The Night of the Long Knives: Forty-Eight Hours That Changed the History of the World

by Paul R. Maracin

The author offers a chilling chronicle of the crucial event in the rise of Adolf Hitler, the burning of the Reichstag and the subsequent purge of rivals within his own organization and throughout Germany--a chain of events that left thousands dead throughout the country and signaled Hitler's rise to dictatorial power.

Genres: History, World War II, War, Nonfiction

225 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2004

Reviews

[IAMLEGION · Rating 5 out of 5]

A more succinct understand of the years between 1920 - 1945 of Hitler would be hard to find. Mr Maracin has filtered out much of the historical minutia belabored by other historians of Nazi Germany during this period and given us a quick 209 page read for those with a mild passing interest on how this to barbarism came to be. Complete with full photos of accomplices and some victims of that weekend in 1934.

[Brett C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Get the backstory on the rise of the National Socialist Party (Nazi Party) as they cleansed and purged their own. Hitler's rise to power was solidified during this historical event. Not very heavy nor detail-orientated. I would say its like a lengthy Wikipedia article. But still, worth a read.

[Hannah Knoop · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think the authors purpose to writing this book is to show that it isn't easy to go through this, so lets not go through this major part of history again. I think the author also tries to tell us in the book that what was in the past should stay in the past, not bring it up later in life.

I think the theme of this book is to only live day by day, not trying to think ahead of yourself. You can only plan for what you are going to live up to. I think its main saying that is trying to be said is is that anything could happen and anything could change in a blink of an eye.

I think the style of this book is description. I think this is effective also. I think the style of this book is a description because they used a main place, time, and event. They made you feel like you were there with each person experiencing their life through the thick and thin. I think it's effective because, the book doesn't just tell you about what happened. They actually talk about all different people that were involved with Paul and they show you pictures of what these people looked like and what their surroundings look like.

I thought this book was pretty good but it did get boring around the middle of the book because it felt like they just drug it out. I liked that they showed pictures of who these people were. The only thing I dislike was that it got drug out and I wouldn't change anything. This book is not similar to something I've read just because I've never liked non fiction but this has changed my thought about non fiction.

[Paulo Teixeira · Rating 3 out of 5]

(PT) Este é um livro que fala sobre os eventos que aconteceram entre os dias 30 de junho e 2 de julho de 1934, quando Adolf Hitler decidiu fazer uma purga dentro da hierarquia nazi, eliminando os seus maiores rivais ao poder, nomeadamente Ernst Rohm, o líder das SA, as tropas de assalto, e - menos conhecido, mas também importante - Georg Strasser, lider da fação socialista do Partido Nazi, que era visto como uma ameaça pelos industrialistas. De uma certa forma, isto acontece por uma série de fatores. Não só foi um pretexto para eliminar rivais dentro do Partido Nacional-Socialista, o NSDAP, como também serviu para consolidar o poder na Alemanha e mostrar que era um líder implacável e que não hesitaria em eliminar quem se opusesse a ele.

Não é um livro extraordinário, mas cumpre o seu papel. Para mim, o mais interessante é a figura dos irmãos Strasser, Otto e Georg, com este último a ser oferecido o cargo de vice-chanceler no outono de 1932, com o objetivo declarado de dividir o Partido Nazi. Na realidade, o que fez foi isolá-lo da hierarquia e fazê-lo um homem marcado. E como certas pessoas, como Franz von Papen, Otto Strasser ou Rudolf Diels, o primeiro chefe da Gestapo, foram protegidas ou escaparam da morte, algo que muitos outros não conseguiram.

Interessante, para conhecer um pouco o que foi a história de um período sombrio da Alemanha.

[Jeremy Lucas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two early criticisms are necessary. First, the subtitle runs contrary to the title ("night" vs "48 hours") while the vast majority of this book covers far more "nights" and "hours" that preceded or came after the title's implication. But second, it's a poorly written account, with summaries that make sense and follow evidence, yes, yet feel forced, almost cliched in their narration. What makes this a worthy read, still, is its peculiar relevance in the modern world of 2025, a book written, published, and forgotten by 2005, long before the rise of extreme authoritarians all over the globe, including the United States, criminal leaders steeped in blatant corruption and an open willingness to intimidate political opponents and their families, with the open support of independent (albeit disorganized) militias who aren't quite up to the level of the SS, but whose violent or threatening actions, even at random, have made democratic governance grind to a halt, paving the way for a common fear, that free and fair elections may not survive the "long knives" of those we've put in power by our votes.

[Jennifer Pritchett · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first half of the book is a series of biographical sketches of Hitler’s inner circle. This, Part One, is strewn with ham-handed, armchair psychoanalysis. Part Two focuses on the details of Hitler’s murderous orgy- cementing his absolute control over the German State- Laying foundation for the Holocaust. Knowing how this genocidal dictator came to absolute power seems an important lesson for folk determined not to let history repeat. #WWII

[hannah pachet · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a super succinct summary of hitler’s rise to dictatorship in germany, as well as the key nazis who were by his side. it revolves around the theme of the night of the long knives and what that massacre meant for both the future of hitler’s power, and the future of the world.

it read really easily, and the sections were divided up so that it progressed very logically while still sticking to it’s major theme. read it for a paper for school unfortunately, but at least it’ll be useful!

[Erdem Karaadam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A subjective anti-nazi book. May include some exeggerations and creative writing, as the book both concedes that there are no evidences on some events that took place, but gives vivid and gruesome details nevertheless. Overall, still a great book, and gives the perspective of how a dictator devises ways to overthrow democtaric institutions. Everyone who feels similar things can happen again must read and learn!

[Μαρία · Rating 4 out of 5]

Πώς ένας επίδοξος καλλιτέχνης, μερικές φορές άστεγος, χαμένος στην αποτυχία, κατάφερε να αναλάβει την εξουσία στη Γερμανία; Στην ουσία πρόκειται για τη συνοπτική περιγραφή της ανόδου του Χίτλερ στην εξουσία, ξεκινώντας από τα πρώτα χρόνια της ζωής του μέχρι το τέλος, με επίκεντρο το γεγονός στο οποίο βασίζεται ο τίτλος. Αναλύει λεπτομερώς τους διάφορους κύριους χαρακτήρες/εγκληματίες των Ναζί και πώς ωφελήθηκαν ή καταστράφηκαν από τον Χίτλερ και τα διεστραμμένα όνειρά του.

[Kevin Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A interesting look into the people who were in charge of the 3rd Reich. I liked the way the Author introduced each of the main people and explained what their roll in this murderess 48 hours was. It also was refreshing to read about what happened to them in the end as well. Most times you do not get that in the same book.

[Pedro · Rating 4 out of 5]

well this a rather interesting book, a mix of biography and count of events, and it is a good read whit a few problem's.
the two parts of the book are distinct and must as so be viewed separately: the first is an account on the biography and relationship of the people involved in the action, it's short and well done, leaving only small details that my come up if you want to know more. the second part is an account of the massacre and the aftermath on what went on, and although is fairly easy to understand and it's complete, the constant moral judging and especially a part about what could be different are a problem to me. I don't have a problem whit historians trying to put up there opinions, but Paul in is book can be rather preachy about something that you can plainly see it was very awful, but this will not have a major impact on the reading and learning.


um livro bastante interessante, diria que é uma mistura de biografia com narrativa histórica, que é um bom livro no final, mas com os seus problemas.
existindo duas partes no livro, será melhor analisar as duas em separado: a primeira é uma nota biográfica sobre os intervenientes, bastante bem escrita, detalhando as relações de quem esteve envolvido na acção e apesar do seu diminuto tamanho apenas são ocupados detalhes mais relevantes a investigações aprofundadas. a segunda parte é mais descritiva, sendo sobre o massacre e o seu resultado, e apesar de simples e acessível o excesso de análise moral do autor e a "história alternativa" são algo problemáticas. eu não tenho um problema com historiadores com opinião, apenas acho que tribunais morais excessivos são contraproducentes, embora não matem essencial da aprendizagem.

[Sophie Achilles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many people around the world know about the World War II, and in particular the Holocaust. In the Night of Long Knives author Paul Marcin writes about Operation Kolibri, also known as the "Flight of the Hummingbird," which was launched on June 30,1934 and gave a glimpse of what was to come for Europe during World War II. This book reveals the details of anyone on Hitler's "hit list" including friends, workers, and allies that helped him rise from a nobody to chancellor of Germany, being executed between June 30- July 2 because of their impending threat to Hitler's success.

June 30, 1934 began at 4 A.M when Hitler arrived in Münich immediately arresting his armies' chief of staff, Ernest Röhm, and soon after giving the Gestapo the ok to begin the massacre. That day more than 150 leaders from Hitler's opposing army were arrested and later killed, and one by one names of the list were crossed off. More leaders and troops that Hitler saw as a threat to him, or anyone helping them were arrested and killed over the course of three days. For a period of time phone lines were shut down, as well as other forms of communication, but the people in Germany still never knew what was going on behind closed doors. These 3 days have been overlooked due to the severity of Hitler's massacre throughout Europe during his rule, but June 30, 1934 was truly the beginning of the end for most of Germany.

[Doug Birlingmair]

Startling parallels of America today, from the Occupy Wall Street Movement, the black panther leader intimidating people at the poles, the voter fraud where voters are rounded up and given cigarettes to go vote, the suspension of the House rules for passing Obamacare without a vote using a budget reconciliation rule, the printing and subsequent devaluation of US currency. Chilling to read this book and to witness it happening right here, right now.l

[Sebastian Sandino · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es un buen resumen del círculo de Hitler y describe muy bien los sucesos de la purga en las SA

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good book. History of the 48 hours in 1934 when Hitler consolidated his power by killing an estimated 1000 people.

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book that shed light on the beginning of the 3rd reich.

[Adamo Colombo · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Evil lives forever." Spanish proverb

[Kevin Q · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best research I've found on the rise to power of German fascist leaders. Especially burning of reichstag. This was first time I encountered a photo of Van der lubbe at trial.

[Ricardo Moreira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conteúdo bom, mas nota-se uma falta de cuidado na revisão, pelo menos na versão portuguesa, aparecendo muitas datas claramente erradas (uma delas até como sendo já deste século!).

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good follow up to the current book "In the Garden of Beasts".