Backing Hitler

Backing Hitler examines how ordinary German citizens responded to and participated in the Nazi regime from 1933 to 1945. The book draws on extensive research of German newspaper archives and documentation to reveal what information was available to the public during this period. The text explores the role of surveillance, denunciation, and social pressure in maintaining Nazi control over the population. It traces the evolution of public knowledge about concentration camps and the persecution of Jews through contemporary media coverage and civilian reports. Gellately challenges assumptions about German ignorance of Nazi crimes by presenting evidence of widespread civilian awareness and complicity. The research demonstrates how the regime's actions were regularly reported in local and national newspapers throughout the Third Reich period. This historical analysis raises fundamental questions about collective responsibility and the relationship between citizens and authoritarian states. The work contributes to ongoing debates about how modern societies can become participants in systemic violence and repression.

Readers emphasize how the book demonstrates that ordinary Germans knew about Nazi persecution through newspaper coverage and public announcements. Many note the thorough research and extensive use of primary sources, particularly newspaper archives showing how the regime publicized its actions. Readers appreciate: - Clear documentation of public knowledge about concentration camps - Focus on how average citizens participated in denouncing neighbors - Examples of local newspaper coverage about Nazi policies - Photos and documents showing public nature of persecution Common criticisms: - Writing can be dry and academic - Some sections become repetitive - Limited coverage of later war years - Could use more personal accounts from citizens Ratings: Goodreads: 4.13/5 (226 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (58 ratings) Notable reader comment: "Documents how the Nazis didn't really hide what they were doing - they announced it proudly in local papers. Changed my understanding of how much regular Germans knew." - Goodreads reviewer

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📚 Though many believe the Gestapo maintained control through a vast network of spies, they actually relied heavily on ordinary German citizens voluntarily denouncing their neighbors, with some estimates suggesting 80% of their investigations began from civilian tips. 🏛️ Robert Gellately was the first historian to extensively study the local German newspaper coverage during the Nazi era, revealing how openly the regime publicized its persecution of "enemies of the state." ⚖️ The book demonstrates that concentration camps were not hidden from the German public - their existence was regularly reported in local newspapers, particularly in the early years when they mainly housed political prisoners. 🗞️ Through analysis of media records, Gellately shows that the Nazi regime actually became more popular with ordinary Germans as it grew more radical and violent, reaching peak approval around 1938-39. 👥 The research reveals that many Germans supported the regime not despite its brutality, but partially because of it - they viewed harsh measures against perceived outsiders as necessary for maintaining social order and economic stability.