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The Nuremburg War Crimes Trial, 1945-1946: A Documentary History
Book by Michael R. Marrus
276 pages, Paperback
First published January 15, 1997
10 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
About the author
Michael R. Marrus
45 books5 followersMichael Robert Marrus, CM FRSC is a Canadian historian of France, the Holocaust and Jewish history. He was born in Toronto and received his BA at the University of Toronto in 1963 and his MA and PhD at the University of California, Berkeley in 1964 and 1968. He is a Professor Emeritus of Holocaust Studies at the University of Toronto.
Marrus is an expert on the history of French Jewry and anti-semitism. He co-wrote with Robert Paxton a book on Vichy France that shows that the anti-semitism of Vichy was not imposed by the Germans, that at times Vichy was more brutal towards the French Jews than the Germans and the French state played a leading and indispensable role in organizing the deportation of Jews to death camps. Furthermore, Marrus and Paxton argued that Vichy was more brutal than other European states occupied by the Germans.
Marrus's book the Holocaust in History is a well-regarded historiographical survey. Marrus wants the Holocaust to be seen as tragedy for humanity, not just Jews. In his book, Marrus was able to offer a synthesis such as the Functionalist vs Intentionalist views of the origins of the Holocaust.
In 2001, after failing to gain access to the Vatican archives from the period after 1923, the International Catholic-Jewish Historical Commission disbanded amid controversy. Unsatisfied with the findings, Marrus said the commission "ran up against a brick wall.... It would have been really helpful to have had support from the Holy See on this issue."
Professor Michael Marrus was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2008.
Marrus married Randi Greenstein in 1971 and has three children.
~from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_...
Marrus is an expert on the history of French Jewry and anti-semitism. He co-wrote with Robert Paxton a book on Vichy France that shows that the anti-semitism of Vichy was not imposed by the Germans, that at times Vichy was more brutal towards the French Jews than the Germans and the French state played a leading and indispensable role in organizing the deportation of Jews to death camps. Furthermore, Marrus and Paxton argued that Vichy was more brutal than other European states occupied by the Germans.
Marrus's book the Holocaust in History is a well-regarded historiographical survey. Marrus wants the Holocaust to be seen as tragedy for humanity, not just Jews. In his book, Marrus was able to offer a synthesis such as the Functionalist vs Intentionalist views of the origins of the Holocaust.
In 2001, after failing to gain access to the Vatican archives from the period after 1923, the International Catholic-Jewish Historical Commission disbanded amid controversy. Unsatisfied with the findings, Marrus said the commission "ran up against a brick wall.... It would have been really helpful to have had support from the Holy See on this issue."
Professor Michael Marrus was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2008.
Marrus married Randi Greenstein in 1971 and has three children.
~from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_...
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 2, 2022
It's an incredibly interesting account of the Nuremberg Trial and the events leading up to it.
However, I was initially quite aghast at the lack of research behind the book, particularly during the first 100 pages. It looked as if someone has just copy-pasted the majority of it without offering any particular thoughts, particularly during the sections where treaties and pacts like Kellogg-Briand were being discussed. Not to mention how Marrus classifies a NAZI newspaper as 'PORNOGRAPHIC' - which makes literally no sense, and couldn't be further from the truth; and how he missed several of the criminals on trial at Nuremberg when describing all the attendees (like Hjalmar Schacht!). It really begs the question as to whether Marrus has even read enough to write a book on the trial, when he has made such ridiculous errors and discrepancies throughout.
Nevertheless, it does improve later on. I particularly enjoyed the questionings of officials like Speer and Goering, and Marrus had used the whole cross-examination report by the court reporter. You can really notice the tinge of bureaucratese from Goering, whilst Speer demonstrates how he was somewhat different to the rest of those on trial - he had not followed in the footsteps as his colleagues who had adored Hitler and the Nazi regime. Instead, much to the chagrin of the prosecutors - he was not particularly well read into the system itself, and had never read Mein Kampf or condoned any particular writings!
The fact that Marrus has published all the testimonies and speeches throughout the trial all in one book is also very impressive, and has helped further my understanding of all the events that occurred. From testimonies on Auschwitz to the Applicability of the 1907 Hague Convention... the list is incredibly detailed and endless.
Also really enjoyed the chapter on 'The Defendants and Their Fate'. Fascinating to see so many releases later on!
6/10. Would 100% read again, but not the best book for those who don't want the extreme depth into the trial.
However, I was initially quite aghast at the lack of research behind the book, particularly during the first 100 pages. It looked as if someone has just copy-pasted the majority of it without offering any particular thoughts, particularly during the sections where treaties and pacts like Kellogg-Briand were being discussed. Not to mention how Marrus classifies a NAZI newspaper as 'PORNOGRAPHIC' - which makes literally no sense, and couldn't be further from the truth; and how he missed several of the criminals on trial at Nuremberg when describing all the attendees (like Hjalmar Schacht!). It really begs the question as to whether Marrus has even read enough to write a book on the trial, when he has made such ridiculous errors and discrepancies throughout.
Nevertheless, it does improve later on. I particularly enjoyed the questionings of officials like Speer and Goering, and Marrus had used the whole cross-examination report by the court reporter. You can really notice the tinge of bureaucratese from Goering, whilst Speer demonstrates how he was somewhat different to the rest of those on trial - he had not followed in the footsteps as his colleagues who had adored Hitler and the Nazi regime. Instead, much to the chagrin of the prosecutors - he was not particularly well read into the system itself, and had never read Mein Kampf or condoned any particular writings!
The fact that Marrus has published all the testimonies and speeches throughout the trial all in one book is also very impressive, and has helped further my understanding of all the events that occurred. From testimonies on Auschwitz to the Applicability of the 1907 Hague Convention... the list is incredibly detailed and endless.
Also really enjoyed the chapter on 'The Defendants and Their Fate'. Fascinating to see so many releases later on!
6/10. Would 100% read again, but not the best book for those who don't want the extreme depth into the trial.
May 6, 2021
A great introduction to the Nuremberg trials with an excellent bibliography for further reading. A great first stop
November 17, 2017
This is a well written book that should peak the interest of history lovers, and those interested in international law and human rights. Marrus does a great job of bringing the story to life through vivid descriptions of Nuremburg immediately post-WWII, and his depictions of the big personalities, prosecutors and defendants alike, that shaped the trial and set precedents for future international trials, including the controversial charge of conspiracy.
December 19, 2018
I wish I could give this 3.5. The first hand accounts it has are absolutely tremendous. I’m generally a reader of fiction, so I can’t give it higher because this is a book that requires careful study and can not be read straight through as I desired. An absolute must read for history and law buffs.
March 4, 2024
obviously i’m not rating the plot. i think it would have made more sense to present the documents along side the commentary instead of making them two separate sections. that way the first half of the book has a purpose.
January 3, 2012
Following the Allied victory of World War II, many of the Nazis and there supporters were brought to trail for their attrocities against the peoples of Europe to include Jews, gyspys, homosexuals, and the mentally ill. This is a discussion of those trials.
April 29, 2014
I loved this book & I LOVED the way the author twissts his narrative with the official documents. & talking about documents, Justice Jackson's speeches made me SLEEP, though I'm a fan of Henry L. Stimson now.
December 3, 2007
interesting use of interweaving actual opening arguments and testimony with the author's own take on events, but ultimately too dense to enjoy.
January 30, 2008
It served its purpose, hence the 2 stars. But it wasn't palatable.
April 23, 2015
Solid selection of Nuremberg-related documents and commentary. My only wish would be for an excerpt from Nikitchenko's dissent.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews