The 12-Year Reich : a Social History of Nazi Germany 1933-1945

Description

"In chilling detail, this social history brilliantly demonstrates the awesome power of a brutal government to corrode the human spirit."-- Wall Street Journal "Invaluable for every student of the Nazi era."-- New York Times Book Review The 12-Year Reich , the first comprehensive social study of the Third Reich, shows what the Nazi regime proffered as the "ideal" society and how the German people responded. Along with the violence, corruption, persecution, public extravaganzas, the ever-present Party, and the cult of the Fuhrer, a ghastly imitation of ordinary life went on. How did people talk during the Third Reich? What films could they see? What political jokes did they tell? Did Nazi ranting about the role of women (no make-up, smoking, or dieting) correspond with reality? What was the effect of the regime on family life (where fathers were encouraged to inform on sons, and children on parents)? When the country embraced National Socialism in 1933, how did that acceptance impact the churches, the civil service, farmers, housewives, businessmen, health care, sports, education, "justice," the army, the arts, and the Jews? Using examples that range from the horrifying to the absurd, Grunberger captures vividly the nightmarish texture of the times and reveals how Nazis effectively permeated the everyday lives of German citizens. The result is a brilliant, terrifying glimpse of the people who dwelt along the edges of an abyss-often disappearing into it. Richard Grunberger is the author of Germany 1918-1945, Hitler's SS, and Red Rising in Bavaria. He lives in London. With full table of contents. Cover About the book Title Page Dedication Copyright Contents Acknowledgements 1 Weimar 2 The Third Reich 3 Folk Community: A General Study 4 The Party 5 Ritual and Führer Worship 6 Corruption 7 Denunciation 8 Justice 9 The Civil Service 10 The Army 11 The Land 12 Business 13 The Workers 14 Consumption 15 Health 16 The Family 17 Women 18 Youth 19 Education 20 The Universities 21 Nazi Speech 22 Humour 23 Literature 24 The Theatre 25 The Cinema 26 Press and Radio 27 Music 28 Art 29 Religion 30 The Jews Glossary Suggested Further Reading References Index