State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda

by Susan Bachrach, Steven Luckert

“Propaganda,” Adolf Hitler wrote in 1924, “is a truly terrible weapon in the hands of an expert.” State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda documents how, in the 1920s and 1930s, the Nazi Party used posters, newspapers, rallies, and the new technologies of radio and film to sway millions with its vision for a new Germany—reinforced by fear-mongering images of state “enemies.” These images promoted indifference toward the suffering of neighbors disguised the regime’s genocidal actions, and insidiously incited ordinary people to carry out or tolerate mass violence. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is addressing this topic today because, in an age of instant electronic communication, disseminators of messages and images of intolerance and hate have new tools, while at the same time consumers seem less able to cope with the vast amounts of unmediated information bombarding them daily. It is hoped that a deeper understanding of the complexities of the past may help us respond more effectively to today’s propaganda campaigns and biased messages.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, Psychology, Historical, Art, Holocaust

194 pages, Hardcover

First published February 2, 2009

Reviews

[Lewis Weinstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is impossible to fully appreciate the relentless power of Nazi propaganda until you see it spelled out in this book, complete with full color posters and photos. The Nazis lied about everything, but they did so over and over, and they had eliminated all other avenues of communication. Newspapers, radio, theater, film, meetings ... nothing was communicated in any medium except what the Nazis permitted and insisted on.

One missing element from this book was a discussion of the only potential alternate communications channels - the Catholic and Protestant churches - which were almost totally silent during the Nazi years. In my view, had the churches not sold out to the Nazis at the very beginning of Hitler's reign in return for promises of material aid to the churches and church institutions, had priests and pastors told the truth from their pulpits, Hitler could never carried out the organized murder of 6,000,000 Jews and millions of others.

In any case, State of Deception, published by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2009, is a graphic demonstration of the way the Nazis communicated their message. However evil they were, they were also diabolically competent politicians who took full advantage of their monopoly position on propaganda enforced by the SA and SS. As I research and write my new novel which explores why Germans supported Hitler, this book is an invaluable resource.

[Lanier]

I read this book for a Johns Hopkins course and it was enlightening. The Nazis used propaganda to get Germany ready for war and to pave the way for the Holocaust. From Hitler’s rise to the destruction of the Nazis, propaganda was used extensively. Three key ways it was used were:
1. Targeting children and students;
2. Using propaganda across media platforms; and
3. Hosting events where propaganda was displayed or used rhetorically.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for my internship at the USHMM. And I swear my opinion of this book has nothing to do with that position. I mean, it's not paid or anything.

So anyway. This isn't just a book that talks about propaganda. This book *shows* you the propaganda in big glossy pictures. Really the only way to understand it.

This book represents the written form of a previous museum special exhibition/current traveling exhibition and as such, it is structured much more intelligently than some history books.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is even mildly interested in the topic.

[Rory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very informative. It had many facts and great pictures. There were many pictures of propaganda used during the World War 2 era. However, it did get boring sometimes and went endlessly on about one fact or another saying what that fact had to do in the long run. I mean, that can be a good thing, but I would like it much more if the explanation of the fact was a bit shorter. Otherwise, I thought that this was a very good book, though it was long and rarely, but still, slightly tedious. If you are into reading about World War 2 era propaganda then I recommend this book to you.

[Dayna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read! This wonderful book discusses the Nazi use of propaganda techniques during WWII and explains how Hitler and his minions used media control and propaganda to convince the German population to along with, or at least acquiesce to, their programs. The pictures of Nazi posters are in full color and are absolutely beautiful. A well written and timely book.

[James S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically an exhibit book from the USHMM. Provides a basic summary of the course of the Nazi regime alongside some truly chilling and stunning images. A good substitute for seeing the exhibition in person.

[Bruno Porro]

The WRONG author is listed abobe.

It shows Edward Phillips.

It should say Susan Bachrach and Steven Luckert.

[Jesus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative. Saw some pieces of history that i hadn't seen before.

[Alex Cotterill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for generic reading but not much specifically for my Diss

[Jaguar R.]

read for school

[Aarna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a non-fiction book, but is very informative. I think this book provides a lot of information about WWII, and Nazi propaganda, including multiple images too. It tells the story of the ways Nazis used propaganda, and how influential it was. I think anyone who would like to learn about Nazi Propaganda would get a lot of information out of this book, and it is beneficial for WWII knowledge.

[Hatebeams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doesn't really deserve less than full marks. Plentiful prints, excellent reproductions, accessible text.

[Kaspars · Rating 2 out of 5]

bilžu grāmata! rekomendējama tiem kam patīk bildītes :)

[Jerihurd]

Examines the Nazis use of media to promote their political agenda.