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Murderous Intellectuals: German Elites and the Nazi SS

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What drove the Nazis to embark on one of the cruelest mass murder sprees in history, the Holocaust? Also, what caused even the most brilliant of the Germans, some of the country's most renowned intellects, and many people in it upper classes - the German elite - to go along with Hitler's mad plans of genocide, and to sometimes fanatically embrace them as their own? These are the questions that author Jonathan Maxwell tries to answer in his excellent and very well researched book, Murderous Intellectuals: German Elites and the Nazi SS.

Though it's difficult for any one book to fully attempt to explain such a complicated topic, Maxwell's book does a pretty good job of highlighting many of the reasons that may have been behind why many of Germany's intellectuals and elites went along with and participated in the Holocaust. It's a very good book I'd recommend to anyone who likes to read about history and who has always wondered what could have caused an entire nation to seem to have fallen under Hitler's spell.

I won't go into great detail about the book - I don't want to spoil the enjoyment of reading it for others - but I'll touch on some of the reasons the author mentions which others have come up with over the years as possible explanations for Germany's elites and intellectuals, by and large, to become Nazis and support Hitler, Nazism, and the Holocaust. The author gives an overview of the various possible reasons in some of the book's chapters, which have titles like: "Personal Reasons," "Sadism," "Racism and Ethnic Hatred," "The Autocratic Nature of German Society" ("I was only following orders"), and "Human Genetics."

The "Personal Reasons" theory is that, as Jonathan Maxwell writes, "each member joined the organization because it offered something of great value to the individual recruit." These items of "great value" could include "something material, such as good clothes or a job with substantial pay. It could also be something intangible, such as a sense of security or belonging." We can all understand such a reason - sometimes, to improve one's social and/or economic standing, a person will join an organization that he/she otherwise might not join, like the Nazi party. If everyone around you is a member of the organization, and the only way you won't be ostracized (or potentially beaten, or wind up in a concentration camp) is to also become a member, personal reasons can be a powerful motivating factor.

"Sadism" and "Racism and Ethnic Hatred" are self-explanatory, though what could have caused people to be, as some were, so filled with a loathing of Jews as to want to kill them on sight is something people have always wondered about. The Jews became the scapegoats of not only Germany, but of France, and many other European nations, who would rather blame their economic and other problems on people other than themselves. Though Germany had always had a segment of its population (like most other countries have, including the United States) who were anti-Semetic, Hitler's and Himmler's hatred of the Jews seems to have infected an entire nation, who revered its leaders and thought they could do no wrong.

This leads into the theory that people were coerced or led into doing what they'd ordinarily not consider doing because of "The Autocratic Nature of German Society" ("I was only following orders."). In fact, this theory is discussed and presented int many courses in Psychology even today. Germany, the author points out, was:

...a militaristic nation obsessed with law and order. German leaders expect `regular' citizens to be compliant and submissive. `Regular' Germans essentially do what their government tells them to do. Therefore, when the Nazi regime ordered the Fianl Solution, average Germans unblinkingly tried to comply with the order.

There are several other theories the author delves into, all of which make for very interesting reading. The "Human Genetics" one asks: "Is violence in our genes? Are human beings `wired' to hate one another?" Also, the book gives background on historical events that led up to Hitler's coming into power, and I read a few things that I had either never heard of before, or had forgotten about, such as the fact that gas chambers were first used on Germany's own citizens - those who were considered to be "undesirables," who were mentally or physically deficient, or who were hopeless alcoholics.

Perhaps besides the racial and ethnic hatred of many Germans towards the Jews, one of the other main reasons people had for callously knowing about and often participating in the killing of their fellow human beings is that they were trying to create a perfect society. In their minds, to their twisted perspectives, this meant that they would have to eliminate anyone who might be, to them, not worthy of being a member of the "utopia" they were trying to establish.

There is no one reason, theory, or explanation why Germany's intellectual and elites joined the Nazi party, why some of its doctors engaged in gruesome "experiments" and dissections on living people, and why its industries went along with Hitler's plans (though cheap slave labor was one big motivation). Maxwell doesn't arrive at one answer, as there isn't a cut-and-dried one, but his examination of the various theories is very interesting and makes for a great addition to the shelves of anyone who enjoys reading about WWII . Also, if we don't learn from the past, we're condemned to repeat it, and sadly, there have been other mass genocides elsewhere in the world since WWII, such as in Czechoslovakia and in Darfur. Any book that causes us to think about what drives man's inhumanity to man and was behind the Holocaust and genocides since then is well worth reading and considering.


--Douglas R. Cobb--

MURDEROUS INTELLECTUALS - GERMAN ELITES AND THE NAZI SS is a book that makes you think, makes you take a second look at the atrocity--the holocaust. Jonathan Maxwell takes on the top players--the physicians, the scientists, the educators, the lawyers, the soldiers; he investigates and documents their motivations.
It was the intention of Adolf Hitler and his henchmen to eliminate the socialists, communists, democrats, Gypsies but especially the Jews. The thing we all have tendency to forget is that his henchmen were the elite in their society--the physicians, scientists, educators, lawyers, and soldiers. As Jonathan points out, the extermination of millions required organization, structure, and planning. It required men with skill, with education, and men of intent, and despite the claim they were only following orders, it took dedication to the cause.
In this book Jonathan Maxwell, details the backgrounds of these men, and while some of them can be labeled sadistic, most were just ordinary men in non-ordinary jobs. Jobs they were good at, jobs they wanted to keep, and jobs that meant the death of millions.
We tend to forget their backgrounds as we try to explain their crimes. Jonathan explores what made them who they became and what he discovered is that the answers are not so easy to compartmentalize. Labeling them as sadistic, cold-blooded, or sociopaths does not explain the number of men and women who took lives as if they were taking an order for widgets.
Jonathan Maxwell's book MURDEROUS INTELLECTUALS is a must read for any history buff, and it should be required reading for all students. Forgetting what happened is not an option, finding out why it happened is important and we once believed necessary to keep it from happening again. However, current history proves it continues. Only when all humanity believes in the sanctity of all life will the lessons learned mean the end of holocausts worldwide.

I read Jonathan Maxwell's book MURDEROUS INTELLECTUALS with little expectation, but left it feeling like I had just been reminded of an important chapter in humanity's history. Sometimes we forget how the mind's beauty can be used to do horrific things not just to ourselves but those around us. What Maxwell has done is taken the reader into the motivations of those who committed the horrific deeds in Nazi Germany but how that same mindset can be manifested today.

As someone who reads not just for myself but those I might come in contact with, I found this book to be both disturbing and necessary at the same time. We need to know what has happened in this world to make sure that none of those atrocities repeat themselves.

I applaud Maxwell for taking this journey himself in order to report back for us the reader. If good can come from madness, than I think discecting this historical chapter is definitely worth the time.

As a former Jewish activist and teacher of Holocaust studies, I have read dozens of books on the subject of the Holocaust history. None of them have been as articulate and well written as Murderous Intellecutals by Jonathan Maxwell. This book clearly delves into the history of Germany's pre-war years and explains not only the events throughout the Holocaust, but the thinking of those who participated in it to give the reader a full understanding how such an unthinkable tragedy could happen.
Mr. Maxwell's book should be required reading in all classes on Holocaust study for high school students and adults. His book presents an important historical perspective that tells the story in a way that will make you think for years to come. I know it has truly inspired my thinking.

Maxwell's depiction of the horrors of the Nazis brands your heart with a swastika. His research provides the motivations behind the darkest era of modern history and his writing serves as a reminder of the degrees of evil that coexist with all of us. If you're searching for a true grit historical analysis of the Nazis, look no further.


Marty Aftewicz,

President, The Atlanta Writers Club

What goes on in the mind of those who pass down the order of to slaughter millions? "Murderous Intellectuals: German Elites and the Nazi SS" is a look into the intellectual elite of Nazi Germany and their involvement in one of the most famous war atrocities of the twentieth century. Looking into these individuals personal histories for answers, Jonathan Maxwell creates a very interesting picture of the minds of the monsters on varying levels of the Nazi Hierarchy. "Murderous Intellectuals" is of high recommendation to any who want a better understanding of the Holocaust and why it happened.

In "Murderous Intellectuals: German Elites and the Nazi SS", Jonathan Maxwell gives brief, yet detailed, glimpses into the psyches of the many diverse Nazi Germany leaders. With a heroically objective viewpoint, the author offers understanding of how the Holocaust was able to happen and warning signs to prevent future genocidal horrors of that magnitude from happening again. Maxwell's wryness will captivate and compel both exclusive and occasional non-fiction reading audiences alike.
-Jonathan C. Akin, author of "Interrations" and "Winner's Choice"

Disclaimer: John Maxwell is a former student of mine. When he asked me to read "Murderous Intellectuals," I was hesitant at first. I had just read about five books set in World War II. From Japanese kamikaze pilots to civilians in occupied Europe, I had had my fill of that era. But Maxwell's book is different. Many books tell WHAT happened during the War; this book tells WHY it happened as it seeks to go inside the minds of the "murderous intellectuals" who masterminded the Nazi movement. If you've ever asked yourself how human beings could wreak such destruction on other humans, then read this book for a glimpse at the answer.

The United States unflinchingly carries on a sickening love affair between World War II and the brutality of the Holocaust, and there is very little that has not been overly dissected on the subject in print, film, or lecture. However, while the battles can be discussed at length, very little lip service is given to the specific types of intellectual minds that so eagerly ran with Hitler's genocidal plan.

In his book Murderous Intellectuals: German Elites and the Nazi SS, Jonathan Maxwell researches the psychology, family histories and pathology of some of Hitler's most staunch supporters. While what is resolved in Maxwell's text is the unnerving realization that intellectual men are capable of such heinous acts, it is the time spent exploring the very intellectuals who participated in creating laws against the Jews, misdirected education of German youths and exploring torturous studies in the name of science that strengthen Maxwell's theory. Surely it would take the minds of great educated men to research, prepare, organize and carry out the demands relayed in Hitler's final solution; however, it would also take weak, unstable men to follow such abhorrent direction. Maxwell shines light on the types of intellectuals that contributed to Hitler's folly; from respected doctor's, scientists and geneticists, to lawyers and educators.

As suggested at some length, Maxwell attempts to draw parallels between the varying levels of accepted psychosis and the ranks of the SS elite. This level of reasoning insinuates that this psychosis ultimately laid the foundation for Hitler's rise to power. While his inferences may be true, Maxwell's limited research leaves the reader questioning these claims.

The title of Maxwell's text suggests an expansive look into the minds of the intellectuals who perpetuated Hitler's maddening ideals, although he only briefly touches on the backgrounds of important Nazi leaders and officials. This leaves the reader wanting more substance. The goal of the book seems lost and convoluted; however, Maxwell poses some interesting ideas that could contribute significantly to the cannon of Nazi literature if given more attention.

In all, Maxwell does well with his discussion of the intellectual as Nazi through the first half of the book. However, the rest of this book reads more like a brief history of the Nazi's during World War II than an expose on the intellectual minds that permeated Hitler's ranks. It is well written, provides a concise biography and a helpful index for students using this book for research papers. The layout of the chapters can be confusing if trying to read through the book from beginning to end, but Maxwell's book can be useful if dissected for pure historical content.