War Against the Weak

War Against the Weak investigates the American eugenics movement of the early 20th century and its connection to Nazi Germany. The book traces how U.S. scientists, lawmakers, and social reformers worked to create a "superior" Nordic race through forced sterilization programs targeting those deemed "unfit." Black draws from over 50,000 documents to reconstruct how American institutions like the Carnegie Institution and Rockefeller Foundation funded and promoted eugenic research and policies. The investigation follows key figures in the movement as they collaborated with German scientists and ultimately influenced Nazi racial hygiene programs. The book demonstrates how scientific concepts were twisted to support racist ideology and social engineering on both sides of the Atlantic. It stands as a warning about how mainstream academic and philanthropic organizations can be complicit in humanitarian crimes under the guise of progress and public health.

Readers praise Black's extensive research and documentation, with many noting the 1,200+ source citations. Multiple reviewers highlight how the book reveals connections between American eugenics programs and Nazi Germany that weren't covered in their history education. Common praise: - Clear writing style makes complex scientific concepts accessible - Detailed accounts of individual victims - Previously unpublished photos and documents Common criticisms: - Some sections become repetitive - A few readers found the writing style dry or academic - Several note it can be emotionally difficult to read Ratings: Goodreads: 4.22/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (240+ ratings) "This book made me angry and sick to my stomach, but it's information everyone should know," wrote one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads review noted: "The research is impeccable but the writing sometimes gets bogged down in details." Some readers mentioned difficulty finding physical copies due to limited printings.

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📚 Author Edwin Black spent four years conducting research for this book, working with more than 50 researchers in 12 countries. 🧬 The American eugenics movement inspired and provided scientific support for Nazi Germany's racial hygiene programs, with regular correspondence between U.S. and German eugenicists. 💰 The Carnegie Institution and Rockefeller Foundation heavily funded eugenics research and programs in the United States during the early 20th century. ⚖️ The book reveals how U.S. Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. wrote the infamous 1927 Buck v. Bell decision, declaring "Three generations of imbeciles are enough" and legally enabling forced sterilization. 🏥 Over 60,000 Americans were forcibly sterilized under U.S. eugenics programs, with some states continuing these practices into the 1970s.