Fascination with the evil of the Nazi regime has not diminished in the decades since Hitler assumed power in Germany; but the story of internal resistance to Nazism has not been as fully realized as have the innumerable tales of horror. In this compact book Peter Hoffmann examines the growing recognition by some Germans in the 1930s of the malign nature of the Nazi regime; the ways in which these people became involved in the resistance; and the views of those who staked their lives in the struggle against tyranny and murder.The earliest postwar accounts of the resistance by survivors and witnesses were followed by a variety of investigations and evaluations. Peter Hoffrnann here presents a complete reconstruction of this baffling and intriguing story. After several decades of study of the German resistance to Nazism; he has unlocked the secrets of its inner history. Hoffmann recounts the methods of Hitler's rise to power in the tumultuous days of January and February 1933; the consolidation of his power as a result of the Röhm Massacre in 1934; and his growing criminality as evidenced by the rape of Czechoslovakia and the pogrom of 1938. The author describes the several attempts in 1938 and during the war years to dislodge Hitler from within; the desperation of the luckless opponents over the carnage of war and the mass murders that threatened to engulf them; and finally; the attempt to assassinate Hitler on July 20; 1944. Throughout; he probes the motives of the resisters. Some; for example; found it difficult to justify assassination; even for the purpose of bringing an end to mass killing. Hoffmann examines and discounts the accusation that the principal motive of those who resisted was to preserve their class privileges. The resisters; he concludes; acted not so much in the hope of personal gain as from a moral obligation to challenge the evils they saw before them.
#5541183 in Books 2000-04-14Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 1.61 x 6.42 x 9.47l; 1.75 #File Name: 0674081056448 pages
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Academic but partial analysis of LebanonBy Samir KassirThis book by Professor Farid Khazen is a good read and is well-researched. However; it is an attempt to articulate in academic mantle the Right Wing view in the Lebanon War that the Palestinians were largely responsible for the decay of the Lebanese state; supported by radical Arab states and the Soviet Union. Prof Khazen moves then to a meticulous refutation of Lefitst views of the war; denying that sectarian divisions led to the war or that there were legitimate social and economic grievances among the Lebanese (as the leftists were syaing). Despite the length of Prof Khazen's book; I don't find it satisfying as an account of what happened in Lebanon in the period 1967-1976; nor does it cover adequatley the destructive role played by the Lebanese elites in these tragic years.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Realistic history of the war in lebanon.By jeremiah aramExcellent coverage of the war and the breakdown of the Republic.Prof Khazen gives us an outstanding analysis and a welcome anti-Marxist-leftist view of the war.This is a real anti-thesis to the usual broken record and cliches of Pan-Arabists; Fascist Syrians aka SSNP; Commies; 'romantic' Arabist idiots of the Western foreign press (Jonathan Randal; Robert Fisk; Patrick Seal; Thomas Friedman etc); Anti-Catholic 'WASP' coverage;etc.It deserves 10 stars.2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Original and scholarly workBy A CustomerThis well researched; scholarly book on Lebanese politics and society is a welcome contribution to the study of conflict in the Middle East. The subject matter Farid el Khazen deals with is no doubt complex and controversial. But the author presents his arguments in a balanced and convincing way. His novel approach - examining Lebanon in crisis situations in broader regional perspective - is original and lucid. For anyone seeking to know the internal and external causes of the war in Lebanon; this is the book to read.
