The Unwritten Order: Hitler's Role in the Final Solution (History of Nazism) [Hardcover]

Peter Longerich (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2002

The Holocaust differs from other genocides in recent history for one main reason—there is no other example in which a minority was annihilated so systematically on the orders of a head of state and through the apparatus of government. Through the recent discovery of documents, the central role that Hitler played in the persecution and murder of the European Jews can be proved much more conclusively than was possible just a few years ago.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“… the finest account to date of the many twists and turns of Adolf Hitler’s anti–semitic obsession.” -- Richard Overy

“…students of the Nazi era will find Longerich's work of much value.” -- Kirkus Reviews

“a compelling account” -- Richard Evans --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From the Publisher

The Holocaust differs from other genocides in recent history for one main reason: there is no other example in which a minority was annihilated so systematically on the orders of a head of state and through the apparatus of government. Through the recent discovery of documents the central role that Hitler played in the persecution and murder of the European Jews can be proved much more conclusively than was possible just a few years ago.

Peter Longerich is Professor of Modern German History at Royal Holloway, University of London, and Director of the Research Centre for the Holocaust and Twentieth Century History. He was an expert witness in the celebrated court case involving David Irving and Penguin Books. He lives in Munich and London. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (February 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0752419773
• ISBN-13: 978-0752419770
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,984,554 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Peter Longerich is Professor of Modern German History at Royal Holloway University of London, and founder of Royal Holloway's Holocaust Research Centre. He has published extensively on Nazi Germany, including the acclaimed Holocaust: The Nazi Murder and the Persecution of the Jews, The Unwritten Order: Hitler's Role in the Final Solution, and The Systematic Character of the National Socialist Policy for the Extermination of the Jews.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing research and analysis, March 30, 2005

By 

Benjamin R. Cox, III "RevBen02" (Groveland, Fl United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Unwritten Order: Hitler's Role in the Final Solution (History of Nazism) (Hardcover)

I bought this book as a follow-up on the David Irving-Deborah Lipstadt trial. Professor Lipstadt listed it, I believe, in the bibliography of her book on that same trial. Longerich was called as a special witness, along with Robert Jan Van Pelt. This book, to me, as a student of the Holocaust, is amazing.

There is NO single document in which Hitler orders the Final Solution. Deniers use that to say that Hitler did not know about the Final Solution and even tried to stop it. Dr. Longerich traces the long, fragmented, documentary route of Hitler's thought on the subject and how the Third Reich functioned to prove beyond a doubt that Hitler did indeed know and was definitely in charge.

This book will clear up any doubt that one might have on the subject. Along with this book, I would recommend to the serious student of Holocaust Studies the following:
1)The Holocaust on Trial by Guttenplan
2) History of Trial by Lipstadt
3) Lying About History by Evans
All this will give the reader a more complete picture of the responsibility of the Historian to report history in an objective way.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "No Hitler, No Holocaust", March 13, 2007

By 

Walter F. Renn "Professor of History (emeritus)" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Unwritten Order: Hitler's Role in the Final Solution (Revealing History) (Paperback)

Peter Longerich's well researched and clearly written study, The Unwritten Order: Hitler's Role in the Final Solution, is a highly readable, scholarly work setting forth the direct evidence of Hitler's pivotal role in the genesis of the Holocaust. Longerich makes clear that Hitler's role was central, despite there being no written order. As head of the German state, because of fear of international repercussions, and due to considerations of German public reaction, Hitler maintained his distance and silence regarding his direct role in the top secret project of the destruction of the European Jews. This has led to postwar controversies about the degree of Hitler's knowledge and approval of the annihilation of the European Jews. The purpose of Longerich's work is to show that, despite stringent efforts and much burning of documents at the end of the war, there is ample evidence to demonstrate conclusively that Hitler was well aware of the Holocaust and that it happened in consequence of his direct wishes.
Longerich's book is more than a satisfactory introduction to this important subject. But, for those wishing to learn more about Hitler and the Holocaust, several other serious studies should be read: Christopher Browning, The Origins of the Final Solution; Gerald Fleming, Hitler and the Final Solution, Philippe Burrin, Hitler and the Jews, and the relevant chapters of Ian Kershaw's two volume biography of Hitler. These books are all carefully researched and written by competent and renowned professional historians specializing in the Holocaust, Hitler, and Third Reich history.