The SS: Alibi of a Nation, 1922-1945

This book is an exceptional work, and I must first point out that while it is crammed full of factual information, intimate conversations, the overall scheming and intra-party politics in the formation of the SS and the constant power struggles, this book is by no means a dry, statistical type of read, only suitable for the determined historian. It is not always easy to keep track of the major (and minor) personalities and their constant intrigue and subterfuge at all levels, but the author does a masterful job of balancing the, at times, overwhelming amount of information with a very personal and intimate flair keeps the reader awake and engaged in the story as it develops.Mark Werger, an author of many books on the SS, recently stated this was easily in the top 10 of best books he had read, and I can see why. When you finish this book you will have a much more throrough understanding of the SS thanks to the painstaking and meticulous research performed by Gerald Reitlinger. It is so informative you will probably never part with it if you are truly interested in the subject.

it arrived on time, and the book appeared to be almost new. it is the story of the ss in nazi germany and how the people of germany could use the ss as the evil ones who did it. they did not have to face their own guilt when they had a ready made totally guilty group. it is an interesting book and well worth what i paid for it. if you want to learn more about the ss in nazi germany, i recommend it.

As my headline says, "The SS: Alibi of a Nation" is a very interesting read. However, it is not an easy reading. Between a heavy subject, and sometimes confusing time jumps, this book rating is a Four out of Five Stars.Because of different accounts in interviews, diaries, and memories, there are several instances where the reader is given the different views of what happened. I do applaud the author for being up front about the lack of agreement on what exactly happened, especially in the early days of the SS being formed. With the political chaos and blackmail happening, it is no wonder that documents and accounts vary or are missing.The book was purchased used, and it reflects it. The pages are well worn, but not torn. A couple corners are bent, and the back cover has a small corner missing. However, this is no major deal, and I'm more than fine with it. The seller didn't mention the corner being gone, but the other wear was mentioned.In all, I'm very satisfied with the book.

As the title suggests, Reitlinger follows for the reader the inception and budding organization of the SS and other police or civil branches within an increasingly-menacing police state in Germany. The reader must read carefully through the first fifth of the book to avoid confusing names and relationships, but ultimately the actors are well defined. Every conversation or statement from the main characters is routinely cited from firsthand accounts. The book includes an extensive bibliography and a biography of dozens of characters in the upper echelons of the Nazi military, SS and civil bureaucracy. Reitlinger weaves a remarkable tapestry of places, names and events until we have a better understanding of the inner workings of the Nazi government, their secret orders of exterminating Jews and Slavs and other "sub-human" races, the often public denials of the concentration camps by members of the highest rank, the contests for power under Hitler, and the seductions and betrayals between officers and agents(like a nest of vipers) at the heart of the German Reich. An important scholarly addition to any WWII library, this book details the most insidious plots and conversations among history's most brutal mass murderers, the corruption of their officers, and the incredible processes of armies within armies, states within the state, and secret intelligence forces within the police and other ministries.Well-written, consise, and highly credible.

Good condition

Excellent book and a great seller.

excellent book,and I am very satisfied with amazon service and the ability to obtain various books which I cannot acquire in book stores.

Pretty good book covering the history of the SS, but leaves out many things, such as the fact that Reichfuhrer SS Heinrich Himmler was wounded by police gunfire, during the march to take over the government buildings, during the aborted "Beer-hall Putsch" of 1923. The main argument of the book, that the entire German people used the SS as a whipping boy and scapegoat for all the bad things that were done in Nazi Germany, and that ALL German citizens were complicit in ALL the atrocities, is, of course, ridiculous.

In some respects this is "of its time" and there are other more recent books that have used more recently available sources. However this is still a very good and thorough account of the organisation, and its age means that while it may be missing some content,, its closer proximity to the events is a good counter to that. Recommended.