Hitler and Nazi Germany: A History

Hitler and Nazi Germany: A History is a brief but comprehensive survey of the Third Reich based on current research findings that provides a balanced approach to the study of Hitler’s role in the history of the Third Reich.

The book considers the economic, social, and political forces that made possible the rise and development of Nazism; the institutional, cultural, and social life of the Third Reich; World War II; and the Holocaust. World War II and the Holocaust are presented as logical outcomes of the ideology of Hitler and the Nazi movement. This new edition contains more information on the Kaiserreich (Imperial Germany), as well as Nazi complicity in the Reichstag Fire and increased discussion of consent and dissent during the Nazi attempt to create the ideal Volksgemeinschaft (people’s community). It takes a greater focus on the experiences of ordinary bystanders, perpetrators, and victims throughout the text, includes more discussion of race and space, and the final chapter has been completely revised. Fully updated, the book ensures that students gain a complete and thorough picture of the period and issues.

Supported by maps, images, and thoroughly updated bibliographies that offer further reading suggestions for students to take their study further, the book offers the perfect overview of Hitler and the Third Reich.

Jackson Spielvogel is associate professor emeritus of history at the Pennsylvania State University, USA. He is the author of Western Civilization (tenth edition, 2018). He is the coauthor (with William Duiker) of World History (ninth edition, 2017) and The Essential World History (ninth edition, 2020).

David Redles received his Ph.D. in history from the Pennsylvania State University and is professor of history at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. He is author of Hitler’s Millennial Reich: Apocalyptic Belief and the Search for Salvation (hardcover: 2005, paperback: 2008).