In Hitler’s Munich, author Michael Brenner tells the story of how Jews in the city coped with Adolf Hitler’s rise to power and eventual dictatorship. Focusing on the period between 1933 and 1939, Brenner examines how different segments of Munich’s Jewish community responded to Nazi persecution – from those who fled Germany altogether to those who attempted to cooperate with the regime. Drawing on a wealth of archival material, Brenner provides a nuanced account of one of history’s most complex and fraught periods.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for people who are interested in history, and want to learn more about how the Jews coped with Adolf Hitler’s rise to power.
Pros :
- The author does a great job of giving an overview of the entire period, 1933-1939, instead of just focusing on one particular event or group of people.
- The book is well researched and provides lots from archival material.
- The topic is interesting and not often covered in books like this.
Cons :
- The author could have provided more context about Munich’s history leading up to 1933.
- The book is dense and at times difficult to follow.
- There are few photographs or illustrations included in the text.
Learn more about the author
Michael Brenner is a historian and professor of Jewish Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. He is the author or editor of numerous books, including The Renaissance of Jewish Culture in Weimar Germany (1996) and A History of Jews in Europe Since 1750 (2012).
Reader Reviews
“A well written, tightly focused account of the impact of Nazi policies on Munich’s Jewish community between 1933 and 1939. Brenner makes excellent use of primary sources to explore how different segments of the community responded to increasing levels of discrimination and violence. Highly recommended.”
“A well-written, thoroughly researched study of how Munich’s Jews responded to the rise of Nazism . . . Highly recommended.”
“A well-researched, insightful look at the impact of Nazi rule on Munich’s Jewish community. The author provides a thorough examination of the multifaceted responses to persecution, ranging from active resistance to collaboration with the regime.”
“A dense, highly detailed chronicle of the Jews in Munich from 1933-1939 . . . This is a book rich with information and insights on how different aspects of the Jewish community – religious and secular, socialist and capitalist – coped (or didn’t cope) with Nazi rule.”