This was a long and intense book.

At times it read more like a text book and a bit boring, and at other times I couldn't stop reading.

The author has clearly done his research, and it shows.

I do think there is more of a target audience to this book, though.

If you are not interested in WWII, the Nazi, or the Holocaust, this book is not for you. This book dives deeper into what, psychologically, happened during the Third Reich, and if you are not already deeply interested or invested in learning about this stuff, you will probably not enjoy this book.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions written are completely honest and my own.

A good historical look on how Hitler rose to power and how he garnered the attendance of so many people. It really explains the ground work that was done in the 1920s that let to him being a leader that was able to convince many that doing evil was the right thing to do.

Really fascinating read that is written in understandable fashion

Is it even possible to "understand" the mind of the Nazis? On at least some level, that is what Laurence Rees has attempted to do with his new book, The Nazi Mind - Twelve Warnings From History.. Others have tried to do so - Rees does it particularly well.

It should be noted up front that Rees acknowledges that there is no single answer to this. Each case, each individual, is unique as are the time, place, and circumstances in which that individual dwells. Likewise, Rees takes pains to point out that to understand is not to excuse - he clearly makes no attempt to excuse the behaviors surrounding Nazi rule and the Holocaust. But Rees goes a long way to help explain - and understand - how this chapter in history occurred.

One of the challenges of studying the Holocaust is the vast amount of material available - it is virtually impossible to take it all in. But Rees has clearly absorbed a great deal of it. There is much here to learn. Taking from both history and psychology, Rees examines what happened and why. He explores the historical record in great detail and brings to light new facts that even a scholar who has studied this material for a number of years may not have uncovered. And he also utilizes a number of psychological studies, some of which are likely to be familiar to the reader and others less likely to be so.

Organized around 12 principles or lessons, Rees covers a lot of ground. Those 12 areas are then summarized at the end as the "warnings" we need to take from his book. It is a short and very frightening ending. The parallels to today are profound. The need to learn from the lessons of history are great. That, of course, is Rees' ultimate goal in writing this book.

It is a compelling study that we all would do well heed.

Look again at the man with a mustache, and ask yourself: How did millions of Germans (not to mention Austrians, Romanians, Hungarians, Italians, Finns, and Spaniards) go to war on his behalf? My brother and I merrily laughed at the man, as he strutted and squawked on the movie screen. His effect on a German audience was quite different: "Hitler begins to speak," wrote Joseph Goebbels in his diary in July 1925. What a voice. What gestures, what passion.... I can barely control myself.... Everyone stands up and shouts, cheers, claps, waves, screams. I am standing outside at the window and cry like a toddler.... I am ready to sacrifice everything for this man." Hitler, Goebbels, Goering, Himmler -- didn't they realize how little they looked like Nordic supermen?

I was a bit put off by the subtitle of The Nazi Mind: Twelve Warnings From History with its echo of Timothy Snyder's On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century. But to his credit, Laurence Rees never mentions the man who now occupies the Oval Office. He's more interested in psychoanalyzing the men of the Third Reich -- a worthy endeavor, even if it comes nearly a century after it should have been done. The book is consistently interesting. The British hardcover is already available; the ebook and audiobook can be ordered now for May 9 delivey.

I was given an advance reading copy (arc) of this book by NetGalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. The Nazi Mind by Laurence Rees is chilling. At first, the text-book style of writing was a big turn off. I came very close to labeling it a ‘DNF’—something I very rarely do. (Hence, the four-star rating instead of five.) As a matter of fact, I anticipated finding a quiz at the end of each chapter, but I just couldn’t put it down. Author Rees reminds us all that democracy is a delicate thing, a very delicate thing that can be crushed and overthrown when a narcistic leader takes over—in this case Adolf Hitler. So how did Hitler win over the people of Germany? Sadly, it was very simple and Rees breaks it all down in just twelve parts:

Spreading Conspiracy Theories – Bend and twist reality to suit their own needs.

Them vs. Us – Divide the world into two parts and use ‘Them’ as a scapegoat.

Leading as a Hero – Identify and portray him/herself as a heroic figure who is the only one qualified to lead.

Corrupting Youth – Target young people who have not yet developed the brain power to think on their own. This way, they can be molded into thinking the way the leader wants them to think. Also, teach them the ‘approved’ version of history, not what really happened. Within a couple of generations, the truth will have been forgotten.

Conniving with the Elite – Dictators are put in power because they have the backing of rich and influential people.

Attacking Human Rights – Eliminate human rights; allow no one to question or disagree with the leader; cripple the justice system and remove any judges who disagree with the leader; abolish the free press along with free speech. And while they are at it, dictators will ‘entertain’ the public to distract them.

Exploiting Faith – Followers have complete faith in their leader who, in their eyes, can do no wrong. Dictators also promise their faithful followers will be richly rewarded.

Valuing Enemies – There is always an enemy and a dictator will convince his followers to band together to vanquish the perceived enemy. When one is eliminated, there will always be another and the leader is the only one who can provide real protection.

Eliminating Resistance – Even if it means the armed forces and/or other branches of government or departments within the government.

Escalating Racism – Target various groups and stir up a frenzied hatred, which (in Hitler’s case) ends up in persecution and then murder.

Killing at a Distance – Hitler realized that killing someone in a gas chamber is much easier on the psyche of the killer than close encounters. When victims are out of sight and there is no personal connection, it is much easier for the killers to eliminate their perceived enemies.

Stoking Fear - Let followers know they are in danger and their leader is the only one who can save them.

How Hitler and his Nazis came to power is terrifying and how people fell in step with them is even scarier. There is something to be learned here and I think this book should be required reading, maybe even with a quiz at the end of each chapter. There was but one positive note, as the author reminds us: Hitler and his Nazis were ultimately defeated. Victory, however, came with an unprecedented, international price all because of one tainted leader and his misguided backers. Now, there is a history lesson we should all pay heed to.

Thank you to NetGalley for this e-copy of The Nazi Mind by Lawrence Rees in exchange for a honest review.This is a very insightful story that examines and breaks down how the Nazis were able to achieve their ends and how Hitler was so successful in deceiving his people into believing lies about the Jews.He was able to get his countrymen to do his dirty work by instilling fear and the principle of an “ us vs them mentality” which his people were quick to believe. especially after their humiliating defeat in WW1. This book offers a time frame from beginning to end of how Hitler slowly and gradually accomplished his goals of mass murder.Very compelling read!

While heavy and, at times, academic in tone, it is a timely reminder of the dangers of unchecked power, groupthink, and “othering.”

Rees tackles complex and chilling questions head-on, such as, "How could the SS commit their crimes?" and "What allowed ordinary Germans to tolerate the atrocities against Jews?" His answers are grounded in historical research and psychological insights. Rees effectively uses testimonies from former Nazis and those shaped by the Nazi system to show how propaganda, obedience, and ideology combined to normalize the unthinkable. The exploration is unsettling, particularly the psychological phenomenon of "killing at a distance," where perpetrators were intentionally distanced from their victims for their own mental preservation.

Rees also sheds light on the commandants of concentration camps, who often displayed not only horrifying efficiency but also enthusiasm in overseeing mass murder only to deny them later. Through this, the reader is led to understand how fanatical loyalty to an “idealized leader” and pervasive fear within the system safeguarded such compliance.

One of the book’s key strengths is its framing of the Nazi regime’s rise and reign through “twelve warnings.” These include an escalation of racism, the exploitation of fear, and the manipulation of institutions to erode human rights. Read the book to learn them all.

While the history and politics of The Nazi Mind are deeply compelling, the writing can feel dry at times, reading more like an academic text. The psychological concepts are accessible but don’t significantly break new ground for those familiar with the subject.

However, for those relatively new to the history of the Third Reich or seeking a deeper grasp of not just what happened, but why, this book is incredibly valuable. Its structure, focusing less on chronological events and more on thematic warnings, helps to contextualize the factors that led to one of humanity’s greatest horrors.

To me, reading about the horrors of the Holocaust is never easy, but as the saying goes, studying history is crucial to avoiding its repetition. The atrocities committed under the Nazi regime remain unparalleled in their scale and cruelty, and books like The Nazi Mind remind us that these events didn’t arise in a vacuum. They were the result of human decisions, manipulations, and beliefs. Revisiting these painful truths is vital for remaining vigilant against similar patterns today.

The Nazi Mind is a thought-provoking combination of history and psychology that will likely stand as a critical resource for anyone questioning how and why such devastation could occur. While it may feel dense and dry, its themes and insights are undeniably relevant and alarming. If you’re interested in the history and politics of World War II, this book will deepen your understanding of how ordinary people can become complicit in extraordinary evil.

We must confront this history—even when it’s uncomfortable—to ensure we don't repeat the same catastrophic mistakes.

Thank you to Netgalley and PublicAffairs for the Advanced Readers Copy of the book. All opinions are my own because I have freedom of speech. Nazi’s would try to control this.

Rees takes the reader on a descent into the intricate thought processes and motivations of those who aspire to create change in a world view that suits and promotes their own ideological motivations - regardless of what that may leave in its wake.

The parallels, though nowhere near the atrocities that we're committed by the Nazis, to a lot of the visceral division in today's political climate across the globe can be seen throughout the book.

This does seem to fit similarly into the "On Tyranny" type of book that acts as a reminder of what totalitarian or authoritarian regimes are capable of when they go unchecked.

I've always been so curious, maybe morbidly curious, with the making of the Nazi party and how they were able to rise up with such radical viewpoints and Rees does an incredible job of the calculation done by those in power to blend their aggressive and abrasive beliefs into a political message that ultimately led them to power.

I'm just...overwhelmed. More horrible details are discussed which will have you questioning the humanity of the everyday German public during the Reich.

I am very of German heritage with known relatives, a great uncle that was in the Lüftwaffe. Nazi, Nazis in my extended heritage. How could anyone of the blood we share been so cruel, so inhuman?
All for blood guilt and conspiracy theories about Jewish people that were routinely referenced as
"rats", as vermin, as...diseased...I'll stop there; I just can't understand it.

But the Nazi mind was most Germans of that time.
The Stanford Zimbardo experiment, the Stanley Milgram study...Its our human nature l'm so sorry to say.

And if you're at Sinclair Lewis' "It Can't Happen Here" stage you'd be so very wrong.

I'm going on too long. This is an important, stunning work of scholarship. Recommended but listen...Guard your heart. That's the takeaway.

Solid Nonpartisan Examination Of The Psychology Of Nazism - And All The More Terrifying For It. This is one of those *detailed* looks at the full history of Nazism, all the way back into its origins in the 19th century, that uses different psychological concepts as the focus of each chapter and shows how both the leaders of the Party and even the German laypeople fell under its spell.

Even with most chapters being a detailed history of the Nazi period of Germany and with only the final "Twelve Warnings" chapter having really anything to do directly with life a century later, the parallels to political life now - on *all* sides - become quite clear, even without Rees having to explicitly detail them. Whether it be the anti-immigrant MAGA or the anti-white "Woke" Left, the parallels to the various psychological foibles of Nazism are quite clear in Rees' history here - which makes it all the more utterly terrifying.

Because no matter what modern society wants to think, and as a great grandson of an American soldier who was a German POW during WWI and a grandson of two survivors of the Battle of the Bulge on the American side (one of whom earned a Silver Star and a Purple Heart for this actions in that particular battle) of WWII, I think I have some space to talk here: Nazis did utterly horrific things, this is clear. Things that would drive those who even witnessed them - even as liberators - to lifelong alcoholism after the war, and that was among the *better* effects. But Nazis were *not* some mythical monster. They were utterly, completely, 100% human - and we and our society - *any* of us - could fall into their depravities much easier than we like to think in the 2020s. Rees' history here makes this all too clear, and should serve as a clarion call to *ALL* of us, no matter our political beliefs or reasonings.

Read this book. Apply it to your political enemies - that's the easy part. Then critically look at those closest to you politically... and apply it to them as well. That's hard. Then critically look into your own mind, seriously examine your own thought processes and how you believe what you believe, and apply this book to that as well. That's the hardest part of all. Yet it may indeed be our only way of truly preventing the horrors of the past from becoming a prophecy of a future that could come again.

Very much recommended.

This was a really excellent study of aspects of the psychology behind Nazism. Rees does an excellent job of balancing historical narrative, factual data, and psychological analysis as he walks his readers through the rise, reign, and fall of Hitler and the Nazi movement. The descriptions of the acts committed by the Nazis does make for difficult reading at times, but we must look the facts of the Holocaust and the crimes of those involved squarely in the face if we are going to work towards understanding the psychology behind such atrocities. This book would be an excellent companion piece to Richard Evans’s Third Reich trilogy and deserves a place on the shelf of any individual who has interest in WW2. An easy four star recommendation.

The Nazi Mind by Laurence Rees is a compelling exploration of the psychological and sociopolitical factors that enabled the perpetrators of the Holocaust to commit such unimaginable atrocities. Rees doesn't shy away from confronting the darkness that gripped Nazi Germany, offering a nuanced view of how ordinary Germans—many of whom might not have initially embraced extreme ideologies—came to tolerate or even actively participate in the removal of Jews and other marginalized groups. By tracing the roots of Nazi mentalities from the fringe politics of the 1920s through to their rise in the 1930s, Rees provides a clear historical context for how such a violent ideology gained traction in Germany.

This book is so well researched and so well written it gave me nightmares. I had to give up reading it before bedtime because the parallels you see with the Reich and MAGA are scary and I kept telling myself, "how are we here again", "how do people not see this?" everyone should read this book.

Whoever chose the title “The Nazi Mind” didn’t do the author any favors. That title suggests the book is about psychology, but that’s not the focus. It’s helpful to read Rees’s clear introduction to his approach and to take note that this is a history book informed on occasion by psychology, and not a psychology book informed by history. He states flatly that he doesn’t believe it’s helpful to try to psychoanalyze historical persons; it ends up being just speculation and tends to look ridiculous. Rees asserts that it’s a false notion that there is some specific Nazi psychological personality type.

Here are Rees’s 12 warnings:

1. Spreading conspiracy theories
2. Using them and us
3. Leading as a hero
4. Corrupting youth
5. Conniving with the elite
6. Attacking human rights
7. Exploiting faith
8. Valuing enemies
9. Eliminating resistance
10. Escalating racism
11. Killing at a distance
12. Stoking fear

We can certainly recognize these as existing today in the MAGA mind, so you might be expecting this book to draw parallels between the Nazi mind and the MAGA mind. But no, it doesn’t. Instead, each chapter addresses its topic at some length, as it applies to the Nazi era. It’s up to the reader to consider parallels and warnings. Lees has written a lot of books about the Nazi era, including The Nazis: A Warning From History (first published in 1997), The Dark Charisma of Adolf Hitler, How Mankind Committed the Ultimate Infamy at Auschwitz, and his better-known titles, The Holocaust, and Auschwitz. If you’ve already read any of those, you won’t find much new here. But if not, this is a good way of helping you wrap your mind around how easily previously unthinkable things can be brought about in supposedly civilized countries.

This book really opened my eyes to the context of our present day. The historical revelations were significant and highly recommended.

This was a very lengthy book, with an extensive detail and research. It read like a history textbook for a college class, so the tone was quite dry. For research purposes, this book would be an excellent tool.
Due to the subject matter, there are very graphic, disturbing passages.

The parts that stood out to me:
The sections on Holocaust denial, and very chilling reports on how many Nazis “excused” their war time actions.

*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

Very eye opening book for the times that we are living. Many history lessons that I did not know. I would highly recommend this book for the history alone.

What a terrible time In US history for me to be reading this book. Filled with heartbreak and concern, a good read for anyone.