their nose. But one important conclusion from this book is that considering the Nazi party's performance during the election, it seems that democracy actually works in containing fascism and fundamentalism. If only they gave democracy a chance the Nazi might not took power at all. This is echoing Churchill's famous dictum "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time."
There's no easy answer. We know all along that the state of economy, due to the Versailles treaty and the great depression, played a major role in swinging the German's people support for the Nazi. But objectively these are also the situations where Communist Party usually able to turn for they own benefit. In terms of coercion this was also the time when militias from every ideologies actually thriving in Germany. Nazi's own Brown Shirt while being the most organized was not unique at that time.
This book offers several other factors which contribute to its raise to power. First the Nazi's own ideology: it was a fascist and extremely nationalist but tactically it was reactionary. It offered nothing & everything depending on its audience. To farmers it offered land, to small business protection, to big business domestic market, to the poor social security, to the rich status quo. Secondly, once it gained a foothold in the election the Nazi systematically strengthen its base and eroding its competitors through rhetoric, propaganda and intimidation. Thirdly it smartly manipulating the weak political infrastructure, a result of new constitution that created the Weimar Republic.
Important to notice that, against popular believe, Nazi party never actually won an effective majority in the elections: it always had to form a coalition in the parliament to rule. Hitler himself was unable to beat Hindenburg in the Presidential election. It was only through political maneuvering and manipulating the inherent weakness in Weimar Republic's political system that Hitler was appointed (not elected) as Chancellor.
This is not to take responsibility away from the German people for the Nazi's atrocity: they were lulled by the economic improvement and at least took a blind eye on what the Nazis were doing under their nose. But one important conclusion from this book is that considering the Nazi party's performance during the election, it seems that democracy actually works in containing fascism and fundamentalism. If only they gave democracy a chance the Nazi might not took power at all. This is echoing Churchill's famous dictum "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time."
June 24, 2020
It is a tall order to look at brutality in the eye and fight the urge to look away. But it is necessary. It is a slippery slope to acquiesce with new realities we cannot accept. We need to struggle and remember who we are.
Power came to Hitler at a time when all the necessary ingredients for fascism were in place: economic turmoil, discontent, deeply ingrained prejudice, and the eventual stifling of dissent. Martyn Whittock outlines the motions leading to the rise of the Third Reich. He shows that the Nazis were a product of their era and not a mere anomaly in history. Further, he reminds us that the ideology that led to the Third Reich is not unique to Germany. He illustrates the complicity of ordinary citizens as they helped the Nazis reach the zenith of their power, a complicity that is not isolated and can be easily replicated elsewhere. From doctors who volunteered to kill children through starvation and drugs, to families who knowingly abandoned their own kin to their deaths.
Whittock encourages us to keep asking the difficult questions of this moment in time. A message that resonates to our present, when the ideology of Nazism and fascism has still not been successfully stamped out. He draws from the inspiring stories of bravery and dissent exemplified within the very heart of Germany.
Three hundred pages may not be enough to compress the events in and around the twelve years of the Third Reich so one is encouraged to look to further reading. However, I appreciate the many citations in this book that are going to keep my TBR list filled for the next couple of years.
Power came to Hitler at a time when all the necessary ingredients for fascism were in place: economic turmoil, discontent, deeply ingrained prejudice, and the eventual stifling of dissent. Martyn Whittock outlines the motions leading to the rise of the Third Reich. He shows that the Nazis were a product of their era and not a mere anomaly in history. Further, he reminds us that the ideology that led to the Third Reich is not unique to Germany. He illustrates the complicity of ordinary citizens as they helped the Nazis reach the zenith of their power, a complicity that is not isolated and can be easily replicated elsewhere. From doctors who volunteered to kill children through starvation and drugs, to families who knowingly abandoned their own kin to their deaths.
Whittock encourages us to keep asking the difficult questions of this moment in time. A message that resonates to our present, when the ideology of Nazism and fascism has still not been successfully stamped out. He draws from the inspiring stories of bravery and dissent exemplified within the very heart of Germany.
Three hundred pages may not be enough to compress the events in and around the twelve years of the Third Reich so one is encouraged to look to further reading. However, I appreciate the many citations in this book that are going to keep my TBR list filled for the next couple of years.
October 22, 2012
The best short history of the 3rd Reich I have read. The only reason it is marked down is a bit of poor proof reading and editing. Wittock is to be admired for producing an introductory book that does not home into just the war itself and briefly explains the day to day life of all that lived in these unhappy times. These "Brief history of" series are well worth the couple of dollars.
December 30, 2017
This book was a good overview of the Third Reich, although at times I did feel that the writing could be a bit repetitive. I'd say it's a great reference guide for anyone researching this period of history, as the chapters of the book are separated not by time but by subject. Definitely more of a supplementary reading material when it comes to this subject.
July 25, 2015
An interesting breakdown of the various ways different parts of society were affected during the Third Reich. Doesn't go into much detail due to the huge scope of the topic in question, but a good but sometimes brief overview that highlights the different ways Nazi rule affected people.
June 21, 2024
I have a fair memory of German history from school, things like the Weimar republic, the Treaty of Versailles, the Reichstag fire and Kristallnacht, which were all things this book touched on, but what I really found interesting were the parts about day to day living in a Germany that saw the end of Weimar and the rise and fall of the Third Reich. The chapter on the role of women was a real insight. The Nazi agenda was to make the woman's concern limited to kinder, küche, kirche, and this didn't seem to dampen the support of women voters. If I'm recalling correctly, the female vote was quite important, even though opportunities for women were of little concern.
There's a lot in this book which is appalling and shocking and yet a moment later I'd find myself thinking that maybe it wasn't so appalling and shocking, knowing what we know about the concentration camps, the final solution and Hitler's general fucknuttery. I suppose the worst thing about reading this book was an overpowering sense that humans are easy to coerce into a mindset of compliance if they are given a good enough reason, like a greater good, a better future and protection from community outsiders who would do us harm or infect our way of life.
The Nazi regime certainly isn't history's first example of the worst of humanity, but they were definitely gunning for the position of history's most unforgettable evil fucks. A gold medal to them on that and a bronze for the countries who were too busy dithering about to act quickly.
It's a good read about a very sad episode in human history.
There's a lot in this book which is appalling and shocking and yet a moment later I'd find myself thinking that maybe it wasn't so appalling and shocking, knowing what we know about the concentration camps, the final solution and Hitler's general fucknuttery. I suppose the worst thing about reading this book was an overpowering sense that humans are easy to coerce into a mindset of compliance if they are given a good enough reason, like a greater good, a better future and protection from community outsiders who would do us harm or infect our way of life.
The Nazi regime certainly isn't history's first example of the worst of humanity, but they were definitely gunning for the position of history's most unforgettable evil fucks. A gold medal to them on that and a bronze for the countries who were too busy dithering about to act quickly.
It's a good read about a very sad episode in human history.
August 22, 2023
A simple yet concise book on the history of Nazi during the WW II. Heavy on facts, numerical statistics and citations. I personally liked that the author wrote about the Nazi from various aspects and elements (women, youth, economics, religion etc.) It allows us to understand Hitler more since he is known mostly for his hatred against the Jews, and his obsession with German expansion during WW II. It somehow gives us a a glimpse of other unpopular aspects of Hitler such as his opinion on Christianity, youth participation in politics and him coming into power as the Chancellor of Germany. The title also speaks for itself. If you want to acquire above average knowledge on the Nazis and Hitler, I would suggest this book.
However, if you are looking for a book that touches you emotionally, this is NOT the book. It is more of a technical book written based on historical facts and data. I am not entirely disappointed since there are other books written that can supply and execute the emotional style of writing to leave me speechless. Secondly, Hitler is one of the most hated war criminals in WW II history. I would find the ending more impactful if the author emphasise more about his shameful suicide death with deep elaborative details. A slight shame would definitely add more spice. Lastly, the author should have also shared a bit more on the prosecution of Nazi Criminals such as during the Nuremberg Trials, Adolf Eichman trial etc. This will showcase the importance of prosecuting war criminals for their crimes against humanity.
However, if you are looking for a book that touches you emotionally, this is NOT the book. It is more of a technical book written based on historical facts and data. I am not entirely disappointed since there are other books written that can supply and execute the emotional style of writing to leave me speechless. Secondly, Hitler is one of the most hated war criminals in WW II history. I would find the ending more impactful if the author emphasise more about his shameful suicide death with deep elaborative details. A slight shame would definitely add more spice. Lastly, the author should have also shared a bit more on the prosecution of Nazi Criminals such as during the Nuremberg Trials, Adolf Eichman trial etc. This will showcase the importance of prosecuting war criminals for their crimes against humanity.
May 20, 2024
This is a very good book about how the Nazis operated and affected people living under their control, particularly Germans. It looks at how the Nazis gained and consolidated power originally and where they got their support from. It also looks at the problems with the German economy under Nazi rule.
One consistent theme throughout is Hitler's tenuous connection to reality, which worked out well for him early on but eventually led to disaster. Whittock refers to Hitler's "gamblers mentality" that allowed him to bluff early on when Britain, France and the USSR were not prepared to resist, but came back to haunt him once they had had enough.
Another consistent theme was that the Nazis wanted to control most aspects of society, forcing Germans to go along. Many did so with enthusiasm, but as the war dragged on, more and more resisted, usually passively but occasionally actively.
Whittock finishes by showing the legacy of the Third Reich, which was essentially to reinforce everything Hitler hated. Communist power grew. The world establish a rules-based order. Jews got their own state in which they could protect themselves. Germany and France became allies. In short, modern Europe is largely shaped by the Nazis, although not the way they had intended.
I found this book very interesting because of its unusual perspective. It is only moderate in length (300 pages) and is well-written. Highly recommended for someone interested in WWII or European history.
One consistent theme throughout is Hitler's tenuous connection to reality, which worked out well for him early on but eventually led to disaster. Whittock refers to Hitler's "gamblers mentality" that allowed him to bluff early on when Britain, France and the USSR were not prepared to resist, but came back to haunt him once they had had enough.
Another consistent theme was that the Nazis wanted to control most aspects of society, forcing Germans to go along. Many did so with enthusiasm, but as the war dragged on, more and more resisted, usually passively but occasionally actively.
Whittock finishes by showing the legacy of the Third Reich, which was essentially to reinforce everything Hitler hated. Communist power grew. The world establish a rules-based order. Jews got their own state in which they could protect themselves. Germany and France became allies. In short, modern Europe is largely shaped by the Nazis, although not the way they had intended.
I found this book very interesting because of its unusual perspective. It is only moderate in length (300 pages) and is well-written. Highly recommended for someone interested in WWII or European history.
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March 3, 2025I am NOT rating this book. It’s a history book, I haven’t read enough to know what constitutes a good one. I will write a simple review though.
If you’re interested in the third reich and Nazism, this is the book for you. If you’re just interested in world war 2 and Nazis then don’t read this. This books talks about the creation and downfall of nazism. Spoiler, the nazi party was created before Hitler and was a small part of German politics from 1919 (I think that’s the year, if not it’s relatively close to it). You learn about nazism and gender, economics, politics, the war, modern age, gender roles, and etc. (I know I’m leaving some things out but I can’t remember off the top of my head)
It is interesting, but it is also very dense. It took me so long to read because of days off (had things to do), and just because all the information is so important. I would honestly say I couldn’t read more than 5 pages without checking how far I’d gotten because it feels so long.
Only recommend to those interested in this topic.
If you’re interested in the third reich and Nazism, this is the book for you. If you’re just interested in world war 2 and Nazis then don’t read this. This books talks about the creation and downfall of nazism. Spoiler, the nazi party was created before Hitler and was a small part of German politics from 1919 (I think that’s the year, if not it’s relatively close to it). You learn about nazism and gender, economics, politics, the war, modern age, gender roles, and etc. (I know I’m leaving some things out but I can’t remember off the top of my head)
It is interesting, but it is also very dense. It took me so long to read because of days off (had things to do), and just because all the information is so important. I would honestly say I couldn’t read more than 5 pages without checking how far I’d gotten because it feels so long.
Only recommend to those interested in this topic.
June 8, 2017
Um livro que prentede contar a história do Terceiro Reich de forma breve mas que nem por isso deixa de focar todos os elementos principais e outros, muitas vezes esquecidos.
Livro dividido em capitulos temáticos que contam desde o fim da WWI até ao legado do Terceiro Reich. Foca tanto a parte militar, política como social. Não esquecendo obviamente as partes mais negras como as batalhas mais sangrentas e o Holocausto. Mas apesar de ser uma breve história realmente aborda um pouco de tudo. Não indo ao mais ínfimo pormenor, toca em quase todas as facetas possíveis e imaginárias. Muito boa leitura para ter uma ideia geral, mas também algo pormenorizada. Principalmente em temas como a análise social do que levou a população a apoiar e aceitar as ideias propostas pelos Nazis. Bem como perceber o que levou a determinados actos dos Aliados antes da WWII começar.
Leitura obrigatória para quem aprecia o tema ou simplesmente quer saber um pouco mais.
Livro dividido em capitulos temáticos que contam desde o fim da WWI até ao legado do Terceiro Reich. Foca tanto a parte militar, política como social. Não esquecendo obviamente as partes mais negras como as batalhas mais sangrentas e o Holocausto. Mas apesar de ser uma breve história realmente aborda um pouco de tudo. Não indo ao mais ínfimo pormenor, toca em quase todas as facetas possíveis e imaginárias. Muito boa leitura para ter uma ideia geral, mas também algo pormenorizada. Principalmente em temas como a análise social do que levou a população a apoiar e aceitar as ideias propostas pelos Nazis. Bem como perceber o que levou a determinados actos dos Aliados antes da WWII começar.
Leitura obrigatória para quem aprecia o tema ou simplesmente quer saber um pouco mais.
January 19, 2024
A very good concise book about how the German people reacted to Hitler and the Third Reich. It would be easy to draw modern comparisons between populism in our own time but that would be to deflect from the insidious influence that the liberal media has had on stifling proper political debate on a wide range of contentious issues and in that manner created conditions for more extremist left ideas to take centre ground, specifically in the area of euthanasia and abortion which paradoxically would be in line with Nazi ideology.
The learnings taken by the West from the Nazi indoctrination of its population seems to be that whoever controls the airwaves pretty much controls the country. In the name of 'progress' and 'diversity' we appear to have left leaning governments implementing Nazi policies today.
It seems ironic that the so-called right are the people calling for more freedom of speech.
The learnings taken by the West from the Nazi indoctrination of its population seems to be that whoever controls the airwaves pretty much controls the country. In the name of 'progress' and 'diversity' we appear to have left leaning governments implementing Nazi policies today.
It seems ironic that the so-called right are the people calling for more freedom of speech.
April 16, 2019
I have often wondered how the nazi party rised to not only control german politics but the German population and how the German people allowed what was obviously a nasty ideology to not only prevail but hold power and lead german into the wars and atrocities of world war 2. This book has come a long way to help me understand per 1939 Germany and that it was not black and white but a mixture of old and new grievances and to be honest racisms that came together at a time and hitler being in the right place at the right time seize control without much push back. I can see how it might of been hard for some especially the low and middle class workers of German to see what he would become and lead the German ppl to in 1932.
November 1, 2019
This is a must-read for all who are interested in the phenomenon of the Nazi rise to power and their eventual decimation. A note of caution: the book is not an account of how WW2 unfolded. It describes the factors that led to the Nazi party trumping all opponents to assume unassailable power over Germany, and how various groups such as workers, soldiers and women, were impacted by it. The last one-third of "A Brief History' majorly deals with the War and its aftermath. The highlight is unquestionably the vivid retelling of the Holocaust. Whittock doesn't try to shock his audience; he just tells it as it was. And therein lies the effectiveness of his narrative. If for nothing else, read this book for it.
December 1, 2020
There are several books on World War II and Nazi Germany. However, what stands this book ('The Third Reich: The Rise and Fall of the Nazis') apart from others is how the author has described the social, cultural, political and economic reasons behind the rise of Nazis. In around 300 pages, Martyn Whittock vividly describes how a bunch of racist, war-mongering thugs of the Nazi Party manipulated the emotions of the German People and caused the greatest war the world has ever seen along with the annihilation of some 40 million people; 11 million dying in concentration and death camps alone. It is a great read to understand how fascist states and dictatorships are established and how we must always be on guard to never let this dark chapter of history repeat itself.
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