The Nemesis of Power: The German Army in Politics 1918-1945

by John Wheeler-Bennett, Richard Overy (introduction)

Sir John W. Wheeler-Bennett tells the story of how the German Army, having survived the disaster of 1918, proceeded to dominate the political life of the German Republic, exercising a virtually paramount degree of power and influence by its very withdrawal from the active arena of politics: and of how, when later it was mistaken enough to play politics instead of controlling them, it began a descent which only ended in abject defeat - militarily, politically and spiritually. The author reveals the extent of the responsibility of the Army for bringing the Nazi regime to power, for tolerating the infamies of that regime once it had attained power, and for not taking the measures - at a time when only the Army could have taken them - to remove it from power. In this second edition a new foreword by Professor Richard Overy sets Wheeler-Bennett's classic text in a modern context.

Genres: History, Germany, World War II, Politics, War

912 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

Sir John Wheeler Wheeler-Bennett GCVO CMG OBE FBA FRSL was a conservative English historian of German and diplomatic history, and the official biographer of King George VI. He was well known in his lifetime, and his interpretation of the role of the German Army influenced a number of British historians.

Reviews

[Shaun Appleby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the definitive, copiously footnoted, historical account of the role of the German Army in the politics of Germany from immediately after the Great War to the 20th July plot in 1944.

The first half of the book is particularly brilliant, comprising a sharp, insider's view of the machinations and alliances which created the Weimar Republic, the constant role of the Army in its affairs of state and a particularly insightful exegesis of the circumstances leading to the rise of Hitler and the establishment of the National Socialist state. I have read many books on this particular period and consider this one essential.

The second half of the book, dealing with the resistance to Hitler within the Wermacht, is equally detailed but potentially marred by omissions of material not supporting the authors views. His positions had led to some controversy within the Foreign Office where he had worked at the time. It is arguable, therefore, that this section of the work is lacking impartiality.

Wheeler-Bennet concerns himself little with events outside the scope of his brief and expects the reader to be familiar with the other political, military and economic influences of the periods he covers. This is a refreshingly sound approach and leaves him free to go into significant detail with his uninterrupted chronological narrative which concentrates on the interactions of the principal actors both within the Army and the German governments of the time.

Highly recommended as a sober and consistent work on this subject. It remains a cornerstone of Third Reich history in English.

[Richard Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is essential to understand the aftermath of the defeat in 1918 and the rise of Hitler. It's absorbing properly written history which is thorough and convincing.

[Mark Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fascinating read for a book printed in 1954. Thoroughly enjoyed the author's intellectual dissection of the German Army's role in politics at the end of WWI to 1933.