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Ency.of the Third Reich
This reference book covers the rise of National Socialism to the fall of the Third Reich in May 1945, and also carries selected entries on the Weimar Republic which proceeded Hitler and on the Bonn Republic which succeeded him.
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 26, 2009
This "encyclopedia" of the Third Reich can be handy for those looking for a quick reference to a particular person or event of National Socialist Germany. Of course, this book is written in your typical biased manner and I believe some of the sources to be dubious.
This book is also missing quite a few characters. There isn't even an entry on Otto Rahn, the SS Obersturmführer who traveled around Europe looking for (and writing about) the Holy Grail. A lot of the occult influences of National Socialism go unmentioned. Despite "the secret King" Karl Maria Wiligut being a spiritual influence (also his Occult rituals) on Himmler, Wiligut is unmentioned in the book. Wiligut was also responsible for designing the elite deaths head (Totenkopfring) ring. Also, don't expect to find any information on Guido von List in this book.
Encyclopedia of the Third Reich is a handy book to have around (that is if you have an interest in the Third Reich), but don't expect a wealth of "new" knowledge contained within this single (just over 400 pages) volume. I believe that is about time a new and eclectic "set" of encyclopedias needs be written and released by someone. These "history" channel style encyclopedias just aren't doing it for me.
This book is also missing quite a few characters. There isn't even an entry on Otto Rahn, the SS Obersturmführer who traveled around Europe looking for (and writing about) the Holy Grail. A lot of the occult influences of National Socialism go unmentioned. Despite "the secret King" Karl Maria Wiligut being a spiritual influence (also his Occult rituals) on Himmler, Wiligut is unmentioned in the book. Wiligut was also responsible for designing the elite deaths head (Totenkopfring) ring. Also, don't expect to find any information on Guido von List in this book.
Encyclopedia of the Third Reich is a handy book to have around (that is if you have an interest in the Third Reich), but don't expect a wealth of "new" knowledge contained within this single (just over 400 pages) volume. I believe that is about time a new and eclectic "set" of encyclopedias needs be written and released by someone. These "history" channel style encyclopedias just aren't doing it for me.
February 22, 2015
The vast sub-industry of publishing print “encyclopedias” on nearly every imaginable topic has long since been demolished by the Internet and Wikipedia, although certain academic publishers, like Gale-Cengage, continue to attempt to simulate it in e-book format. Within that spectrum, this was a fairly useful reference for students or amateur historians interested in World War Two or Nazi Germany, and, at a time when facts were not so readily confirmed as they are today, probably even served as a useful reference for academics to double-check minor details peripheral to their research. Dr. Snyder had been a witness to Hitler’s rise to power, had written extensively about the period since, and was very conscientious in compiling the entire encyclopedia himself. As any good encyclopedia does, it offers a view on the state of knowledge at the time, but does not push any new ideas or conclusions of its own.
Inevitably, there are some errors. For example, I note that the “chronology” at the beginning states that the crematoria at Auschwitz were demolished on November 27, 1943, while Himmler’s order to demolish them takes place a year later, November 26, 1944. He is good about noting the controversies around events like the death of Geli Raubel, the burning of the Reichstag, and the placing of the bomb at the Bürgerbräukeller, however he doesn’t suggest any difficulty with Hermann Rauschning’s claims of “intimacy” with Hitler. That reflects the datedness of the book, however.
The real issue, however, is that in the end, there’s no reason for a print book like this anymore. Checking Wikipedia, I find that in the majority of cases the entries for individuals and organizations are more detailed than what could be compressed into 400 pages here. Where I can’t find direct one-to-one entries, it is usually because Snyder has preserved the German name of something better known under an English label (eg: “Abwehr Polizei” instead of Department E (Counterintelligence) of the Gestapo). Of course, with Wikipedia one cannot be certain of having the level of expertise represented by Dr. Snyder, but one is more likely to find the most current research reflected. If you need something more authoritative, follow the references there, or use an academic database to search for relevant articles.
This book is now mostly a relic of the past, and may be more useful for historiographers studying the 1970s than for people wishing to know more about the Third Reich.
Inevitably, there are some errors. For example, I note that the “chronology” at the beginning states that the crematoria at Auschwitz were demolished on November 27, 1943, while Himmler’s order to demolish them takes place a year later, November 26, 1944. He is good about noting the controversies around events like the death of Geli Raubel, the burning of the Reichstag, and the placing of the bomb at the Bürgerbräukeller, however he doesn’t suggest any difficulty with Hermann Rauschning’s claims of “intimacy” with Hitler. That reflects the datedness of the book, however.
The real issue, however, is that in the end, there’s no reason for a print book like this anymore. Checking Wikipedia, I find that in the majority of cases the entries for individuals and organizations are more detailed than what could be compressed into 400 pages here. Where I can’t find direct one-to-one entries, it is usually because Snyder has preserved the German name of something better known under an English label (eg: “Abwehr Polizei” instead of Department E (Counterintelligence) of the Gestapo). Of course, with Wikipedia one cannot be certain of having the level of expertise represented by Dr. Snyder, but one is more likely to find the most current research reflected. If you need something more authoritative, follow the references there, or use an academic database to search for relevant articles.
This book is now mostly a relic of the past, and may be more useful for historiographers studying the 1970s than for people wishing to know more about the Third Reich.
January 11, 2024
Not really something to be read cover to cover over a period of time the same way you probably wouldn't read the Encyclopedia Brittanica or a dictionary in such a way. Instead, this book, which I have read a good portion of the entries in by now, serves as a decent reference book for those studying the history of Nazi Germany with entries on most notable persons, organisations, concepts, etc. related to Nazi Germany that would come up while reading other books on the topic.
There are some things missing which other reviewers on this platform have pointed out such as certain persons related to the more well-known Nazis, particularly the aides, secretaries, and confidants of people like Himmler, and I have heard mention of the author having a certain bias in favour of Otto Strasser which has led him to make a few dubious claims borrowed from Otto Strasser's writings, namely about the relation of himself and his brother Gregor to Hitler, the circumstances of Gregor's demise, etc. These flaws aside, this book is generally a good reference guide for anyone intending to read more into Nazi history offering some entries that even those relatively well-acquainted might not have been previously aware of and where certain entries might feel a bit lacking, this book can still act as the introductory portal leading the reader to research whatever topic more thoroughly elsewhere.
Generally, a decent companion for those interested in the history of Nazi Germany or World War II but not something to be read on its own.
There are some things missing which other reviewers on this platform have pointed out such as certain persons related to the more well-known Nazis, particularly the aides, secretaries, and confidants of people like Himmler, and I have heard mention of the author having a certain bias in favour of Otto Strasser which has led him to make a few dubious claims borrowed from Otto Strasser's writings, namely about the relation of himself and his brother Gregor to Hitler, the circumstances of Gregor's demise, etc. These flaws aside, this book is generally a good reference guide for anyone intending to read more into Nazi history offering some entries that even those relatively well-acquainted might not have been previously aware of and where certain entries might feel a bit lacking, this book can still act as the introductory portal leading the reader to research whatever topic more thoroughly elsewhere.
Generally, a decent companion for those interested in the history of Nazi Germany or World War II but not something to be read on its own.
June 15, 2014
This is an invaluable reference guide to getting to know who was who in Nazi Germany. For anyone studying Nazi Germany it is a book that is inevitably destined to become well thumbed!
I was recommended this by a friend who has an in depth knowledge of Nazi Germany history. I am very pleased I took up on the recommendation!
I gave four stars only because I have not been able to find an updated print of this book which is a shame. Other than that, this book is a must have on your history bookshelf for students of Nazi Germany history!
I was recommended this by a friend who has an in depth knowledge of Nazi Germany history. I am very pleased I took up on the recommendation!
I gave four stars only because I have not been able to find an updated print of this book which is a shame. Other than that, this book is a must have on your history bookshelf for students of Nazi Germany history!
May 11, 2013
Great synopsis of events, people and things that went into WW2 from the German end. A dictionary of sorts. Well compiled, and informative for one and all.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews