Germany Books

This little book, a nicely translated academic effort that is quite readable, demonstrates the depth of the idea that those who are rendered surperflous are being set up for death. This notion first expressed by Richard Rothstein sweeps across issues of race and nation, and into questions of ablity/disability, perhaps now the most obscured of the social issues that must be addressed by those who seek a more democratic, egalitarian, and civil way of life. The idea that inclusion means ALL, has not reached into the mind-sets of too many on the left, an odd circumstance since many fine efforts like the text at hand show that the old saw, An Injury to One only Goes Before an Injury to All, is quite true. This is a good book for educators, activists, and researchers in all fields.

I first read the book on the medical holocaust in Germany by Dr. Friedlander. I then came across this one in my search for more material having to do with the Deaf in Germany. This book was originally a dissertation, however, Gallaudet Press and the translater, William Sayers, did a great job in turning what would be a dry dissertation into a short, but interesting book.

Horst Biesold is an interpreter who in the performance of his job, came across members of the German deaf community who were finally willing to tell their story about being forced to undergo sterilization. He writes with obvious concern for and about his deaf clients, and the emotional and psychological impact that the eugenics laws had on these people. It is with concern and dismay that I am researching the same subject only in the United States, since the Nazis often wrote that many of their ideas and programs were first proffered by eugenicists in the U.S.

This book is a good reminder that when societies don't stand up for what is right, even when it does not directly affect most individuals, you cannot tell how far the 'slippery slope' is going to go. The Holocaust did not just become the Final Solution for the Jews, but included the gypsies and the disabled, and those who were considered 'life unworthy of life.' With the completion of the Human Genome Project, and proponents of euthanasia getting more vocal, and doctors like Kervorkian, and HMOs who put their bottom line before the worth of people...it is all too possible that this horror could happen again, and in this country. I urge ethicists, physicians, and educators to read this book as well as members of the deaf/disabled community so that we can protect ourselves from those who would put less value on our lives for whatever reason. Karen L. Sadler, Science Education, University of Pittsburgh

This book is a remembrance of what was and tells of the pain and suffering of the German Deaf Community under the leadership of the Third Reich. I read this book, not as a hearing person, but as a Deaf person and I felt there pain. This book is horrifying but more so was the persons who were involved in the Deaf community who helped this government succeed to there sick ideas. Crying Hands reaches out from the darkness to shed light on one chapter in the history of our Deaf people and of our struggle over centuries of oppression. This books value is in it history; Deaf Holocaust History. I recommend this book for everyone.

This is truly great book. Unlike many history books it is written in a very readable style. I have read the original diplomatic transcripts of some of the key meetings here. This book brings them alive. It is also a very good book in getting into the psychology of totalitarianism. Hitler was probably the man Stalin most admired. A good book to read with this is Nazi-Soviet Relations 1939 - 1941: Documents from the Archives of the German Foreign Office.

I view this book very differently than the other reviewer, although both of us rated it 5 stars. I found this book to be one of the best written history books I have ever seen. While it is factual, it is never boring or dry. It is well researched, well written, informative AND interesting.

The book is about the dance that Stalin did with Hitler. Stalin desperately needed to industrialize his country quickly. Hitler was equally desperate for raw materials. The two dictators grudgingly traded something to each other. Stalin knowing that those raw materials would soon be used against his country!

If you enjoy reading this book, I urge you to read any of the many works authored by Sir Martin Gilbert; especially his official biography of Winston Churchill titled "Churchill: A Life."

This is the story of how the world's two greatest (or worst) totalitarian powers reached an agreement to carve Europe between them. Hitler was obsessed with avoiding a two-front war as happened to Germany in WWI. This time, though, the situation was reversed. He sought to knock out the Western powers first before turning to the East. France and England were the major worries at the moment.

Stalin also wanted a free hand as he sought to restore the USSR's border's to pre-Revolution range. This naturally included a division of Poland and the absorption of part of Eastern Europe. One is struck at the gall of these powers sitting at a map and drawing lines, dividing the civilized world into spheres of influece, knowing all the while that in the end, they will have to fight.

The authors record the pre-talks, the feelers, the struggles of the Western powers to stop this deal at any cost. But Hitler was determined to press ahead and secure at least half of his border. There are several mini-tales included that were affected by the treaty - the tragic dismemberment of Poland, the Russian rape of Finland, the beginning of a pattern embraced by both powers and continued by the USSR after the war: The absurd claim that a government would ask either power to invade its territory in order to crush "warmongers".

Both nations shocked their supporters - Germans were puzzled as to why such an agreement was needed with its arch-enemy. Leftists worldwide were struck dumb as their hero, Stalin, smiled and signed on the dotted line. But there was nothing to fear. As the fighting wore on and England refused to bow, Hitler planned the final punch - knock the USSR out of the war and England would be forced to sue for peace. It was almost a success but the supply lines and huge area became a quagmire and the lost retreat was in place. The treaty had served its purpose and like most treaties signed with totalitarian powers it remained in force as long as it was needed.

I read this book with amazement at the suffering the Jewish doctors, in particular dermatologists. This book is written beautifully, almost like a poem. There is no over-dramatization of what actually happened. The story of these doctors is dramatic in and of itself. No embellisments here, just unadulterated history. An eye-opening, heart-wrenching book.

This is not another book about medical experimentation on Jews during the Holocaust. It is an account of what happened to hundreds of physicians during the Nazi era. As the Nazis "coordinated" medicine, Jewish physicians were dismissed from their clinics and teaching positions and replaced by Nazi supporters whose medical skills were mediocre at best.

Weyers focuses on dermatologists because it was traditionally a field of medicine heavily populated by Jews. Weyers is also a dermatologist and dermatopatholgist himself.

The displaced dermatologists whose stories are documented by Weyers either went into hiding, committed suicide, or fled from Germany. Their stories are poignant, and the inclusion of postage stamp size photos of them is a very effective touch.

Highly recommended for anyone--not just physicians--who is interested in Holocaust studies or medical ethics

The author begins with some background into the origins of antisemitism in germany which serves to frame the topic. He then provides a richly detailed accounting of how the effects of Nazi policies affected many of the most famous dermatologists of the era. He also reveals the apathy of the academic community in germany towards the plight of their jewish colleages.

An interesting book. The first section describes the gradual tightening of legal restrictions on the Jewish people of Germany. Each decree gradually stripping another layer of civil protection by defining them as second class citizens. The final legal step was to define what a Jew was, and how they no longer qualified even as a second class citizen.

The second part of the book tells the story of the same process in Poland. Each step was carefully calculated as part of the final solution of the "Jewish problem." Interesting is Heydrichs order in 1939 where it is obvious that extermination was the final goal. Also interesting, at least for me, was how clearly Hitler considered Jews and Communists one and the same. Rather, you could be a communist without being a Jew, but all communists took orders from the international Jewish conspiracy.

The final section describes the events in the Soviet Union where the Holocaust operated without any restraints. This book is about the destruction of the Jewish population so you will not find any reference to the deaths of millions of Poles, Ukranians, etc.

An interesting book. If you have minimal knowledge of the Holocaust this would give the reader a starting point. Please remember this not going to read like a novel although in its own way it is a narrative. A narrative of the destruction of the Jewish people.

This series of legal documents, decrees, orders, instructions or live accounts describes better than any litterary form the progression in horror which our Jewish parents, brothers, sisters, nieces, and nevews had to suffer from April fools' day of 1933 when waring the David star was enforced to this community until the end of the second world war in mid 1945.

As a Christian I was surprised to discover that the trauma resulting from the horrifying murders is so deep in the Jewish community that, for most, its members if they do know about the holocaust, actually don't have a real view of it. Naturally the massive and sadistic aggresion against the Jewish people screens, in this book, the fate of the ones who shared their fate for having protected them or for having fought the Nazis.
After all Jewish people suffered between two third and three quarter of the enormous human non-military losses under surrealistically inhuman conditions.

This book should be handled with the respect normally due to religious books: it represents the steps of the martyrdom of the Jewish families under Nazi madness.

The content of the book should be remembered in details by every western culture including Israel's right wing (after all "Nazi" represents the danger of mixing nationalism and socialism...) Americans should learn from this book that being more powerful doesn't mean being better. Europeans could find in it how non elected "public servants" laugh at democratically elected representatives (elected ones disappear over the time, bureaucrats remain and never have to respond for diffused results).

For the content of this book to be fully meaningful, it should be enlightened by Milgram's explanation of how "Obedience to authority" made it possible for these horror to happen.

A major book which supplies everything Jewish and non Jewish need to know. A reedition with a lot of proper photographs of the murders by the Einsatzgruppen, of the Gettos and of the concentration camps conditions would be welcome.

This series of legal documents, decrees, orders, instructions or live accounts describes better than any litterary form the progression in horror which our Jewish parents, brothers, sisters, nieces, and nevews had to suffer from April fools' day of 1933 when waring the David star was enforced to this community until the end of the second world war in mid 1945.

As a Christian I was surprised to discover that the trauma resulting from the horrifying murders is so deep in the Jewish community that, for most, its members if they do know about the holocaust, actually don't have a real view of it. Naturally the massive and sadistic aggresion against the Jewish people screens, in this book, the fate of the ones who shared their fate for having protected them or for having fought the Nazis.
After all Jewish people suffered between two third and three quarter of the enormous human non-military losses under surrealistically inhuman conditions.

This book should be handled with the respect normally due to religious books: it represents the steps of the martyrdom of the Jewish families under Nazi madness.

The content of the book should be remembered in details by every western culture including Israel's right wing (after all "Nazi" represents the danger of mixing nationalism and socialism...) Americans should learn from this book that being more powerful doesn't mean being better. Europeans could find in it how non elected "public servants" laugh at democratically elected representatives (elected ones disappear over the time, bureaucrats remain and never have to respond for diffused results).

For the content of this book to be fully meaningful, it should be enlightened by Milgram's explanation of how "Obedience to authority" made it possible for these horror to happen.

A major book which supplies everything Jewish and non Jewish need to know. A reedition with a lot of proper photographs of the murders by the Einsatzgruppen, of the Gettos and of the concentration camps conditions would be welcome.

Tells the story of the background of the two men. A very interesting and very informative book. Was not expecting much when I got it, but it turned into a fascinating and well-written history lesson.

I read this book because I found Lukacs's *Five Days in London: May 1940* so compelling. I was not disappointed, and recommend *The Duel* enthusiastically and without hesitation. Lukacs's way of writing history is wonderfully magisterial. Especially to be appreciated are two complementary gifts: an eye for small significant details and their patterns (as when Hitler's and Churchill's ways of getting up in the morning are contrasted), and a grasp of the big picture (really an asset when something as colossal as the Second World War is under examination). Lukacs's mind is at once a microscope and -- not a telescope (which is really only a microscope aimed at a large distant object instead of a close small one), but, if you will -- a *macroscope*. The result of their combination here is a history rich with significant detail and sweeping visions.

Prospective readers should be aware that Lukacs is more than a conventional historian narrating the past. He is also a philosophical historian -- not in the sense that he discusses theories of historiography, but in that for him, history has meaning, and is not merely one damned thing after another. Your appreciation of *The Duel* will inevitably be affected by the degree to which you find his ruminations insightful or ponderous. Philosophical history is not for everyone. Some readers might even be put off by being told that "we are all national socialists now." (p. 223) But if you have the taste for it, as I do, you'll find much food for thought here, and even some wisdom.

The volume is well edited, though I, for one, would prefer genuine footnotes to the hard-to-decipher endnotes found here. Lukacs writes with incisiveness and wit. The volume includes an interesting bibliographical essay of some interest.

I had the pleasure of reading the short, succinct, well-written history, 5-Days in London, by Lukacs, just last week. Great book, but lacked some "context" of what was going on around the main characters at the time. Even though I am a history buff. Fortunately, Lukacs previously wrote The Duel, which gives an idea of the interplay of that year between Hitler & Churchill. Lukacs really puts you right into the minds of these two individuals, in that year & earlier, and is extraordinarily successful in making you understand what "set of facts" each had before him, what "set of principles" each operated with, to make decisions in a stressful time. Read this.

Grosz created a gallery of archetypes representing the corrupt underbelly of post-World War I Germany. His wit is biting, his imagery striking, his vision acute, as he examines the results of an insane, lost war and a draconian peace imposed by victors intent on punishing rather than reconstructing an enemy who might have been turned toward more democratic ways by understanding rather than retribution. We are caught up in the demoralization he portrays with the poignant knowledge that a far greater corruption of Germany and of Europe, generally,would be created by a later Nazi regime which brilliantly exploited the moral degeneracy we see in this masterpiece of social criticism.

Grosz shows us the complex nature of the human being. In a book full of prostitutes, nazis, animals and more you will discover the great "line" and "style" of a german master.

Grosz shows us the complex nature of the human being. In a book full of prostitutes, nazis, animals and more you will discover the great "line" and "style" of a german master.

I consider this a "must read" for anyone interested in great women in history. The spiritual insights, life story, and heroic sacrifices of this brilliant woman, who was both a Jew and a Carmellite nun are amazing. Look closely at the cover art, as my interpretation was that Edith Stein possessed the "ear of God." The only complaint I have is the print was far too small. If it comes in a large print edition, you might be wise to order it. My eyesight is fairly normal.

Edith Stien was a Jew who in the 1920's of Germany converted to Catholicism and then became a nun much to the dismay of her orthodox mother. Those who are have heard of Edith Stien know that ultimately she was martyred in Auschwitz because of her outspokenness against the Nazi's as well as the fact that the Catholic Church in occupied Holland was the only large church organization willing to preach against the nazi regeim.

What must people don't know about Edith Stien was what an incredibly couragous and brillant woman she was even long before she was martyred. As this book tells the story , often in her own words and in the words of those that were close to her, she was a college professer, philosopher, and political activist at a time when a professional woman was at best a grade school teacher or nurse. Even as a nun she worked on her philosophy and her writing.

Waltraud Herbstrith does an excellent job portraying the complete Edith Stien, Her faith Her family and her intellect. An excellent book.

This book is an excellent introduction to the life and thought of Edith Stein (St. Theresa Benedicta). Waltraud Herbstrith presents a biography that encompases the philosophical, spiritual, and personal aspects of her subject with great care. I came away from this book with a true appreciation for Edith Stein, in particular her writings on women and her deep love of God.

I've had this book for years and there simply isn't anything better if you are interested in the technical details. Each variant is fleshed out with all the technical details and plenty of photos, as well as production numbers.

There is an allied (US/UK) version by the same authors, but without the same level of detail.

This is the best photo encyclopedia of German WWII armor I have ever purchased. Great photos, information, and organization.

The Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War II covers virtually every combatvehicle produced by Germany from 1929 through 1945. At least 90% of the vehicles are depicted in either photographs (most common) or drawings (for prototypical vehicles).

As a builder of 1/35th scale armor, this book provides an excellent ready reference. An emphasis is placed on the vital statistics of each vehicle including (but not limited to): the number produced, the various designations of the vehicle, the engine, range, armament, ammunition carried, and armor angle and thinckness.

Each mark (or Ausfurung) of each vehicle has its own entry, for example, the Panther is split into entries for the Ausf. D, Ausf. A, Ausf. G, and even the Ausf. F (with the Jagdpanther and Bergenpanther being separate as well). Differences between the models are detailed as well.

While the photographs in this book are not comprehensive enough from which to accurize a kit, the text does not unique features of each vehicle (which can be, in turn, looked for in other photographs).

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interesed in World War II armor, especially anyone who builds armor models.

Mr. Ottenheimer has written an extremely insightful book about the events leading directly up to the Holocaust, the Allies drive to push Nazism out of Europe at the end of the war, and the restoration of normalcy in Europe after the war - all events that the author experienced first hand. The book also reflects upon how this era is addressed in the schools and teachings in Germany today and even parallels events of that era to world politics in our era. This book is extremely well-written and easy to read. I strongly recommend it for anyone interested in history.

WWII is an interesting but sad topic. Many books have been written about it. This, Mr. Ottenheimer's book, is a combination of most of them. As a native of Konstanz, Germany, he gives us very accurate information about the living condition before and during the coming crisis. He could escape to the USA shortly before Germany invaded Poland. Later he returned as a member of the US Army. This gives him the unique possibility to see the war from both sides. He wrote about everything you could imagine: Life in pre-war-Germany, war-refugees in the USA, military training, military engagement in Europe and even about his relation with people from the old continent. Living in Switzerland (I just got 20), very close to Konstanz, it was very interesting to read about that nearby town. Too many things have never been said. I would recommend that book to everyone to read for it is unlike any other auto-biography. It reads so easily like a novel (not too difficult for foreign speakers neither). You hardly can put it away, it is so captivating.

Escape and Return is the memoir of a life defined by the tragic, great force of World War II and the Holocaust. Written in a direct, chronological style, Fritz Ottenheimer's story takes you through a dark period in human history while taking you through his own life; a life filled with the tragedy of families and communities decimated, but also with triumphs, love and, yes, laughter. While not attempting to be an exhaustive study of WW II or the Holocaust, Mr. Ottenheimer's book has plenty of direct, first-hand information on everything from pre-war life in small German towns, to his own personal experience as a U.S. soldier assigned to Germany at the moment of Nazi defeat;the irony of his return a mere 6 years after fleeing Hitler and setting to the job of "de-Nazification" of his prior homeland is a riveting and deeply moving story.

While the title of the book is Escape and Return, there are actually more "returns" in later years as Fritz Ottenheimer returned on his own personal journey to the town and land of his birth,where he was welcomed back and invited to tell his story to a new generation as well as his ongoing efforts for personal reconciliation. This book,(which has also been published in Germany) reads like an oral history, suitable for adults and teens(paired with the Ann Frank story as supplemental readings for WWII history) who want to learn more about this "black hole of history." (Ottenheimer's words.)

I have been interested in the German Revolution of 1919 ,after I incidentlly read Watt's superb "The king's depart".Though there are more detailed works, I picked up this one ,for I know the readibility of Haffner's work. I eagerly absorb myself to this book. It conveys unique and interesting look on the failed revolution . Haffner, who was a mere child ,but old enough remember the atmosphere of the defeated Germany and turbulent aftermath, lively described what really happened and why the revolution that could change the direction of Germany miserably failed in the end. According to Haffner , it derived from the miserable( or brilliant) SPD leadership that did not want revolution at all. Retrospectively,Haffner sees the omen of dreadful and nightmarish Nazi period from vacillating and indecisive leadership of SPD.I don't agree with the author that German Revolution could ever be successful ,had SPD leaders been determinant enough,nevertheless it's interesting read that give readers truism ,but fresh aspect on this turbulent period in the modern German history.

In German this book about the revolution of 1918/19 is called 'The Betrayal'. Yes, Germans can make revolutions and they don't buy platform tickets. It seems that everything I learned in (West German) school about that revolution was wrong. These people were as peaceful and idealistic as the East Germans in 1989/90. It wasn't a communist revolution either (as East German textbooks always told), most of its participants were from the traditional social democratic milieu and had no radical aims. They only wanted to install and keep these sowjets at least for a while in order to have control on public service and on the army officers which they thought were counter-revolutionary - in fact they really were. On the other hand they also wanted a parliament and a democratic government. No dictatorship of the proletariat. The betrayal: It was (their own?) social democratic government (Ebert, Noske) which prosecuted the revolution movement with brute force. Extremely right wing para forces were their instrument. It seems that Noske also gave the order to kill Luxemburg and Liebknecht. This book is definitively worth of a reprint in English.

Sebastian Haffner offers us compellingly his vision of the German Revolution of 1918-9.
His conclusion is straightforward: the Revolution was betrayed by the leaders of the Social Democratic Party (Friedrich Ebert, Gustav Noske, Philipp Scheidemann), who lacked the vision and the will to turn the Revolution into a mass democracy after the breakdown of the German empire.
On the contrary, they provoked a deadly division of the left, when Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg founded the Spartakus Bund in order to install a democracy of councils.
Ebert killed the revolution with paramilitary troops which became the basis of Hitler's SA.
Sebastian Haffner sees in the failure of the SPD leadership in 1919 an omen of things to come in Germany in 1933, when a desperately divided left together with the other democratic parties handed the power over to Hitler without the sligthest struggle.
This book contains also an excellent analysis of the political situation in Germany during and just after WW I when general Ludendorff acted as the strong man.
Sebastian Haffner presents history as a drama with its villains, conspirators, bystanders and victims.
His book is a model historical tale and should be an example (like the books of William Manchester) for all historians, because it shows magnificently how to turn historical events into a fascinating read.