The Nazis and the Occult

by Dusty Sklar

Dorset Press, 1989. Reprint. (formerly ISBN 0690012322). 180pp. Index. Hardcover.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics, World War II, Religion

188 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Joe Krakovsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Required reading for anybody studying the Nazi movement. The title is misleading as many will blow it off as being another of the 'tinfoil hat' crowd. The author explains where Hitler got many of his ideas and early training in controlling the masses. The occult played an important part in the Nazi movement though it is downplayed by many today. Brainwashing techniques are explained as well. Check it out if you are a serious student of the history instead of reading a rehash of the same old stuff.

[Scott Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading several books on Nazis and the occult as research for my next series, and so far this is the most informative and factual of the lot. Unlike a lot of books on Nazi occultism that tend to focus on the more sensational and unsubstantiated aspects of this field, Sklar's book focuses on the historical foundations of Nazi occultism, i.e. that many leaders of the Third Reich's penchant for occultism was based in a desire to tap into Germany's pagan roots to discover lost Aryan civilizations whose blood had not been tainted by mixing with outsiders and whose philosophical beliefs had not been watered down by Christianity.

The Nazis and the Occult is not a quick beach read because it is very academic and in depth. However, it is necessary reading if you want to get a good understanding of how occult and pagan ideas influenced the leaders of Nazi Germany.

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Glaring bias, interferes with the quality of information. Has a poor understanding of National Socialism. Doesn’t exactly contribute any new information or perspectives, and many quotes from the sources cited are taken out of context. Does this with the self righteousness and pretentious attitude that would be expected of a (((shoe))). Might be an interesting read if you don’t know anything about occultism and the third Reich. Otherwise it will earn its rightful place in your bathroom.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is an often mentioned condemnation of nazi thought, but there are scant details into the connection of nazis and the occult. This book does much to shed some light on that subject. Hasn't been published in years, it's a hard to find book but worth the effort of the serious student of World War 2 history.

[Michael X · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well researched and fascinating account that reveals the various aspects of Nazism that were influenced by the occult...which seems to be about EVERYTHING.

[Sofia M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pensé que iba a ser mas dark pero tuvo partes interesantes.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read about the Nazi leaders dabbling with the occult.

[Liv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Occultism was an overwhelming force in the era of WWII Germany. It’s a forgotten piece of history, but Skylar presents fact after fact after fact reiterating the rampant occultism amongst Nazis at the time.

How has this been completely whitewashed from history???

This is an essential read for any history buffs, and it hits different viewing it with a biblical worldview.

[Relstuart · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author points out a lot of the popular pagan and occult influences in Germany between the world wars and talks about the friends of Hitler involved in these groups and their influence on him and other high ranking leaders.

While the author covers a broad range of topics the most interesting to me was the discussion of how the Nazis used cult like tactics to recruit and train people. This training was part of the answer of how ordinary people could be trained to do terrible things to people identified as unfit or unworthy. The author also discussed the efforts of cults in the US to recruit and brainwash people and warns of the dangers cults pose.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

News flash: The Nazis were into some weird stuff.

Stuff that wouldn't make the cut at Burning Man.

Written in 1977, this slender volume provides some interesting insight into the various charlatans that abounded in the late 19th century, why their neo-pagan shtick was particularly appealing to Germans, and why Carl Jung had to do some fast talking after the war.

Stumbles a bit at the end, trying to make a case for the Moonies being as dangerous as the Nazis.

(I didn't seek this out, just grabbed it when going through the books of a recently deceased friend. The widow said to take whatever we wanted, so I got some AJ Liebling, Dave Barry, and this.)

[Pranger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hoerbiger, said Hitler, ranked with Ptolemy and Copernicus. His theory that water »is in reality melted ice (instead of ice's being frozen water) . . . amounted to a revolution, and everybody rebelled against« him, proving once again that science grappled »with the spirit of routine.«
Hoerbiger was not accepted by the scientific establishment because »the fact is,« said Hitler, »men do not wish to know.«

[Paganalexandria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this a long time ago. Interesting should probably read again since I've gotten new insight on a lot of things.

[ThatPhonyProphet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Badly written and incoherent - bunny-hops from one topic to the next and often tries to match the unmatchable, but still, it contains some valuable info -i.e. the insight that the Nazis were influenced by Gnosticism sheds some light into the philosophical roots of national socialism.

[Christin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whackadoo. Just for research. Got sick of the weird looks on the subway when I opened this up.