Nazi Prisoners of War in America [Paperback]

Arnold Krammer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 23, 1996

This is the only book available that tells the full story of how the U.S. government, between 1942 and 1945, detained nearly half a million Nazi prisoners of war in 511 camps across the country. With a new introduction and illustrated with more than 70 rare photos, Krammer describes how, with no precedents upon which to form policy, America's handling of these foreign prisoners led to the hasty conversation of CCC camps, high school gyms, local fairgrounds, and race tracks to serve as holding areas. The Seattle Times calls Nazi Prisoners of War in America "the definitive history of one of the least known segments of America's involvement in World War II. Fascinating. A notable addition to the history of that war."

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

During WW II, the U.S. held close to 400,000 German POWs in camps around the country; interviews with prison camp officials and POWs who became American citizens shed light on a seldom-discussed aspect of this country's history. "Krammer's valuable book breaks ground and exposes a unique side of the drama of Nazi fanaticism vs. the easygoing American way," said PW. Illustrated.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

This is no doubt the definitive history of one of the least-known segments of America's involvement in World War II. Fascinating. A notable addition to the history of that war. (Seattle Times )

Delightful. Outstanding. (The Houston Post )

Absorbing. Krammer's valuable book breaks ground and exposes a unique side of the drama. (Publishers Weekly )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Scarborough House (July 23, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812885619
• ISBN-13: 978-0812885613
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #799,393 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, enlightening, December 3, 2003

By 

Serene (Marina, CA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nazi Prisoners of War in America (Paperback)

I found Nazi Prisoners of War to be a fascinating look into the little known (and explored) history of American POW camps. This book really put a human face on the soldiers of Germany who weren't always Nazi sympathizers. I felt the author presented quite a balanced view of both the anti-Nazi prisoners and the pro-Nazi officers and enlisted men.

Of particular interest was the discussion of how the camps were run, the photographs of the prisoners and the stories of their escapes. Also, some stories were quite humorous: the story where the Americans tell the Germans to clean their barracks/common rooms and the German POWS refuse. The Americans perform a trick by telling them a high-ranking German officer would be imprisoned there to get them to comply without the use of force. This was quite clever.On the flip-side I found it disturbing that the American army officials preferred to supervise hard-core nazis in prisons because they were easier to manage, rather than anti-nazis. At times these officials encouraged nazism!

I recommend this book for a different and balanced look into the past.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A excellent book on a very obscure topic, July 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Nazi Prisoners of War in America (Paperback)

To say how interesting this book is at first I have to note how unknown this topic is. When I first began looking for the book, a person working at a book store asked me if it was fiction! Gimme a break! For instance, Santa Anita Racetrack in California was a huge POW camp during WWII. Who knew that? Anyone into American history should know about this, and if not, READ THIS BOOK. It is very easy to assume that there is no other book in existance that covers this topic any better.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A detailed look at German Prisoners in America (42-45), August 25, 1995

By A Customer

This review is from: Nazi Prisoners of War in America (Paperback)

A very detailed look at German prisoners of war in America. From their lives to how the citizens and the wardepartment reacted to them are here, with countless pictures, and tables to help the reader understand what occured. This is a good THICK historical document on the way prisoners lived, worked, played, and sometimes escaped. It also covers how Americans, from civilians, government, and armed service personnel reacted to their presence. A very good look into an area that has not received a lot of attention.