Nuremberg: Evil on Trial

by James Owen

As the Second World War ended, the first army unit to come across the Nazi leaders could have executed them summarily. Or their judgement might have fallen to the German people, as at the end of the First World War. But an international military tribunal offered the unprecedented opportunity for them to be fairly tried and damned only on the evidence of their own meticulous documentation of genocide, war crimes and other atrocities.

In November 1945, 22 of Nazi Germany's leading figures took the stand in a trial that foreshadowed the trials of war criminals in Bosnia, and Saddam Hussein in Iraq today. Nuremberg: Evil on Trial reveals the courtroom drama that unfolded. Sixty years after the verdict and executions, using original transcripts and incisive commentary, this is a comprehensive yet accessible account of a key moment in world history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, Germany, War, Holocaust

376 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2006

Reviews

[Edgarr Alien Pooh · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I will start by saying this book in major parts was quite boring, but how do you make a true account of the Nuremberg trials exciting?

Basically, the book covers off each of the individuals brought to trial to face Crimes Against Humanity for the part in the lead-up and the occurrence of WWII. It runs through a brief description of each of the trial lawyers and their history and what their part will be in proceedings. The bulk of the book is a ""first hand"" account by each of the defendants describing their part in the building of Nazi Germany and the invasion of several nations during the war. Naturally, a lot of the crime aspect was based on the Holocaust and the extermination of other innocents and captured soldiers.

With the exception of Goering, beca
use he was the highest ranked defendant, all defenses seemed to be based on ""I was told to do this by high up command."" This defence was not accepted as valid which considering the atrocities seems fair but let me play Devil's advocate (although I DO NOT condone any of their actions). If one of these three men commanded you to perform a duty during the war - Hitler, Goebbels or Himmler - was there any point to refusing and expecting to live? In respect to preservation of one's own life, it does feel as though this defence is valid.

Interestingly the prosecutors were not up to the job, particularly when dealing with Goering. Who knows what further outcomes would have been achieved if they were a bit sharper at their roles, however in the end verdicts were handed down. Many death penalties and long jail sentences and actually a couple of aquittals.

For purists who want to follow the trials like they were seated at Nuremberg, this will make a great read. I,
myself, was hoping for a more in-depth analysis of the actual crimes. In many areas, these were skimmed over as James Owen acknowledged that the defendant agreed that he played a role.

Still a horrific account of an evil empire.
"

[Mike White · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Aside from Jackson’s lack of skill in cross-examination, he was handicapped by his lofty aspiration for the trial, which he hoped would demonstrate the moral superiority of democratic government and, on a personal level, might cap his legal career with a world-resounding success.
A few weeks after his exchanges with Goering, the leadership of the Supreme Court fell vacant when Chief Justice Harlan Stone died. Jackson had long been mooted as a potential successor but in the event he was not chosen. Might things have gone differently had he fared better with Goering?”
The 24 defendants were accused of conspiracy; planning or waging a war of aggression;* war crimes; and crimes against humanity.
There is a huge amount of material from the trial at Nuremberg and the author has selected the most interesting and relevant pieces and gives an illuminating commentary. Goering ran rings round his interrogator and finally [spoiler alert] cheated the hangman by taking poison hours before his scheduled execution. Included is a photograph of his jailer admitting his prisoner’s suicide.
* ‘Planning or waging a war of aggression’ was apparently only a crime in 1945/6 since the instigators of recent wars (Afghanistan, Iraq II, etc.) have avoided indictment.
A valuable book for anyone interested in the Nuremberg trial.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The trials at Nuremberg were such a large and complex undertaking that it would be difficult for any writer to give a comprehensive account of the event however James Owen makes a good effort to give a flavour of the proceedings. Owens mixes transcripts from the trials with diary entries and reports from a range of the participants with some background narration to give context. Not an in-depth account but certainly interesting for someone like myself with a general interest in the time period

[Tim Turnbull · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book on the Nuremberg Trials as it provided a really good overview of the judges and prosecutors involved, the collection of evidence, the lengthy proceedings and judgement and sentences. There were some real surprises and I especially liked the insights into how different Germans under the trial handled the revelations about the sheer scale of atrocities and mass murders committed during the war.

[Iván Ramírez Osorio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un libro introductorio sobre lo ocurrido en Nuremberg al finalizar la Segunda Guerra Mundial. El libro presenta un resumen de cada caso tratado en los juicios y el ambiente incierto que recubría la ciudad en ruinas en las que se llevó a cabo este proceso. Está bien.

[Salomé · Rating 4 out of 5]

Era una parte de la historia que desconocía por completo y ha estado muy interesante, tanto desde el punto de vista de los países Aliados y la forma de organizar el juicio, como desde el punto de vista de los nazis y su intento por parecer inocentes entre tanta barbarie.



8/10

[Aurélien Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

James Owen, a British journalist, delivers here a very accessible little book on one of the most famous historical trial ever. Using legal transcripts, memoirs, newspapers' articles, notes and other various documents from the tribunal, judges, accused themselves, and, various witnesses, here's a patchwork of outlooks which, all put together, offers a great overview of the event as well as the disagreements that fed it all behind closed doors - a justice for the winners only; the problems of varying legislations and legal practices between the Allies; the horror and brutality of a regime whose leaders appear here, nevertheless, of a chilling banality...

It's blunt and straightforward enough to get a very good understanding of how it all went on. However, I am sure there are other reads out there also offering an in-depth analysis of such an unprecedented trial! A good retelling, but not really insightful.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned from this book. It captures not just the trial but also the mood in both the allied camp and in Nuremberg at the time. If you are wishing to learn about the trials and the men involved in context of the time and politics then this is an excellent place to start. It includes actual transcripts along side character profiles for the most prominent players. The book is not easy to read in parts, but then that is a reflection on the war and trials not being a piece of history easily ignored.

[Kit · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a good place to start for someone interested in the Nuremberg Trials. Aside from the trial, the author also handled the events happening behind the scenes giving the reader an idea as to how the trial affected both parties and vice versa. The book is composed of transcripts from the trial as well as journal entries of those involved so there are parts where the reader might fnd it difficult to continue if only because trial transcripts are not the easiest to read. Overall though, it is a good read.