A groundbreaking history of the Nazi research institute whose work helped lead to the extermination of millionsIn 1935; Heinrich Himmler established a Nazi research institute called The Ahnenerbe; whose mission was to send teams of scholars around the world to search for proof of Ancient Aryan conquests. But history was not their most important focus. Rather; the Ahnenerbe was an essential part of Himmler's master plan for the Final Solution. The findings of the institute were used to convince armies of SS men that they were entitled to slaughter Jews and other groups. And Himmler also hoped to use the research as a blueprint for the breeding of a new Europe in a racially purer mold.The Master Plan is a groundbreaking exposé of the work of German scientists and scholars who allowed their research to be warped to justify extermination; and who directly participated in the slaughter--many of whom resumed their academic positions at war's end. It is based on Heather Pringle's extensive original research; including previously ignored archival material and unpublished photographs; and interviews with living members of the institute and their survivors.A sweeping history told with the drama of fiction; The Master Plan is at once horrifying; transfixing; and monumentally important to our comprehension of how something as unimaginable as the Holocaust could have progressed from fantasy to reality.
#1427901 in Books 2015-12-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.00 x .80 x 7.00l; #File Name: 0786499125268 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good unit history.By Andrew HallmanThis book provides a comprehensive and quite good account of the 1st Georgia Cavalry's wartime expereinces. I enjoyed reading the book and felt it was well worth buying. My criticisms are technical in nature; i.e. from the perspective of an editor. Most notably; many of the topic sentences could be stronger as the text bounces around from a sequence of events involving the regiment to paragraphs on Union activities and "aside" type paragraphs on what 1st Georgia Cavalry soldiers were doing elsewhere at the same time. I wish that the author used more subheadings to help readers realize right away that we're on a new topic. Also; I believe that the text would be enhanced by inserting maps at many points to help readers get a visual perspective of battlefields or other campaign activities.I appreciate the tremendous effort undertaken by Mr Cavender to research the information on all the soldiers who served in the regiment and to collect all of the enclosed photographs. Like many other purchasers of the book; I was going to buy it no matter what because an ancester; my great great grandfather whose name I bear; served in the regiment.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. History Is PersonalBy NAVY JACKI purchased this book because my ancestors served in the First Georgia Cavalry. Thanks to Mr. Cavender's exhaustive research and attention to detail; I now know far more about their service than I did before. To of them returned to the front; far from their home; even after being wounded. I honor them for that dedication to duty. In this era in which the character of these fighting men is being daily impugned even as their history is being erased; books such as this have become far more important. Thank you to Mr. Cavender for writing it. Each of my sons now have a copy - - they; at least; will know the truth.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. After discovering that my 2nd Great Grandfather served in the First Georgia Cavalry I had ...By Jill LibramentoAfter discovering that my 2nd Great Grandfather served in the First Georgia Cavalry I had to know what battles he participated in. To my great relief and delight; I found it all in this book! With the little research I have done I can't imagine the time and effort it took the author to gather the information in this book. The narrative and inclusion of letters and eyewitness accounts is so refreshing after pouring over lists of names and dates. Great book for anyone who had a family member in the First GA Cavalry and anyone interested in Civil War history.
