Waveland Press - The Nazi Years - A Documentary History by Joachim Remak

The Nazi Years brings together documents that tell the whole essential story of National Socialism, from its obscure ideological beginnings to its seizure of power to the exercise of that power in Germany and abroad—to the bitter end of the Third Reich. Historian Joachim Remak has collected, and has introduced with illuminating commentaries, key letters, speeches, memoirs, political tracts, secret memos and tabulations—written by the actors, victims, or simple witnesses of the time. Here is the fanatical enthusiasm of dedicated Nazis as revealed in their own writings—a catalog of anti-Semitism and propaganda, volkisch idealism and pan-Germanism, ideas of “natural selection” and “race eugenics.” Here too is the history of sincere but ill-fated resistance to Nazism by church people and plain citizens, of the anti-Nazi underground, and of Count von Stauffenberg’s plot to assassinate Hitler. Now available from Waveland Press, these vivid accounts by Germans at every level of society and of every political and moral persuasion provide a shattering view of one of the most terrible, tempestuous periods of modern history.

“Good balance of documents. The length of each piece is appropriate for class discussion.” — Guillaume de Syon, Albright College

“Remak’s selections are wonderful, both in their variety and chronological breadth. They are primary sources selected with an eye to a punch line or ‘a moral to the story’ and therefore are extremely helpful for teaching students who are reluctant to delve into longer versions of primary sources.” — V. Botzenhart-Viche, Westminster College

“The size of the book, as well as the price, make it the perfect supplement—accessible sources in a single volume—to a broad- range textbook.” — Julie D. Freeman, SUNY at Oneonta

“Remak’s collection of Nazi-era documents offers a comprehensive and tangible look at the Third Reich in all its important aspects. Its depth makes it an authoritative source, while its broad scope—encompassing social and cultural facets of Nazism— gives the reader a chilling sense of how powerful Hitler’s appeal was. I recommend it enthusiastically to my colleagues.” — Richard F. Crane, University of Connecticut

“The Nazi Years offers an excellent selection of documents; I especially like the fact that they are grouped thematically, rather than in strict chronological order. The length of the selections also makes this collection appealing, since it provides students with short selections from a wide variety of sources.” — Deirdre C. Weaver, West Texas A & M University

“The book brings together in a short and approachable manner many of the key documents that help students understand the phenomenon of National Socialism.” — Jonathan Wiesen, Southern Illinois University

“I found this volume to be a useful collection of primary materials suitable for an undergraduate population. Many of the short pieces would help the average student place him- or herself into the sensibility of the time, rather than judge from knowledge of what was to come.” — Cynthia Curran, College of St. Benedict

“The most useful documentary collection I’ve seen for teaching the history of the Nazi era. Well-chosen selections—well edited. Good translations with brief, sensible introductions. Bravo!”
— Warren Rosenblum, Webster University

“Remak includes useful selections on occupation policy, eugenics, anti-Semitism, and the resistance to Hitler. His narrative provides unity and coherence. Most of the selections are translated from German sources and are unavailable in English elsewhere.” —Library Journal

1. The Roots
2. The Soil
3. The Program
4. Power
5. The Attractions
6. Propaganda
7. The Churches
8. War
9. Eugenics
10. The Jews
11. Resistance