Since books on the Third Reich are published by the truckload, it would seem almost superfluous that a simple, personal memoir such as Sebastian Haffner's should top best-seller lists. Written after his self-imposed exile from Germany in 1939-40, Defying Hitler examines the rise of the NSDAP from the perspective of an ordinary citizen, detailing the influences of the First World War, the Revolution of 1918-19 and the rise and fall of the Weimar Republic, before final examining the first year of the Nazi regime.

Haffner stresses the fact that he is just an ordinary German citizen, making no attempt to suggest that his opinions and insights are any more important or influential than anyone else's. This, however, goes some way to explaining why the book is not just like any other of the raft of books about the rise of Nazi Germany. The beauty of having an ordinary perspective on events such as this is combined with Haffner's genuinely astute observations on developments in the world around him. It also goes a long way in helping to answer the two key questions which Haffner proposes: how the NSDAP could gain power in Germany, and why there was no reaction against it.

Defying Hitler then is an excellent source, not only for those studying the later Weimar years or the rise of Nazi Germany, but indeed for anyone with an interest in the real, day-to-day history of this period. The book is eminently readable, and flows almost like a novel in its simple descriptions, pauses for elucidation and fascinating narrative. ( )

Spellbinding account of growing up in Germany in the 1930s, written in 1939 by a young German dismayed but attempting to understand why the Nazi's came to power, and how many Ordinary Germans were bullied into going along with the regime to maintain their livelihood. ( )

In this book, actually a diary, the author presents the idea that history is driven by ordinary people, and that analyses of the particular time period in question are best understood by the lives of common individuals rather than leading political figures. Here is an attempt to explain the political/historical developments in Germany from the beginning of the first World War to the beginning of the Second through the eyes of one person. Although Haffner makes some effort in restraining his subjectivity, this is an impossible thing to do. A key revelation for me was that despite his feelings of repugnance for the growing Nationalist Socialist movement, he eventually capitulated by entering the newly formed training camps in order to qualify for his law degree - a scary scenario that hits close to home. We can all identify with rationalizing our decisions to avert personal ruin.

From this account, and from other books I've read as well, one can surmise that the shame and psychological trauma of defeat in WWI played a major role in weakening the German collective psyche and leaving them vulnerable to the temptation of reclaiming glory and self-worth.

The book is a sterling example of harnessing the power of the masses only to turn that power back to control them, a very frightening irony.
National pride, fear of the supposed enemy (terrorists?), and submission to authority are some of the tools used to drive the populace to carry out the wishes of the state. We all should take heed. ( )

Very interesting account from the perspective of a young lawyer in the early years of Nazi Germany. It provides insight into what life was like inside the Third Reich, especially for Jews and the intelligentsia. Although the book does start out a bit slow, it's final chapters are a brilliant description about the power of social psychology to warp and pervert the minds of otherwise intelligent and decent human beings. ( )

Eerie notes on everyday life during the Weimar yrs in Germany... The world has changed since then, and yet to some extent it all seems the same. ( )