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Ο θάνατος της δημοκρατίας: Η πτώση της Βαϊμάρης και η άνοδος του ναζισμού by Benjamin Carter Hett
mamabearmn's review against another edition
4.0
This book is very thorough, well-researched, and eye-opening. I agree with another reviewer that this has stunning similarities to the last… well, quite a while in the US. The slow consolidation of power, fear mongering, scapegoating, gaslighting, and use of religion - it’s frighteningly familiar. I always tried to stay away from the comparisons to Hitler and Nazis because it felt like such a “conspiracy theory” or like an over-exaggeration. Little did I know…
I think this book is a LOT in terms content, dates, players, etc. so it may be very dry for some, but it is something everyone should take the time to read. Knowledge is our most powerful tool in life, and this book provides just that. I learned more from this book than I did in my K-12 education and even my college course specifically about WWII. That course covered the war itself while this book covers everything that lead to it.
I think this book is a LOT in terms content, dates, players, etc. so it may be very dry for some, but it is something everyone should take the time to read. Knowledge is our most powerful tool in life, and this book provides just that. I learned more from this book than I did in my K-12 education and even my college course specifically about WWII. That course covered the war itself while this book covers everything that lead to it.
sgries's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
5.0
This book is a must read for any American today. The past doesn't repeat, but it rhymes
ilman's review against another edition
4.0
A very good and concise overview of the collapse of the Weimar Republic and Hitler's rise to power in the early 1930s. This book covers political games played by the leading figures at the top of Weimar Republic and, at times, it feels like an episode of House of Cards. It's concerning that the history can repeat itself if we're not careful. This is an important read if you're concerned about the future of democracy or if you want to learn about the beginnings of Hitler's dictatorship in Nazi Germany.
mattlb's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic. Focuses on the key events and people of the Weimar Republic without digressions in a page turning, compact account.
Dispels common conceptions that led to Hitler’s rise, such as depression or reparations, while also focusing on the psyche of the German nation and its post WWI leaders.
Lays out well the Nazi propaganda victories and their rapid rise to prominence through synchronizing their message with rural Protestant voters. Later the book describes the consolidation of power through elimination of the press and rule of law.
The book illustrates the political intrigue and mishandling of the situation by establishment politicians (and at times nazi leaders) and the aftermath well. Some of the results are shockingly ironic.
Most fascinating is the description of the Weimar constitution and its shortfalls, and the dilemmas of preserving rule of law while ineffectually trying to bring the nazi party into a legitimate coalition government to moderate their views and defeat legislative gridlock.
While there are some passages that focus on the terrors faced by individuals, and the specter of horrific violence and genocide is never forgotten, this was not a book that was painful to read because it focuses on the politics of the era before the emergence of mass tragedy.
Incredible as both a historical account and as a description of a state in constitutional crisis. Many of the propaganda positions, rhetoric, and hopes of compromise mentioned will seem alarmingly similar to present day politics.
Dispels common conceptions that led to Hitler’s rise, such as depression or reparations, while also focusing on the psyche of the German nation and its post WWI leaders.
Lays out well the Nazi propaganda victories and their rapid rise to prominence through synchronizing their message with rural Protestant voters. Later the book describes the consolidation of power through elimination of the press and rule of law.
The book illustrates the political intrigue and mishandling of the situation by establishment politicians (and at times nazi leaders) and the aftermath well. Some of the results are shockingly ironic.
Most fascinating is the description of the Weimar constitution and its shortfalls, and the dilemmas of preserving rule of law while ineffectually trying to bring the nazi party into a legitimate coalition government to moderate their views and defeat legislative gridlock.
While there are some passages that focus on the terrors faced by individuals, and the specter of horrific violence and genocide is never forgotten, this was not a book that was painful to read because it focuses on the politics of the era before the emergence of mass tragedy.
Incredible as both a historical account and as a description of a state in constitutional crisis. Many of the propaganda positions, rhetoric, and hopes of compromise mentioned will seem alarmingly similar to present day politics.