Christmas Under the Swastika
The Nazi calendar had its own set of holidays, including the anniversary of the seizure of power (January 30th), Hitler's birthday (April 20th) and the anniversary of the Beer Hall…
Emmy Göring: First Lady of the Third Reich
In the middle 1930s, Adolf Hitler was romantically involved--inasmuch as he was capable of romantic involvement--with Eva Braun, the former assistant to his court photographer, Heinrich Hoffmann. But Hitler's relationship…
Italy, Judge Thyself
Yet another Amanda Knox trial is almost over. I feel no urge to recapitulate what I think are compelling arguments for her innocence. It was ably done some years ago…
Leaving Nazi Germany
In Summer of Long Knives, Rolf and Klara's main goal--disrupted by the murder of Gretl Hofstengl--is to leave Nazi Germany. Accomplishing this involved clearing a couple of very high hurdles: the…
Any Good German Translators Out There?
Over at the Goodreads Summer of Long Knives discussion thread, my reader Lilo is telling us all about a book called Pfaffenhofen unterm Hakenkreuz (Pfaffenhoffen under the Twisted Cross.), a work of nonfiction by…
RIP Nelson Mandela
When most people in their nineties or older die, survivors reflect on the changes the departed saw over the span of their lives. With Mandela, we reflect on the changes he…
Summer of Long Knives Holiday Buying Guide
Here you'll find a list of gifts perfect for someone who's already bought, read, stolen, or otherwise wrangled a copy of Summer of Long Knives. (Of course, if you haven't read Summer, I…
War For Growth: The Economy of the Third Reich During the Prewar Years
The Nazis came to power at a time of great economic peril in Germany. Unemployment was close to 30%, wages and living standards were in free fall, banks were failing.…
Can Amityville 2: The Possession Be Saved?
The Amityville franchise is a rancid body of work. From the first feature in 1979 to the Michael Bay produced remake in 2005, the series has served up all the…
Do We Still Need Stories About the Nazis?
A negative review of the movie The Book Thief posed the question this way: When I reviewed 12 Years A Slave, which is based on the true story of a free black man who…