The German War: A Nation Under Arms, 1939-1945 Review

: Stargardt presents evidence that the Holocaust was an "open secret" among the German public. Many civilians and soldiers were aware of the mass killings and even viewed the Allied bombing of German cities as a form of divine or "Jewish" retribution for these crimes.

The book is noted for its immersive use of personal documents, including: The German War: A Nation Under Arms, 1939-1945 The German War: A Nation Under Arms, 1939-1945

: Unlike standard histories that suggest morale collapsed after the 1943 defeat at Stalingrad, Stargardt argues that these setbacks actually radicalized German society. The existential threat of total defeat spurred a "patriotic defiance" that kept the nation fighting until the very end. : Stargardt presents evidence that the Holocaust was

: While fanatical Nazism played a role, Stargardt emphasizes that basic patriotism and familial bonds were often stronger motivators for "ordinary" Germans to fulfill their duties, even if they harbored personal reservations about the regime. Primary Source Perspective The existential threat of total defeat spurred a