Bill Palmer answers “How can we take this book seriously...”

Niklas Pivic asked this question about Blitzed: Drugs in Nazi Germany:

How can we take this book seriously following this scathing critique? https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/nov/16/blitzed-drugs-in-nazi-germany-by-norman-ohler-review

Bill Palmer There are a couple of valid points in the Evans review. I, too, was confused by Ohler's seemingly contradictory assertions, on the one hand, that Hitl…moreThere are a couple of valid points in the Evans review. I, too, was confused by Ohler's seemingly contradictory assertions, on the one hand, that Hitler retained competent decision making abilities throughout the war, and on the other, that he was completely detached from and indeed willfully sought escape from reality. Regardless of what any of us may say, the two things are inconsistent. And Ohler not only probably overstates his case, but he does do so in sort of a conveniently vague way at certain points. Nevertheless, a scenario in the ballpark of that which Ohler suggests isn't terribly difficult to imagine. Even today we see countless numbers of people becoming addicted, particularly to opioids, on the basis of the presumed validity of a doctor's having prescribed them - "so they must be okay, right?". Mightn't we all simply settle upon a conclusion that the powerful drugs outlined in "Blitzed" probably played a more prominent role in WWII Germany than has generally been recognized?(less)

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