A work of the utmost importance--as authoritative as it is explosive--Hitler's Willing Executioners will fundamentally change our perception of the Holocaust and of Germany in the Nazi period. Goldhagen reaches conclusions that are both uncompromising and savage, rejecting as inadequate the conventional historical explanations for how an entire country could allow the Holocaust to happen, and gives the first detailed, broad-ranging account of the actual killers of the Jews. 31 photos.
In a work that is as authoritative as it is explosive, Goldhagen forces us to revisit and reconsider our understanding of the Holocaust and its perpetrators, demanding a fundamental revision in our thinking of the years between 1933-1945. Drawing principally on materials either unexplored or neglected by previous scholars, Goldhagen marshals new, disquieting primary evidence that explains why, when Hitler conceived of the "final solution" he was able to enlist vast numbers of willing Germans to carry it out. A book sure to provoke new discussion and intense debate.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 3.0 / 5.0
Good idea, poor execution:
Please note: I am compulsive about reading every word in every book I own. However, I could not finish this book for two reasons: 1. The author is difficult to read and he appears to be more interested in impressing his doctorial professors than in clarifying an important subject. Frequently he constructs sentences with 75 to 100 words, sentences that take up an entire page on Kindle. He confused verbosity with intelligence. 2. But more importantly, he never explained or even properly explored why... more info
Unspeakable Collusion Many Would Rather Forgotten:
For an in-depth understanding of antisemitism in prewar Germany, the role it played in the Nazi rise to power and the subsequent genocide of European Jews, this book is a must read. The excuse given by many surviving Germans, that they didn't know about the Nazi extermination program aimed at Jews and other undesirables, was a lie. Mr Godhagen documents the widespread knowledge throughout Germany of the mass killings taking place. Not only is German public knowledge of the mass killings and abuse... more info
This book told me what I knew intutiivly.:
Its an amazing read. from the time I came to know about Holocaust, I was wondering how one individual could have done what he did, no matter how he may have felt about another group. I am convinced there are people like Hitler in our midst today. I am sure there are people like him in many other countries. But the difference is these individuals would not achieve what Hitler did cause they would not get the kind of supporters and willing executioners. A tinderbox atmosphere of antisemitism. I do... more info
Hate for the German people disguised as moral outrage:
My father fought in WWII and he learned all about the German people while over there. They are not the monsters described in this hateful book. Sadly, the author is part of a holocaust industry that seeks to cash in on guilt. There is real money to be made - billions in reparations for "stolen art", billions each year for Israel, and perhaps most important, a total blindness to the crimes of Jews and Israel - yes they are real people with both good and bad, but you wouldn't know that to read this hateful... more info
