Timothy Snyder gives a fresh account of the Holocaust through the prism of Hitler's worldview. He starts out in the introduction explaining Hitler's reasoning for the extermination of Jews and subsequently creating what he called Lebensraum or "living space" for the Aryan race. Hitler's sick and twisted worldview hinged on science and politics, or rather them being combined into one whole. Hitler viewed science through the prism of politics, and viewed politics through the prism of science. It was precisely this combination of science and politics that fueled Hitler's genocidal quest to dominate the world. According to Snyder, when there is no distinction between science and politics, the state institutions become irrelevant, taking away order, and paving the way for monsters like Hitler to come to power and advance their sick agenda.
Through the prism of Snyder's thesis we can see the motivations of key players during that period. The author masterfully weaves the perspectives of different countries' leaders whether Allied or Axis, and their policies toward Jews. He then explains the reasoning behind their motivations for either collaboration or resistance. Towards the end of the book, Snyder argues that we must not take the lessons of the Holocaust lightly. While we might not see a second Holocaust, the fact that science is dependent on politics is a recipe for disaster whether it is climate change or overpopulation.
Although this book is not dry with historical facts, reading it is hard. It really makes you think about Snyder's point.
Through the prism of Snyder's thesis we can see the motivations of key players during that period. The author masterfully weaves the perspectives of different countries' leaders whether Allied or Axis, and their policies toward Jews. He then explains the reasoning behind their motivations for either collaboration or resistance. Towards the end of the book, Snyder argues that we must not take the lessons of the Holocaust lightly. While we might not see a second Holocaust, the fact that science is dependent on politics is a recipe for disaster whether it is climate change or overpopulation.
Although this book is not dry with historical facts, reading it is hard. It really makes you think about Snyder's point.
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