I should say that the invaluable worth of this book lies in its accurate history of the German Navy after WWI since Raeder became its head starting in 1928. It is not only a personal history of the famous Grand Admiral, but also the history of the German Navy. Raeder gives us a full picture of the history of the German Navy since the late 19th- Century when he joined the Navy. He especially depicts the rebirth of the German Navy after WWI, which embraces the accounts of how the German Navy suffered after WWI because of the Versailles Treaty, of how after 1933, the German Navy finally got rid of the shackle of the Treaty which led the way of rearming and rebuilding. He details the grand "Z" Plan which was designed to make German the greatest sea-power in the world at the turn of late 40's. He reveals that even before the war, in the study of he possiblilty of war with Britain in the near-future, the Navy had already stipulated its main task was to attack British sea borne commerce not to confront the powerful British fleet in the light of analyzing the outnumbered situation of Navy strength between Britain and Germany which was ten to one. He reviews the background of all the international treaties and events before WWII. He especiallly gives credit to Germany on the Anglo-German Agreement which was concluded on 18th June 1935 both for the rebirth of German Navy and the interational naval disarmament. He recalls how the Navy fought for its own air force which had brought some conflicts between him and German sir force Commander-in Chief Goering who though everything flying belonged to German air force, and who was reluctant to let Navy to have its own air force which could render powerful air cover for the Navy as Royal Navy and American Navy did. He also discloses how the navy tried hard to possess fuel form abroad for reserve before the War. In his book, Raeder describes his happy association with the Imperial Navy Admiralty, such as Tirpitz and Hipper, also the complicated relationship with Hitler: Their common grounds on the affairs of the Navy before and during the war, and their conflicting opinions on the Navy which leading to their finally breaking off during the war. Unlike other auobiography, Raeder tellls us less about his personal life, you even will not read his love story or his wedding. He concentrates only on his Naval life, from Naval school to the Grand Admiral and to the final breaking off with Hitler in 1943, to the vigorously defending German Navy to which he divoted with his whole life and his whole heart for decades and himself who was proved only as a loyal and patriotic soldier in his final battle in the Nuremberg Trial, as well as to the Spandau, the prison where he spent a decade as a so-called "criminal of war" which conviction has been debated in histroical and law academy for decades after the war, and which verdict has been criticized as unjust even among the Allied Navy high level personnel righ after the Trail. This book is full of information which is unknown to readers: It is surprising to know that in 1940 it was Allied who not only planed to violate the Neutrality of Norway, but also actually set the invasion in motion: Only four days head of German if not delayed later for some reason; It is equally surprising to know that for long time after Hitler came to the power, German foreign policy was pro-Britain rather than anti-Britain, even after the War breaking out, Hitler did not want to hurt the pride of British sea-power by restricting German Navy to inflict loss on Roal Navy in order to have the door of negotiating with Britain still opened; It is also not without surprising to know that even during the Nazi Regime both Catholic and Lutheran service still continued unrestricted as before in German Navy; that many Navy personnel still could freely criticize Nazi Regime but be immune from any persecution; it is all the more stunningly surprising to know that during the WWII there were even some Jewish blood Naval officers fighting on German side! Overall, I highly recommend this book because it is a very valuable historical book that any professional historians and history-lovers should not miss.

UNTIL I READ GRAND ADMIRAL RAEDER'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY, "MY LIFE", I TRULY BELIEVED THAT HE AND GRAND ADMIRAL DOENITZ DESERVED THEIR RESPECTIVE LIFE AND 10 YEARS PRISON SENTENCES RECEIVED AT NUREMBURG IN 1946. NOW, I'M NOT SO SURE. I THINK THAT RAEDER WAS A SCAPEGOAT FOR THE RUSSIANS; THEY HAD CAPTURED HIM (ONE OF THE FEW TOP NAZIS THEY DID CAPTURE) AND THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE HE PAID FOR THE GERMAN NAVY. HOWEVER, I HAVEN'T READ ANYTHING IN RAEDER'S STORY TO CONVINCE ME THAT HE WAS ANYTHING BUT WHAT HE CLAIMED TO BE: A LOYAL, PATRIOTIC SAILOR, WHO PERFORMED THE SAME DUTIES AS FLEET ADMIRAL KING, ADMIRALS OF THE FLEET SIR DUDLEY POUND AND SIR ANDREW CUNNINGHAM, AND ADMIRAL YAMAMOTO. THOSE DUTIES WERE TO MAKE CONTINGENCY PLANS IN CASE OF POSSIBLE HOSTILITIES WITH VARIOUS OTHER SEA POWERS, AND CARRY OUT THE ORDERS OF THE GOVERNMENT IN POWER. HOWEVER, THE RUSSIANS WANTED HIS SCALP; ORIGINALLY WANTING HIM SENTENCED TO DEATH, THEY RELUCTANTLY ACCEPTED THE LIFE SENTENCE. PURE AND SIMPLY, RAEDER WAS A GOOD SAILOR, WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN ACQUITTED.

This Book is probaly the best book I have ever read on the cultural history of post WWII Germany. It also raises the question of where was the dissent against Hitler? Amazing in it's scope.

This book is very interesting in it's content. The details in it are a amazing. At first it seems as if you are being besieged by details but then a clearer picture emerges of a group of men who are trying to live out their lives as their culture has laid out for them. The tribulations that they go thorugh as far as personal honor are throughly examined. They are born and bred leaders the best of the best of the german navy but yet they hold back against speaking against Hitler. Rust examines their motives in not speaking up. It was also very interesting to find so much on the German Navy after WWII this is a subject which is hardly ever touched upoun. The question of what happened after is evrpresent on many history readers minds. He examines the lives of the men in their new surroundings and what has happened to them over the years.

The subject says it all. I had to write an A-level coursework essay on Nazi Germany and this book was the most helpful thing I could possbily have had by my side. Thank you Mr Kershaw!

The fourth and latest edition of Ian Kershaw's book discussing the major themes and debates in the historical writing about the Nazi period. Kershaw's book covers the earliest descriptions of the the Nazi state from the 1930's to the present time.
An updated edition including an excellent bibliography.

The second edition of NAZI GERMANY AND WORLD WAR II offers an articulate, balanced, comprehensive, and generously illustrated treatment of the Third Reich from Hitler's birth in 1889 to the Nuremberg Trials in 1945-1946. Although there is no formal division, the organization of the subject matter and the degree of coverage given each topic separate the book into two parts. The first six chapters deal with Hitler's rise to power and how his regime's policies changed German society to the outbreak of war in 1939. The last five chapters detail the war, the Holocaust, and the collapse of the "thousand year Reich." As the title suggests, World War II, which is the logical outcome of Hitler's murderous racial ideology and the central event of Nazi history (and of world history from 1939 to 1945) is given extensive coverage. The heart of the book is a well-told narrative that emphasizes political history and war, but there is enough interpretive and analytical material, as well as coverage of cultural, economic, intellectual, and social topics, to justify the book's description as a comprehensive survey.

The second edition, which incorporates the most current research and suggestions from students, colleagues, reviewers, and other readers, contains an updated bibliography and an extensively revised chapter on the Holocaust, which highlights recent controversial interpretations. Readers will find new material on popular support for and resistance to Hitler's murderous racial policies and greatly expanded coverage of the war, highlighting the unprecedented massacres of combatants and civilians on the Russian front, the deadly bombing of Germany, the Normandy invasion and the Battle of the Bulge, and the final destruction of the Third Reich. Excerpts from primary sources placed in text boxes--authentic, sometimes plaintive, voices from the period, some from well-known figures but more from ordinary people, including children--are a completely new feature of the second edition.

I was encouraged to write a second, and, I hope, improved edition by the unwavering support of the Wadsworth editorial staff and the enthusiastic reception of the first edition by students and other readers. They have reinforced my conviction that the story of Germany's descent into hell under the Hitler regime will always need to be told.

The second edition of NAZI GERMANY AND WORLD WAR II offers an articulate, balanced, comprehensive, and generously illustrated edition of the Third Reich from Hitler's birth in 1889 to the Nuremberg Trials in 1945-1946. The first six chapters deal with Hitler's rise to power and his regime's policies to the outbreak of war in 1939; the last five chapters detail the war and the Holocaust. As the title suggests, World War II, which is the logical outcome of Hitler's racial ideology and the central event of Nazi history (and of world history from 1939 to 1945) is given extensive coverage. The heart of the book is a well-told narrative that emphasizes political history and war, but there is enough interpretative and analytical material, as well as coverage of cultural, economic, intellectual, and social topics, to justify the book's description as a comprehensive survey.

The second edition, which incorporates the most current research and suggestions from students, colleagues, reviewers, and other readers, contains an extensively revised chapter on the Holocaust, highlighting recent controversial interpretations. Readers will find new material on popular support for and resistance to the regime's murderous racial policies and expanded coverage of the war, including the unprecedented massacres of soldiers and civilians on the Russian front,the deadly bombing of Germany, the Normandy invasion, the Battle of the Bulge, and the final destruction of the Third Reich. Excerpts from primary sources placed in text boxes--authentic, sometimes plaintive voices from the period, some from well-known figures but more from ordinary people, including children--are a completely new feature of the second edition.

Students and other readers, whose suggestions and enthusiastic reception of the book, have helped encourage me to write a second, and, I hope, improved edition. They reinforced my conviction that the story of Germany's descent into hell under the Hitler regime will always need to be told.

This large and attractive book tells the story of the 1936 Summer Olympics held in Berlin. Many Americans have heard of them, though their knowledge is limited to the fact that Jesse Owens, an African-American, won four gold medals, humiliating Adolf Hitler. This book tells the story of those Olympics from the choice of venue in 1931, through the rise of Hitler and National Socialism, the Nazi racial policies, the movement to boycott the games, the Olympics themselves, and finally on to the aftermath of the games and the Holocaust. Following the texts are some wonderful appendices on the chronology of the games, statistics on the 1896-1936 Olympics, and a list of nations participating in the 1936 Olympics. But don't stop there! After the index is collection of in-color reproductions of posters and artwork connected with the 1936 Olympics.

This book is absolutely wonderful! It covers everything you ever wanted to know about the 1936 Olympics, and even quite a few things you never would have thought to ask. Although this book is placed under Ages 9-12 category, it is very informative, and a must-read for anyone who wants to understand those games. I highly recommend this book!

The most striking feature about The Nazi Olypmics is the layout. Photos from the Library of Congress, National Holocaust museum, and a variety of personal and corporate collections are nicely arranged. The illustrations emphasize that Nazi propaganda convinced participating countries that the 1936 Olympic Games were going to adhere to the Olympic code and be inclusive of all peoples and faiths. Magazine covers, newspaper headlines, political cartoons, and pictures of segregated Nazi and Jewish sports clubs reinforce the point that Nazi ideology was (and still is) directly opposite the Olympic code, in spite of Hilter's assurances to the contrary.
Occasionally, the graphics take over and result in a two page spread of captioned photos that detract from the text but in most cases, the captions are brief or enclosed in a separate boxed section of information. The writing is clear, but the subject matter is recommended for grades 6 and up. Rachbach places the Olympics in perspective of the political upheaval and the Nazi dictatorship that ensued, rather than relating just a history of the Olympics, or a rundown on record breakers and medallists (these details are included, but always admirably within the historical context).
Rachbach not only focuses on the prejudice in Germany; she also informs the reader of the racism against African-Americans and anti-Semitism on the homefront. The coverage of boycotts (both potential and realized) of athletes and countries is excellent. The author notes the positives that came out of the Olympic games, such as the new record set by Jesse Owens, and the quality of the athletic facilities in Berlin.
Two appendices include a list of locations of the summer games from 1896-1936, and a list of participating countries in the 1936 Berlin games. The chronology, index, and suggestions for further reading were excellent. Although published to capture the audience of the 2000 Games, the 1936 Games are an interesting topic and will be a good resource for students studying the Holocaust who want to go beyond concentration camps and battles, or a tool for teaching about anti-Semitism and other prejudices.

Contrary to the previous review, I think this book is full of excellent examples of how true Christians stood up to Nazi persecution. Many of these were given an opportunity by Nazi authorities to be released from the concentration camps, in return for a declaration to abandon their religion. However, most of those given this chance to escape chose to die with their beliefs rather than compromise. Additionally, there is excellent content on the silence of the Catholic church during the holocaust. This book is well worth the price.

If you are are a so called Christian, and your religion should be one of those covered by the author, with the exception of one, then a deep inward search of ones faith may be in order. Compromise, not Biblical steadfastness to written truth is the order of the day with most of those mentioned in the publication. And what did they compromise on? The absolute major teachings of the Bible, to simply save their compromizing churches. The Nazi's just loved these churches.

The German version of this book, published in 1894, about 108 years ago, was among the first books written about the books of Nietzsche. The photograph on the cover was taken in May, 1882 and a portion of it (as shown on p. 132) appeared in her book with the caption, "Friedrich Nietzsche, formerly professor and now a wandering fugitive" (p. ix), as Nietzsche had described himself in a letter to the third person in the picture in 1879, "referring to the severance from his ten-year position at the University of Basel." (p. ix). These people are all dead now. When she was 20, Lou wrote a poem "To Sorrow" (pp. xlviii-xlix) which praises it as "the pedestal for our soul's greatness." (p. xlix).

Lou reported a conversation about the changes in his life in which Nietzsche raised the question, "When everything has taken its course--where does one run to then?" and told her, "In any case, the circle could be more plausible than a standing still." (p. 32). She described his books as the product of "his last period of creativity, Nietzsche arrived at his mystical teaching of the eternal recurrence: the picture of a circle--eternal change in an eternal recurrence--stands like a wondrous symbol and mysterious cypher over the entrance to his work." (p. 33).

This book does not have an index, and the notes on pages 160-8 merely clarify a few things, such as the date of the letter from Nietzsche to Lou at the beginning of Part III Nietzsche's "System" on page 91 which Lou used without the final comment, "be what you must be." The possibilities might not be considered so great. "In that regard, if the sickliness of man is, so to speak, his normal condition or his specific human nature itself, and if the concepts of falling ill and of development are seen as almost identical, then we will naturally encounter again the already mentioned decadence at the culmination of a long cultural development." (p. 102). The ascetic ideal "is also a third kind of decadence which threatens to make the described illness incurable and threatens the possibility of recovery. And that form of decadence is embodied in a false interpretation of the world, an incorrect perception of life encouraged by that suffering and illness. . . . every kind of intellectualism extols thinking at the expense of life and supports the ideal of `truth' at the expense of a heightened sensation of living." (p. 103). "In respect to Nietzsche's own psychic problem, it is of less interest to determine correctly the historicity of master morality and slave morality than it is to ascertain the fact that in man's evolution he has carried these contrasts, these antitheses, within himself and that he is the consequent sufferer of this conflict of instincts, embodying double valuations." (p. 113). Ultimately, "Nietzsche's thought of the Dionysian orgy as the means for release of the emotions" (p. 127) are considered "the necessary conditions for the creative act out of which one shapes the luminous and godly." (p. 127). Nietzsche and Schopenhauer are tied to "the deeply pessimistic nature of the Greeks because their innermost life, as revealed through the orgiastic, was one of darkness, pain, and chaos." (p. 127). Art is the answer, here. "The highest or the most religious art is the tragic because within it the artist delivers beauty from the terrifying." (p. 128). Modern society can hardly be comprehended without accepting that much of what is popular is produced in the attempt to satisfy that desire for art.

To scholars and admirers of Nietzsche, Lou Andreas-Salome has always been seen as his Irene Adler, the intellectual equal who got way or was driven away, depending on one's point of view. Although their affair lasted for only a few months, it left an indelible mark on both, for it came at a turning point in Nietzsche's life where he would leave the realtively safe nests of academia and the Wagners for a peripatetic life in the Eupopean Alps.

Over the years we have heard from almost everyone who was anyone in Nietzsche's life, except Lou Salome. This makes the published reprint of her 1894 even more important for those involved in Nietzsche studies. To say that Salome brings a unique perspective to her work is a bit of an understatement, but those who simply expect this to be memoir of the man she knew will be, I think, somewhat joyfully disappointed. Instead she has written what well may be the first attempt to view the persona behind the works. After giving us an excellent analysis of Nietzsche's philosophy, she comes to the conclusion that perhaps Nietzsche's madness was the inevitable result of his philosophy. Was this, as Nietzsche's sister said, merely a fantasy of female revenge? Then simply compare the last page of her book with the events of Nietzche's last days in Turin, events which she cannot have known. Hers is a provactive and illuminating look at Nietzsche, made more powerful by the fact that she was first to the gate and that the strength of her book is the analysis, not the memories.

As with any book on Nietzsche that comes to us in a foreign language, translation is most important if we are to have not only a working understanding, but also a deeper understanding than we would ordinarily expect. That the translator should be the late Siegfried Mandel is only to the reader's advantage. His translation is crisp and clear. His excellent introduction makes it all the more clear to me that this man is, or should be at least considered, one of the formost Nietzschean scholars of his time. (For further reference, see his excellent "Nietzsche and the Jews.")

This is a book every serious student of Nietzsche should have in his or her library and a book that may contribute to a new vision of the tortured harbinger of the overman.

This is a great, however brief, look into the life of one of the world's greatest minds. Hayman opens with a fleeting glance at Nietzsche's genealogy before diving into the seemingly bright life of the future philosopher. He cites Nietzsche's pendulum-esque nationalistic devotion prior to his near-death collapse from a horse. He then charts Nietzsche's intellectual progress from the life-altering secondhand bookstore find of Schopenhauer to the later critique of previous idols Wagner, Kant, and Renee. Hayman, however repetitiously (though nonetheless factually), outlines Nietzsche's incessant battle with illness throughout his life. The key to this text is that is does not attempt a definitive stance at the perpetual enigma as to the cause of Nietzsche's demise, but rather outlines possibilities starting from birth until his death. For those unfamiliar with the German titles of Nietzsche's works, it will require a bit of page flipping to the appendix until one grows accustomed to Hayman's methodology. Also, all passages from the philosopher's works are translated by Hayman that, in some cases, are clearer and more concise than the renounced Kaufmann readings. My only complaint is that Hayman didn't spend more pages in his great explication of the philosopher's life. I rate this alongside Monk's biography of Wittgenstein.

This biography is the most accurate and indeed, critical. It dealves into the life and thought of one of the greatest thinkers in Western Europe. Anyone who wishes to have a good introduction into Friedrich Nietzsche should read this book...by all means, read it!!

Whether focusing on the high and mighty she met ,the earth-shaking events she witnessed, the brutal turmoil she survived,Meta Cordy's story is not one just of her own life,but of our whole century. This book seems to cover everything-- from Hitler and the Holocaust,to Hollywood and the Metropolitan Opera House,with lots of world history and even a mention or two of everyday housework thrown in. Whatever or whoever her subjects (and they range widely--from Toscanini to Edward G. Robinson),Cordy manages to convey fresh impressions that make the reader empathize with her as a young refugee adapting to a new life in a new country. I especially enjoyed Cordy's happily coming to terms with the peculiar American custom of the baby shower. Utterly captivating. Not for Johnny Only is,indeed,not for Johnny only--it is for everyone.

In a charming and natural conversational style, the author (once an aspiring opera singer) recounts chapters of her life (growing up in Germany, facing the Hitler years, settling in Paris, New York City and Hollywood) with vivid descriptions of the times and lots of colorful anecdotes about celebrities in the world of arts and letters. Never for a second does Cordy feel sorry for herself as she descibes a life beset with difficulties but lived optimistically and with a gladness in her heart. Lots of inside intelligence on the music world of the '40s and '50s. This is a really pleasant read written by someone who's not famous but who led the kind of life a famous person would have.

which is the german title to this book. We bought a copy in Dinkelsbuhl. This is a retelling of a legend of how the children saved the town from invading swedes (sometime in the middle ages). The illustrations are classic dePaola. The message is to stand up for what is right no matter how much the underdog you are.

Now this is a way nifty book. I got it from the large Catholic family up the street for my eighth birthday and I still have it. Lore is one of those fabuluous precocious kids that are the bane of their second grade teachers. She lives in a little German town called Dinkelsbuhl which is lovely and full of decent folk. Lore has a father who is slightly gruff and overprotective and a cat named Hans. (She also, aparantly, has a sewing basket, but she doesn't seem the sort of girl to use it.) So, that's Lore. The other major player here is The Captain, not named, who goes around burning a pillaging lovely little German villages. Inevitably, these two meet up and the result is one of my favoritest endings ever. It also features gingerbread (I have a personal thing for food in childrens' books) and great pictures by Tomie DePaola. A winner.