The Nazis and the Supernatural: The Occult Secrets of Hitler's Evil Empire

by Michael Fitzgerald

The Nazis and the Supernatural is a gripping account of the magical thinking that dominated Nazi beliefs throughout the Second World War. Exploring the Nazi obsession with the occult and symbols of arcane power, it sheds new light on the most hated political movement in history, and reveals how occultism both helped and hindered the Nazis.

Illustrated throughout with informative photographs, and featuring a wealth of new facts and conclusions, The Nazis and the Supernatural includes information
• the Vril Society
• the New Teutonic Knights
• Black Camelot
• the Nazi 'Occult Bureau'
• the Nazis and Atlantis

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Occult, European History

256 pages, Paperback

Published February 15, 2021

About the author

I love my family, books and writing, horses and skiing, and now running. I graduated with a bachelors in English from BYU and have worked as a writer ever since. I started keeping a personal journal in 1976 and accidentally wrote over 7,000 pages. I'm also the author of over twenty books in several genres, most recently a New Young Adult fantasy set in the contemporary West, Song of Falling Leaves. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I served as a missionary in Ohio and recently as a bishop. My wife Cristi and I married in the Manti Temple in 1979, and we have three daughters and four grandsons.

Reviews

[Stefan Mitev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Много книги разглеждат причините за възхода и падението на Третия райх - икономически, политически, логистични и др. Но досега не бях срещал тезата, че залитането по окултни практики, за сметка на научната истина, има важно влияние за изхода на Втората световна война.

Книгата "Нацистите и свръхестественото" е дискусия върху всевъзможни езотерични идеи и движения, които са намерили благодатна почва за развитие в нацистка Германия. Смея да твърдя, че съм добре запознат с псевдонаучните теории и шарлатанските култове от двадесети век. Въпреки това открих нови неподозирани върхове на човешката глупост и наивност, чиято жертва са ставали, както обикновени хора, така и видни представители на политическата върхушка.

Само малка част от разгледаните теми са обществото Туле, обществото Врил, митичните Атлантида, Агарта и Шамбала, теория за кухата Земя (да не се бърка с плоската!), "арийска" физика, "германска" математика, езотерична пропаганда чрез хороскопи, фалшифицирани предсказания на Нострадамус и какво ли още не.

Нацистките лидери са пропилели огромни ресурси за преследване на псевдонаучни теории, вместо да се доверят на науката. Без съмнение лесната им податливост на окултни практики е допринесла за тяхното падение. Още една малка част от пъзела, наречен Втора световна война.

Силно препоръчвам книгата на хората, които се вълнуват от историческия период, защото ще научите факти и идеи, които няма да срещнете другаде. Повечето историци не отделят никакво внимание на последиците от отричането на научните принципи. А трябва.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Nazis and the supernatural by Micheal Fitzgerald is a dive into the dark and fantasy driven world of the Nazis.

Fitzgerald touch’s on several topics in this book from occultism to the Dark order of the SS and Himmlers vision of a new Teutonic Knights order that would bring about a new world order! And the search for Atlantis and even religious relics such as the holy grail and the lost Ark.

I felt this book was put together fairly well however it did not bring anything new to the topic of the Nazis in terms of occultism or the SS it just felt like the same information recycled.

I’ve read a few books now on Nazi occultism as much as I did enjoy this book it wasent anything new for me however for those who do not know much on the subject I believe this book would be a great introduction into that field!

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good but unoriginal reading of the topic. A good place to start for beginners.

[BenAbe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book examines the role of occultism in shaping Nazi ideology and policies. There are generally two approaches to this subject: one that dismisses the occult as having any meaningful influence on Nazism, focusing instead on economic, geopolitical, and technical explanations; and another that exaggerates its impact, claiming it not only influenced Nazi ideology and key figures but also determined the entire course of the war. The author takes a middle-ground approach, exploring to what extent the occult realistically influenced Nazi thinking.

The book’s chapters examine various influences. Heinrich Himmler, for instance, devoted significant time, effort, and money to projects such as neopagan festivals, pseudo-historical research on Atlantis, and costly expeditions in pursuit of absurd ventures. Alfred Rosenberg, the party’s chief ideologue, sought to replace Christianity with a revived form of Gnosticism. Hermann Göring entertained hollow Earth theories, and the party even employed astrologers. Hitler, too, was shaped by the pseudoscientific racial theories prevalent at the time.

Throughout the 12 years of Nazi rule, real science was often replaced by pseudoscience with racial overtones, and history was rewritten into pseudohistory. The Ahnenerbe, Himmler’s research institute, sought not only to uncover the past of the German nation but also to fabricate a glorified Germanic history, portraying Germany as the pinnacle of civilization that had bestowed culture upon others. Many other similarly irrational beliefs took hold within the regime.

One of the weaker aspects of the book is the final section, which feels somewhat rushed, its treatment of how these beliefs may have impacted the actual course of the war itself is left open-ended. Instead of offering a clear, well-supported argument, the author seems to lean toward speculation, leaving readers without concrete conclusions. This lack of clarity might leave some readers feeling that the book falls short of fully delivering on its premise, particularly for those looking for a more definitive assessment of the occult’s role in shaping wartime decisions.

On the whole, if you were like me, that is, you didn't know anything about this subject, this might serve as a good introduction.
2.5 stars

[Gabriella]

not gonna harsh on the author’s, shall we say, “interesting” organization of the book and use of grammar because basically it’s my fault that i read the first thing that came up when i googled “esoteric hitlerism books.” but even tho he can’t write that well this guy kinda knows whats up which is dope.
i think it’s beautiful that the war against the nazis was partly fought on the astral plane. i feel bad for nietzsche. i think silicon valley might be the second cumming of the third reich. wolf messing kinda seems like the goat i really like him. anyway.

[Cat Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

topics are good. I feel like the writing is all over the place on each individual topic/section

[Yvonne Hop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much about the Nazis, not a lot about true supernatural or occult practices. It’s mainly about the borrowed symbolism and them trying to justify their actions by taking bits of different religions and theories.

And so, so, so many names.

[Mike Routliffe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.

[John Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pros:
-Realism: Definitely puts all the mainstream mysticism aside of hypnotism, mediumship, a Satan, shamanism or a voodoo practice and focuses on social engineering tactics, like mesmerization, in how Hitler could control the minds of several working poor class citizens. Secondly, thoroughly explains how vril (or in other cultures chi, reiki etc) can be used to align the working poor classes essence with their chakras to overpower the system from the outside in verses from the inside out; by destroying the other classes.

-Bias: Opinions on female tyranny of the 1910-1940's American citizenry. Opinions on mysticism, such as the materialism decadence, created by Christianity & the Jewish religious sect.

-History: The appropriate representation of the earliest black operatives with amnesia & psychic warfare. Good showing of defective allocation costed them morale, casualties, and the war by chasing mysticism off the cliff.

-Science: Some theories, like the moon being of ice, can't be denied just as much as it can't be proven in scientific method. Due to spaces nature and content the moons dust found (and I believe returned) by astronauts & cosmonauts alike very well could be a form of ice beyond our understanding. Other than that, no one witnessed how we got here, let alone if a theory on human origins, is invalid let alone valid.

Cons:

-Bias: The emotions, such as family happiness with SS/SA control, can't be verified as valid.

-Science: Some theories are just absurd. Although astrology can be hit and miss it's not science as astronomy - therefore horoscopes costed them the war too (Stalingrad etc) not just absurd spending.

Overall: Great book - especially if you've read Mein Kampf and New Order. Good for seeing the downtrodden effects of citizenry that creates a low morale majority to be controlled, and not just the leadership in the country as an identity, at that time from the cause and effects of the social climate. It's a reminder it can happen anytime, anywhere. Lastly, a reminder of what happens when government steps into everything.

[Squid Hrushka · Rating 4 out of 5]

From hollow earth to real flying saucers, telepathy, Atlantis, astrology, hypnotism and more. Fans of pop culture such as the planet of the apes, hellboy and Indians Jones will enjoy learning a bit of history from this book.

It also included some fun facts regarding the Soviet Union, Britain and the US, as well as some stories involving historical figures such as Einstein, Churchill and even Crowley. Some facts were very surprising.

A mild criticism is that I would’ve liked to understand the intentions and motivations of Germany a little more with some of their spiritual philosophies and plans. A lot feels very “to the point” and glazed over. I would not personally regard some topics in this book as supernatural, such as eugenics, despite the evil ideas behind its inception in Germany at that time.

The book comes off as “biased” in favour of its subject matter outside of a historical context to hold the readers attention in this way for many of its topics. I’m curious to know (will we ever know?) how much of the ideas were believed to be metaphorical, mostly rejected by nazis, smaller celebrations or believed for very short times by small amounts of people. I suppose I would’ve liked a little more context geopolitically and realistically in regards to these ideas and beliefs. The conclusion of the novel kind of covers these qualms, but it would’ve been a good narrative for the author to explore more throughout the book.

No matter what, for those interested in exploring their own ideas of science fiction, this book is full of inspiration for writers, artists and more. It was rather enjoyable especially near the latter half!

[Joshua “squid” Hrushka · Rating 4 out of 5]

From hollow earth to real flying saucers, telepathy, Atlantis, astrology, hypnotism and more. Fans of pop culture such as the planet of the apes, hellboy and Indians Jones will enjoy learning a bit of history from this book.

It also included some fun facts regarding the Soviet Union, Britain and the US, as well as some stories involving historical figures such as Einstein, Churchill and even Crowley. Some facts were very surprising.

A mild criticism is that I would’ve liked to understand the intentions and motivations of Germany a little more with some of their spiritual philosophies and plans. A lot feels very “to the point” and glazed over. I would not personally regard some topics in this book as supernatural, such as eugenics, despite the evil ideas behind its inception in Germany at that time.

The book comes off as “biased” in favour of its subject matter outside of a historical context to hold the readers attention in this way for many of its topics. I’m curious to know (will we ever know?) how much of the ideas were believed to be metaphorical, mostly rejected by nazis, smaller celebrations or believed for very short times by small amounts of people. I suppose I would’ve liked a little more context geopolitically and realistically in regards to these ideas and beliefs. The conclusion of the novel kind of covers these qualms, but it would’ve been a good narrative for the author to explore more throughout the book.

No matter what, for those interested in exploring their own ideas of science fiction, this book is full of inspiration for writers, artists and more. It was rather enjoyable especially near the latter half!

[Reinhardt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Covers the basic materials about the occult ties of the Nazi elites in the Third Reich, especially Himmler, Hess, and Rosenberg. Explores the esoteric background of Weimar Germany and some of the organizations with loose ties of influence over Nazi leaders. It’s clear that no post-Enlightenment regime has had as much fascination with the occult and the esoteric as the Third Reich. A lot of the influence is indirect (except for the named Nazi’s above), but it’s difficult to verify direct links.

The German fascination with kooky conspiracy theories before WWII is not a surprise. In any given regime where truth is instrumentalized and politicized, conspiracy theories and pseudoscience flourish, no different than in the contemporary situation.

The fatal flaw in this book is a complete lack of sources. The author has never heard of a footnote. Many claims are made and quotes are cited without any sourcing. This makes the claims no different than something your neighbour heard at the grocery store. This book can only be trusted where it is corroborated with better-sourced studies.

[Kate Madru · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nazis and the Supernatural is unsettling not just because of its subject matter, but because of how familiar some of the patterns feel. The book does an excellent job showing how myth, nationalism, pseudoscience, and a longing for a “glorious past” were weaponized by the Nazi regime to justify power, exclusion, and violence.

What makes this book especially chilling is how clearly it illustrates how authoritarian movements don’t rely solely on force, they rely on belief, fear, and stories people want to be true. Reading this in the current political climate was uncomfortable, because the parallels are hard to ignore. The rhetoric, the scapegoating, the obsession with purity and destiny, it all feels alarmingly recognizable.

This isn’t a light read, but it’s an important one. It’s a reminder that history doesn’t repeat itself exactly, but it often rhymes, and that makes this book feel disturbingly relevant today.

[Mark D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best

I’ve read many many histories of the Nazis and the occult ranging from the fantastical to the dismissive. This book s one of the best, bringing in a lot of original material. If you are new to this historical question this is probably the best first book to read.

[Johnathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a lot of interesting facts in this book. While some areas of the book are a little dry for my taste I powered through. It was an interesting read and provided some interesting information on the Nazis and the supernatural.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5? 3.75?
Very readable and super interesting. I would like to read more on the subject, so I'll likely pick up more in the future.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh, a lot of the same old crap about Himmler and the Teutonic Knights etc...

[Wayne Solberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like the other book that I read it was interesting to see what they were working on and what is there today.

[Cathal Joyce-Donnellan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is far from spell-binding or revolutionary in how it details this darkly intriguing part of history. For better or worse, it is just simple and informative. It will surely be an interesting read for those who are new to the topic, while it will likely do little to properly engage those who are well-versed in it.