The Nazi Elite

by Ronald Smelser, Rainer Zitelmann

Overview

As neo-fascist rumblings are being felt again throughout Europe, it is proper to re-examine the development of the Third Reich and the philosophies of its leaders. The Nazi Elite presents twenty-two biographical sketches of some of the most notorious fascist leaders of the twentieth century: Joseph Goebbels, propagandist extraordinaire; Heinrich Himmler, the director of the infamous SS; Joachim von Ribbentrop, Nazi foreign minister; Rudolf Hess, considered by many to be deputy Fuehrer; Hermann Goerring, Hitler's right- hand man; Martin Bormann; Alfred Rosenberg; Otto Ohlendorf; Ernst Julius Rohm; and many others of the inner circle, including, of course, Adolf Hitler himself.
In a series of highly readable essays, The Nazi Eliteexamines the personalities, histories, and philosophies of these men, dispels common stereotypes, and offers new perspectives. Composed by leading scholars in the U.S. and Europe, many of whom have written definitive full-length biographies on their subjects, these essays shed light on historical controversies, such as the role of modernization during the Third Reich and the basis of Hitler's power as dictator.
The Nazi Elite is illuminating reading for every observer of extremist politics and for anyone interested in the history of our century.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814779507
Publisher:	New York University Press
Publication date:	06/01/1993
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.99(d)

About the Author

Ronald Smelser is Professor of History at the University of Utah and the author of Robert Ley: Hitler's Labor Front Leader.

Rainer Zitelmann is Professor of History at the Freie Universityt and author of Hitler: Selbstverstndis eines Revolutionrs and Adolf Hitler: Eine Politische Biographie.

Table of Contents

Notes on the Contributors - Introduction; R.Smelser & R.Zitelmann - Martin Bormann: Hitler's Secretary; J.von Lang - Richard Walther Darre: The Blood and Soil Ideologue; G.Corni - Gottfried Feder: The Failed Policy-Maker; A.Tyrell - Hans Frank: Party Jurist and Governor General in Poland; C.Klessmann - Joseph Goebbels: The Propagandist; E.Fr hlich - Hermann Goering: Second Man in the Third Reich; A.Kube - Rudolf Hess: Deputy Fuhrer; D.Orlow - Reinhard Heydrich: Security Technocrat; G.Deschner - Heinrich Himmler: National Director of the SS; J.Ackermann - Adolf Hitler: The Fuhrer; R.Zitelmann - Ernst Kaltenbrunner; P.Black - Robert Ley: The Brown Collectivist; R.Smelser - Otto Ohlendorf: Non-Conformist, SS Leader and Economic Official; H.Sowade - Joachim von Ribbentrop: From Wine Merchant to Foreign Minister; W.Michalka - Ernst Julius Rohm: Chief of Staff of the SA and Indispensible Outsider; C.Fischer - Alfred Rosenberg: National Socialism's 'Chief Ideologue'; R.Bollmus - Fritz Sauckel; P.W.Becker - Baldur von Schirach: Student Leader, Hitler Youth Leader, Gauleiter in Vienna; M.Wortmann - Albert Speer: Cultural and Economic Management; J.D lffer - Gregor Strasser: Nazi Party Organiser or Weimar Politician?; U.Kissenkoetter - Otto Strasser: Nationalist Socialism versus National Socialism; P.Moreau - Fritz Todt: From Motorway Builder to Minister of State; F.W.Seidler - Index

Editorial Reviews

In a style accessible to lay readers, scholars from Europe and the US profile 22 prominent figures in the Nazi Party and the National Socialist (NS) regime. In so doing they address some critical issues concerning these leaders, including their social origins, their experiences in WWI, how they came to join the Nazi Party, the role played by ideology in motivating them, their relationship with Hitler and other NS leaders, and their historical importance for the National Socialist German Workers' Party and the NS regime. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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