Now in paperback at a special value price, the true story of World War II American Red Cross volunteer Andrew Hodges, who traveled behind enemy lines to negotiate the release of 149 Allied prisoners of war. In 1944, hundreds of Allied soldiers were trapped in POW camps in occupied France. The odds of their survival were long. The odds of escaping, even longer. But one man had the courage to fight the odds... An elite British S.A.S. operative on an assassination mission gone wrong. A Jewish New Yorker injured in a Nazi ambush. An eighteen-year-old Gary Cooper lookalike from Mobile, Alabama. These men and hundreds of other soldiers found themselves in the prisoner-of-war camps off the Atlantic coast of occupied France, fighting brutal conditions and unsympathetic captors. But, miraculously, local villagers were able to smuggle out a message from the camp, one that reached the Allies and sparked a remarkable quest by an unlikely—and truly inspiring—hero. Andy Hodges had been excluded from military service due to a lingering shoulder injury from his college-football days. Devastated but determined, Andy refused to sit at home while his fellow Americans risked their lives, so he joined the Red Cross, volunteering for the toughest assignments on the most dangerous battlefields. In the fall of 1944, Andy was tapped for what sounded like a suicide mission: a desperate attempt to aid the Allied POWs in occupied France—alone and unarmed, matching his wits against the Nazi war machine. But, despite the likelihood of failure, Andy did far more than deliver much-needed supplies. By the end of the year, he had negotiated the release of an unprecedented 149 prisoners—leaving no one behind. This is the true story of one man's selflessness, ingenuity, and victory in the face of impossible adversity.
George L. Mosse's extensive analysis of Nazi culture - ground-breaking upon its original publication in 1966 - is now offered to readers of a new generation. Selections from newspapers, novellas, plays, and diaries as well as the public pronouncements of Nazi leaders, churchmen, and professors describe National Socialism in practice and explore what it meant for the average German.
American diplomat George Platt Waller's memoir of his experiences in Luxembourg from 1939-1941 reveals the plight of a small neutral country invaded by Nazi Germany. His vivid account of the response of Luxembourgers to war and occupation and his own efforts to help refugees offers a compelling story of witness and resistance to evil in the Second World War.
When Field Marshall Hermann Goering, Deputy Führer and commander of the Luftwaffe, appeared before the Nuremburg Tribunal in 1946 to answer for his crimes, the world was watching. Much of Europe had directly suffered through the war that he and the Nazi system had brought to the continent, and now he would have to answer for his crimes. On the other hand, Germany was full of Nazis who had been defeated but did not feel any part of the guilt for those terrible events. Would Goering be able to stand up for them, and give them hope for the future? Goering proved to be intelligent and resourceful, a natural leader who dominated the other defendants at the trial and showed no self-doubt at all. The evidence he gave on his own behalf made the unthinkable seem reasonable, the normal reaction of a government and country under threat from outside forces. He denied all knowledge of war crimes, and the crimes against humanity that were now being uncovered. Only cross-examination by American and British prosecutors could force him to admit his complicity, but Goering was far too clever to be pinned down easily. Here, in the actual words spoken by the three adversaries, is the story of the American prosecutor Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson and his British colleague Sir David Maxwell-Fyfe fighting to bring the true story of Goering’s crimes into the light. Using complete court transcripts, with commentaries on each session, this book allows the reader to follow the battle day by day. All three men, and especially Goering, jump from the pages in the words they used seventy years ago. This is Goering from a different angle, seen not through his deeds but as you might see him at a town hall meeting. He is talkative and charismatic, even when on trial for his life and with the ruins of the Third Reich around him. His trial is followed through to the end, and the book has an Epilogue from his fellow defendant Albert Speer. "This very readable book brings together the many strands of the Goering war crimes trial in a way that allows the interested but legally challenged reader to appreciate the hubris and depravity of the Reich's Deputy Führer. The reader is left with the impression that Goering, throughout his trial, believed in the righteousness of the Nazi Cause and was surprised and disappointed in the final outcome. Goering's testimony to the Tribunal is both chilling and a fitting final testimony to the Nazi era." ~ Charles Gillman-Wells
Beginning in the Weimar Republic, Browder's work carefully reconstructs the lives of the men, from the homicide detective to the diverse recruits of the SS Security Service who participated in the birth of the Nazi police state, and gives a vivid account of the origins of Nazi atrocities and the logic that legitimated them.
Operation Pastorius, originally published in 1959 as Eight Spies Against America, recounts the World War II story of the landing by submarine of eight Nazi spies on beaches on Long Island and Florida, equipped with explosives and a large amount of U.S. dollars. Their mission was to disrupt and destroy vital war manufacturing plants located in the Tennessee Valley and elsewhere in the United States. The book's author, and leader of the group that landed in New York, George J. Dasch, provides a first-hand account of his life, the training for the operation in Germany, and his subsequent capture, trial, and years-long, unsuccessful (and somewhat delusional) fight to clear his name.
Imagine, thirty years after the end of World War II, Israeli Nazi-hunters, some of whom lost relatives in the gas chambers of Nazi Germany, find a silent old man deep in the Amazon jungle. He is Adolph Hitler. The narrative that follows is a profound and disturbing exploration of the nature of guilt, vengeance, language, and the power of evil—each undiminished over time. George Steiner's stunning novel, now with a new afterword, will continue to provoke our thinking about Nazi Germany's unforgettable past. "Two readings have convinced me that this is a fiction of extraordinary power and thoughtfulness. . . . [A] remarkable novel."—Bernard Bergonzi, Times Literary Supplement "In this tour de force Mr. Steiner makes his reader re-examine, to whatever conclusions each may choose, a history from which we would prefer to avert our eyes."—Edmund Fuller, Wall Street Journal "Portage largely avoids both the satisfactions of the traditional novel and the horrifying details of Holocaust literature. Instead, Steiner has taken as his model the political imaginings of an Orwell or Koestler. . . . He has produced a philosophic fantasy of remarkable intensity."—Otto Friedrich, Time
Originally published in 1970, Germans and Jews brings together George L. Mosse’s thoughts on a critical time in German history when thinkers on both the left and the right shared a common goal. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, intellectuals across the political spectrum aimed to solve the problems of contemporary society by creating a force that would eliminate both state Marxism and bourgeois society: a “third force” beyond communism and capitalism. This pervasive turn in ideology had profound effects on German history. In Mosse’s reading, left-wing political efforts became increasingly unrelated to reality, while the right finally discovered in fascism the force it had been seeking. This innovative perspective has implications for understanding not only the rise of fascism and Nazism in Germany but also the rise and fall of the New Left in the United States and Europe, which was occurring at the time of Mosse’s writing. A new critical introduction by Sarah Wobick-Segev, research associate at the University of Hamburg, places Mosse’s work in its historical and intellectual contexts and draws lessons for students and scholars today.
Originally published in 1978, Toward the Final Solution was one of the first in-depth studies of the evolution of racism in Europe, from the Age of Enlightenment through the Holocaust and Hitler’s Final Solution. George L. Mosse details how antisemitism and dangerous prejudices have long existed in the European cultural tradition, revealing an appalling and complex history. With the global renewal of extreme, right-wing nationalism, this instrumental work remains as important as ever for understanding how bigotry impacts political, cultural, and intellectual life. This edition of Mosse’s classic book includes a new critical introduction by Christopher R. Browning, author of Ordinary Men: Reserve Police Battalion 101 and the Final Solution in Poland.
In November 1943, George Watt, Flying Fortress gunner, parachuted out of his burning bomber and landed in a village in Nazi-occupied Belgium. The villagers risked their lives to hide him in the field, sneaking him past the German patrols, and bringing him safely to Brussels, where he connected with the Comet Line, the rescue arm of the Belgian resistance. While hiding in "sale houses" in Brussels, Watt had a ringside view of bold acts of defiance by Belgian patriots against the German occupation. From Brussels he traveled by rail past Gestapo control to Bordeaux, rode a bicycle through southern France, and was led by Basque guides along ancient smugglers' trails over the Pyrenees into Spain. Six years earlier. Watt had climbed those same Pyrenees to join the Abraham Lincoln Brigade in the Spanish Civil War against General Franco. Watt's experience in that prelude to World War II adds insight and drama to the story of his escape from Fortress Luropa, his fears of capture heightened by his having been a Lincoln Brigader as well as a Jew. Forty years after the war Watt returned to Belgium to find that the "story of George Watt" had become a legend in the villages of Zele and Flamme, passed on to second and third generations. And in Brussels he heard with grief of the tragic fates of several of the underground comrades who had helped. Whether writing about the war in the skies or the "war within the war" (the resistance movement) or recalling the earlier fighting in Spain, Watt's style is uncompromising and direct. The writing is tilled with suspense and humor, illumined by love and appreciation for its participants. This gripping story of compassion and commitment can be enjoyed for its high adventure alone. For the young, and for students of history, it is also a valuable contribution to understanding the two great antifascist struggles of our century.
Back Cover:Lucie's Hope follows George Mueller's life from a secure childhood in Germany before the Second World War, to his family's persecution by the Nazi Party. George's account chronicles losing both his parents, as well as other family, and surviving with his sister -- first in hiding, then in three brutal concentration camps, including Bergen-Belsen where Anne Frank perished. A long-time Chicago area resident, George returned to Germany and Holland in 2000 to research this book. George's impressions from this return trip are juxtaposed with his war-time memories. Lucie's Hope is an important account of a survivor's Holocaust experiences, as well as a critical historical document. It is also a riveting and ultimately uplifting and inspiring read.
A comprehensive study of the lesser-known organizations that formed the heart of the Nazi police state in World War II Germany. The abbreviation “Nazi,” the acronym “Gestapo,” and the initials “SS” have become resonant elements of our vocabulary. Less known is “SD,” and hardly anyone recognizes the combination “Sipo and SD.” Although Sipo and SD formed the heart of the National Socialist police state, the phrase carries none of the ominous impact that it should. Although no single organization carries full responsibility for the evils of the Third Reich, the SS-police system was the executor of terrorism and “population policy” in the same way the military carried out the Reich’s imperialistic aggression. Within the police state, even the concentration camps could not rival the impact of Sipo and SD. It was the source not only of the “desk murderers” who administered terror and genocide by assigning victims to the camps, but also of the police executives for identification and arrest, and of the command and staff for a major instrument of execution, the Einsatzgruppen. Foundations of the Nazi Police State offers the narrative and analysis of the external struggle that created Sipo and SD. This book is the author’s preface to his discussion of the internal evolution of these organizations in Hitler’s Enforcers: The Gestapo and the SS Security Service in the Nazi Revolution. “A welcome addition to the literature on National Socialist Germany.” —American Historical Review “Sheds new light on Himmler’s role in the complex web of the Nazi police state.” —Publishers Weekly “[The book] makes major changes in our understanding of the structure and functioning of the Nazi police state.” —Canadian Journal of History “This is the first comprehensive study of how the Gestapo and all other detective police came to be united under the Sipo (Security Police) and tied to the SD (The Security Services of the Party and SS).” —Educational Book Review “The work fills an important gap in the literature on the Third Reich.” —TheHistorian
Renowned historian George L. Mosse's landmark work, first published in 1964, explored the ideological foundations of Nazism in Germany and introduced readers to the völkisch ideal--the belief that the German people were united through a transcendental essence. This new edition includes a critical introduction by Steven E. Aschheim.
Review of Adolph Hitler's 'Mein Kampf'" is an essay of George Orwell. "Mein Kampf" ("My Struggle" or "My Fight") is a 1925 autobiographical manifesto by Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler. The work describes the process by which Hitler became antisemitic and outlines his political ideology and future plans for Germany. Volume 1 of "Mein Kampf" was published in 1925 and Volume 2 in 1926. The book was edited first by Emil Maurice, then by Hitler's deputy Rudolf Hess.
The last and most powerful book written by the founder of the American Nazi Party, George Lincoln Rockwell. Taking the philosophical concepts outlined in his earlier book, ""This Time the World,"" Rockwell distilled his political message into a hard-hitting, easy-to-read volume which is guaranteed to leave the reader shaken, despite having first been published in 1966. In 1958, alone and without funds, he hung up the Swastika and founded the first openly National Socialist organization anywhere in the world after the end of the Second World War. Using dramatic street tactics, uniforms and planned publicity stunts, Rockwell soon attracted worldwide attention and a small band of followers across America. Rockwell's highpoint came with a 3,000-strong rally at Marquette Park in Chicago in August 1966. Just as Rockwell seemed to pose a credible political threat, he was assassinated in August 1967, just a few months after this book was first published.
Examine political views, concentration camps, the Jewish resistance, Nuremberg, and more. Students will be challenged by vocabulary, quotes, and critical thinking exercises.
George Topas' moving and probing narrative is an important contribution to Holocaust literature" - Elie Wiesel "The Iron Furnace is a profoundly moving account of faith, love, courage, and endurance. With his direct and deceptively simple style, George Topas convinces us that we're sharing the heartfelt recollections of an old and dear friend. This story - and this decent, unassuming hero - will leave an incredible impression on all readers" - Michael Medved "The Iron Furnace will greatly contribute to the deepening memory of the Holocaust. It reveals the indomitable spirit of those that lived in the world which was destroyed." - Rabbi Marvin Hier, Dean, Simon Wiesenthal Center "A searing tribute to one man's indomitable spirit to outlive his tormentors" - Canadian Jewish News "This chilling memoir effectively reminds us of the inhumanity with which people treated their fellow humans.'' - Library Journal
How could the Holocaust have happened? How can people do such things to other people? Questions such as these have animated discussion of the Holocaust from our earliest awareness of what had happened. These questions have engaged the lay public as well as academics from many different fields. Psychologists have taken an active role in trying to understand and explain the motivation, thinking, and behavior of all those involved in and affected by the Holocaust. The present volume is, in part, an attempt to provide a kind of historical roadmap to the diverse psychological explanations and interpretations that have been developed by psychologists over the last several decades. While many psychological discussions of the Holocaust dismiss or diminish the significance of work that antedates the Milgram obedience experiments in the early 1960s, this book engages some of these earlier formulations in detail. It strives to be, in this sense, a more complete history of psychological thought on the Holocaust. As many psychologists now accept the idea that a comprehensive psychology of the Holocaust must include more than social influence, the book addresses the question, "What, then?" The answer can be found by looking both backward and forward in time. Gordon Allport's 1954 book The Nature of Prejudice remains one of the best psychological attempts to grapple with the Holocaust written, though that was not its primary purpose. In this volume, the reader will find both echoes of Allport and new ideas for ways psychologists can engage this profoundly important subject.
During World War II, Nazi-fascist cultural organizations brought writers, filmmakers, and composers together at international conferences where intellectuals celebrated a nationalist and anti-Semitic vision of European culture and pursued the continent-wide reform of the legal and economic bases of European culture. The Nazi-Fascist New Order for European Culture charts the origins, successes, and collapse of the Axis's pan-European cultural institutions. It analyzes their core ideas, charts their internal rivalries, and reveals the complex dynamic of cooperation and competition between the Germans and the Italians that stood at the heart of the project.--
It is 1939. The Nazi invasion of Poland has started World War II. Three ordinary, decent, young Germans join the elite Nazi force, the SS. Johann Helmuth. a Bavarian farmer's son, does so primarily to please his authoritarian, anti-semitic father, but also out of a vague sense of patriotism and a need to belong to a larger group. Herbert Winkler's father runs a small automobile repair shop in a village in the mountains of the former Austria. The son is a confirmed Nazi, willing to sacrifice his life for the Thousand Year Reich and its glorious Fuhrer. The third, Werner Kohler, comes from a sophisticated and very wealthy Berlin family. He is neither an ideologue nor particularly patriotic, but bored, looking for excitement. The three become friends during the rigorous and demanding SS training that transformed ordinary citizens into members of what became arguably the most potent fighting force in all history. After the German invasion of Russia, they are sent to the eastern front, Johann and Werner in a Waffen-SS division, Herbert in a penal unit. In Russia they experience the monstrosity of modern warfare and the bestiality of the Nazi terror that is unleashed against the local populations and particularly against the Jews. They witness and participate in actions of indescribable horror. Can their background explain their different reactions to these events?
When Erwin Leichter played the Tiger Rag in the sealed-off ghetto, his situation was not for a moment less serious, but he was buoyant with youth. Pinball Games, illustrated by the author, tells a story of survival, sometimes through luck, sometimes by daring action, of a group of Hungarian friends through the darkest days of World War II, and later, as they escape from Communist Hungary to the free world. After a youth marked by golden days on the Danube, the author and many of his classmates are drafted into "the white armbands"- labor battalions of Christian Jews. They jump for their lives from a train bound for the death camps, and eventually make their way back to Budapest to live through the Siege of Budapest, one of the longest and least written about sieges of World War II. With peace come more golden days on the Danube, but they are illusions: Stalin's "Communist Agenda" forces more escapes. The author, his stepmother, and his father, whose business had been among the first private businesses seized in Budapest, successfully navigate land mines and wire fences to reach the West. "There might be difficult days ahead but I knew those years that called forth the greatest effort of my life were over," writes George F. Eber. "At the time of our escape, the term Iron Curtain was rather newly coined. To me it still meant the great metal fire-curtain in the Budapest theatres of my youth. Now the Iron Curtain had fallen behind us on the theatre of the macabre.
In the early days of World War II, author George Dynin and his family escaped from Lodz, Poland, to Vilnius, Lithuania. The Soviets took his father away, and the family embarked upon a treacherous journey. In this memoir, he narrates how they survived by acquiring false documents and becoming Polish aristocrats by changing one letter in their surname. With new identities, Count Jerzy Dunin, his mother (Countess Dunin), and young sister, traveled to Horodyszcze, Belarus. Through many powerful and thought-provoking episodes, Aryan Papers shares stories of those harrowing days, including how Georges mother became a secretary/translator to the mayor of the town, a Nazi collaborator. Mother and son joined the Polish Underground. His mother spied on the Germans and provided information to Jerzy, who passed it on to other members of the Underground, thereby sabotaging the Nazis and saving lives. With stark honesty, Aryan Papers describes, through the eyes of a teenage boy, the lives of his family surviving the atrocities of World War II. It captures and chronicles this period in history and what he and his people endured. It demonstrates how even the worst possible situation can be conquered with hope, determination, and action.
Condemned to death for the bloodbaths of World War II, they served their sentence—on the killing fields of Vietnam. The fascinating, true story of the French Foreign Legion’s Nazi battalion WHAT THEY DID IN WORLD WAS II WAS HITORY’S BLOODIEST NIGHTMARE. The ashes of World War II were still cooling when France went to war in the jungles of Southeast Asia. In that struggle, its frontline troops were the misfits, criminals, and mercenaries of the French Foreign Legion. And among that international army of the desperate and the damned, none were so bloodstained as the fugitive veterans of the German S.S. WHAT THEY DID IN VIETNAM WAS ITS UGLIEST SECRET—UNTIL NOW. Loathed by the French, feared and hated by the Vietnamese, the Germans fought not for patriotism of glory but because fighting for France was better than hanging from its gallows. Here now is the untold story of the killer elite whose discipline, ferocity, and suicidal courage made them the weapon of last resort.
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