Hitler’s Willing Executioners by Daniel Jonah Goldhagen argues that ordinary Germans supported and participated in the Holocaust due to a deeply ingrained, extreme form of anti-Semitism in German culture. This theory challenges the widely-held belief that these individuals were indifferent or coerced, asserting instead that eliminationist anti-Semitism was prevalent before and during the Third Reich, influencing many to actively partake in genocide. The book includes graphic descriptions of violence and genocide.

Informative

Dark

Unnerving

Challenging

Mysterious

Reviews & Readership

4.1

5,563 ratings

66%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

13%

Not a fan

Review Roundup

Daniel Jonah Goldhagen's Hitler's Willing Executioners is praised for its thorough research and challenging of conventional narratives about the Holocaust, emphasizing the role of ordinary Germans. However, critics argue it oversimplifies complex historical phenomena and lacks nuance. The book ignites robust debate on historical culpability and moral responsibility.

Who Should Read Hitler's Willing Executioners?

Readers who would appreciate Hitler's Willing Executioners by Daniel Jonah Goldhagen are typically interested in Holocaust studies, the sociology of genocide, and the psychology of mass violence. Comparable titles include Christopher Browning's Ordinary Men and Hannah Arendt's Eichmann in Jerusalem.

4.1

5,563 ratings

66%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

13%

Not a fan

Fun Facts

Hitler's Willing Executioners sparked widespread debate and controversy upon its release in 1996, challenging conventional views on the motivations behind the Holocaust.

Daniel Jonah Goldhagen, the author, based his arguments on extensive primary source research, including a wide range of previously unexplored archival documents from Nazi Germany.

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The book was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award in 1996, highlighting its impact and significance in the fields of history and Holocaust studies.

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Book Details

Pages

622

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Genre

Historical Fiction

•

Jewish Literature