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Who Goes Nazi?
Writing in 1941, American journalist Dorothy Thompson examines a series of fictional characters who possess varying personalities, social statuses, and upbringings, and attempts to determine whether they would "go Nazi" – that is, whether they would support a mainstream Nazi political movement despite not subscribing to a Nazi or otherwise fascistic ideology.
"Who Goes Nazi?" is regarded as one of Thompson's most influential essays and is praised for its continued political relevance.
"Who Goes Nazi?" is regarded as one of Thompson's most influential essays and is praised for its continued political relevance.
Essay
First published August 1, 1941
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About the author
Dorothy Thompson
31 books39 followersDorothy Thompson was an American journalist and radio broadcaster, who was noted by Time magazine in 1939 as one of the two most influential women in America, the other being Eleanor Roosevelt.
She is notable as the first American journalist to be expelled from Nazi Germany (in 1934), one of the few women news commentators on radio during the 1930s, and as the inspiration for Katharine Hepburn's character "Tess Harding" in the film Woman of the Year (1942).
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Note for Goodreads Librarians: there are multiple authors with this name. When adding books for this author, use three spaces between 'Dorothy' and 'Thompson'.
She is notable as the first American journalist to be expelled from Nazi Germany (in 1934), one of the few women news commentators on radio during the 1930s, and as the inspiration for Katharine Hepburn's character "Tess Harding" in the film Woman of the Year (1942).
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Note for Goodreads Librarians: there are multiple authors with this name. When adding books for this author, use three spaces between 'Dorothy' and 'Thompson'.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 4, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
The American exceptionalism jumped out a bit in some of her descriptions of those who would absolutely not go nazi but I wholly agree with the main idea of this essay. Said idea is perfectly captured by this quote near the beginning of the essay:
"Nazism has nothing to do with race and nationality. It appeals to a certain type of mind."
That one quote is such a succint way of putting it and it is the most currently relevant thing that Who Goes Nazi? offers.
Another quote I liked:
"He is the product of a democracy hypocritically preaching social equality and practicing a carelessly brutal snobbery. He is a sensitive, gifted man who has been humiliated into nihilism. He would laugh to see heads roll."
The American exceptionalism jumped out a bit in some of her descriptions of those who would absolutely not go nazi but I wholly agree with the main idea of this essay. Said idea is perfectly captured by this quote near the beginning of the essay:
"Nazism has nothing to do with race and nationality. It appeals to a certain type of mind."
That one quote is such a succint way of putting it and it is the most currently relevant thing that Who Goes Nazi? offers.
Another quote I liked:
"He is the product of a democracy hypocritically preaching social equality and practicing a carelessly brutal snobbery. He is a sensitive, gifted man who has been humiliated into nihilism. He would laugh to see heads roll."
October 2, 2025
"It is an interesting and somewhat macabre parlor game to play at a large gathering of one's acquaintances: to speculate who in a showdown would go nazi."
The American Exceptionalism in this 1941 piece cost it one star (and, ironically, it is a strong element of a fertile soil for nazi-like ideas). However, I am blown away by how it captures the people we are dealing with 80 years later.
The American Exceptionalism in this 1941 piece cost it one star (and, ironically, it is a strong element of a fertile soil for nazi-like ideas). However, I am blown away by how it captures the people we are dealing with 80 years later.
April 7, 2025
Essential reading for the time of Trump.
December 30, 2025
The American Exceptionalism is a bit much, but crazy how a 1941 article is still so relevant today. I recognize a lot of people in these descriptions. An interesting parlor game indeed.
January 23, 2026
Was recommended this by a TA in my Europe in the 20th Century class. A very quick read, but very interesting and eye opening as well!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews