German Intellectuals and the Nazi Past

by A. Dirk Moses

This book examines West German intellectual debates about the Nazi past by explaining why they were so relentlessly polarized. Germans argued about the viability of their very was it stigmatized, stained, or polluted by crimes of the Third Reich? Or was it really like any other nation? The book examines how German intellectuals either defended national traditions or condemned them and instead advocated alternative traditions. Although the book proceeds chronologically, it differs from other works, which are event-based narratives, by highlighting this underlying structure of identity and dispute.

Genres: History, European History, Nonfiction, Politics

304 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2007

About the author

A. Dirk Moses is Professor of Global and Colonial History at the European University Institute, Florence. He also taught (or still teaches) European History and comparative genocide Studies at the University of Sydney, Australia.

Reviews

[Theo · Rating 4 out of 5]

really excellent survey of progressive and conservative thought in german politics. doesn’t get too deep into memory studies which is nice for me, much more historical. but what is missing is really thought at the fringes, very little mind is paid to both the more explicitly communist student movement and 1968 in particular. habermas and hennis i guess are monoliths of the period i guess. the chapter about the university and the thought of wilhelm hennis are really standout. there is direct analogy between the university of the 60s and nowadays, with many similar problems. easily recommend for anyone interested in german political thought in context!

[فلاح رحيم · Rating 4 out of 5]

A scholarly detailed investigation of the main issues the German intellectuals of all leanings faced after 1945. I found the book so illuminating for me in understanding the situation in my country Iraq right now. The big question is how could people in such situations keep their respect for their identity while realizing the shame of dictatorship. Depth is not sacrificed in the book's achievement of interesting read.