Germany and the Second World War: Volume 1: The Build-up of German Aggression(Germany & Second World War)

About the Book

This is the first of a comprehensive ten-volume history of the Second World War, written from the German perspective and translated for the first time into English. The five volumes so far published in German take the story up to the end of 1941, and have achieved international acclaim as a major contribution to historical study. Under the auspices of the Militärgeschichtliches Forschungsamt (Research Institute for Military History), a team of renowned historians has combined a full synthesis of existing material with the latest research to produce what will be the definitive history of the Second World War. This volume, The Build-up of German Aggression, surveys the forces both within and outside Weimar Germany which paved the way for Hitler. The authors examine the systematic preparation for war, from the outset of Nazi rule, through rearmament, economic autarky, diplomacy, and the penetration of German society at all levels. They consider the extent to which the movement can be regarded as a continuation of historic German nationalism; the limits of Hitler's involvement with the army and big business; and the lack of coordination between the administration and the armed services. The book demonstrates that, despite Nazi propaganda and in stark contrast to 1914, most Germans in 1939 opposed a war which they nevertheless endured with such tragic consequences. Intensively researched and documented, Germany and the Second World War is an undertaking of unparalleled scope and authority. It will prove indispensable to all historians of the twentieth century.

Table of Contents:
List of figures and maps; Notes on the authors; Notes on the translation; Abbreviations; Glossary of German terms; Introduction; Wolfram Wette: Part 1. Ideology, Propaganda, and Internal Politics as Preconditions of the War Policy of the Third Reich: Militarist and pacifist ideaologies in the last phase of the Weimar Republic; Propaganda mobilization for war; Organizing society in preparation for war; Hans-Erich Volkmann: Part II: The National Socialist Economy in Preparation for War: From international economy to large-area economy; The National Socialist war economy; Job-creation and armament boom; The National Socialist economy under the 'New Plan'; The war economy under the four-year plan; Rearmament economy and aggression; The Third Reich's economic readiness for war; Wilhelm Deist: Part III: The Rearmament of the Wehrmacht: The Reichswehr and national defence; The rearmament of the individual services 1933-1939; The Wehrmacht of the Third Reich; Manfred Messerschmidt: Part IV: Foreign Policy and Preparation for War: Hitler's 'Programme' and the problem of continuity in German foreign policy; The great powers and the aspiring great power; Bilateral foreign policy; Chances of hegemony: Stresa and the break-up of European solidarity; The road to war 1936-1938; 1939: The initial position; Conclusions; Bibligraphy; Index of persons; Maps

About the Author :

Wilhelm Deist, Manfred Messerschmidt, Hans-Erich Volkmann, Wolfram Wette

Project co-ordinated by the Militargeschichtliches Forschungsamt (Research Institute for Military History), Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany

Translated from the German by P. S. Falla, Dean S. McMurry, and Ewald Osers

Review :
From reviews of the German edition: `The tone of the work is cool, magisterial and convincing ... this is a work of the highest importance, not only for military historians, but for all students of world history in the 20th century.' Michael Howard, English Historical Review `This is a work of outstanding scholarship ... The book as a whole is a major achievement, pulling together existing literature and adding original material drawn from the archives. On almost every page there are insights and stimulating ideas.' Journal of Modern History `these volumes will provide the comprehensive and factual framework that alone can enable the reader to understand a period in modern history that in some respects will always remain incomprehensible.' Times Literary Supplement `Should leave no doubt that the world's most distinguished company of military historians is to be found in the Militärgeschichtliches Forschungsamt.' American Historical Review `The level of scholarship throughout is of a very high order, the style of the four contributors is fluent, authoritative and eminently readable, and an incredible amount of hard information has been packed into 700-odd pages. The series will quickly establish itself as an indispensable reference and a stimulus to further research.' History `This is the first volume of an important and ambitious project, a massive collaborative historical study of Germany's war from a German perspective.' World War II Review 'Oxford University Press is to be congratulated for undertaking the revised English edition of this authoritative and acclaimed ten-volume series from the Military History Research Institute at Freiburg im Breisgau. This volume cannot be recommended highly enough.' John P. Fox, Oxford Centre for Postgraduate Hebrew Studies, International Affairs, October 1991 'presents a massive and compelling synthesis of German historical research from an official viewpoint, and provides both a valuable overview of the state of German historiography and a timely and detailed reminder of Germany's responsibility for the most destructive war in history.' The CT `... the book is a notable contribution to military history in the broadest sense of that term and an indispensable tool for serious students of the war.' Choice 'worth waiting for ... its contributors ... do a truly commendable job of analysing the receptivity of Germans to the martial spirit ... Handsomely produced and smoothly translated ... the first two installments of Germany and the Second World War can be warmly recommended to the broad readership they deserve.' Marilyn Shevin Coetzee, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, History, Summer 1992