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"From Publishers Weekly Nazi doctors did more than conduct bizarre experiments on concentration-camp inmates; they supervised the entire process of medical mass murder, from selecting those who were to be exterminated to disposing of corpses. Lifton (The Broken Connection; The Life of the Self shows that this medically supervised killing was done in the name of "healing," as part of a racist program to cleanse the Aryan body politic. After the German eugenics campaign of the 1920s for forced sterilization of the "unfit,"it was but one step to "euthanasia," which in the Nazi context meant systematic murder of Jews. Building on interviews with former Nazi physicians and their prisoners, Lifton presents a disturbing portrait of careerists who killed to overcome feelings of powerlessness. He includes a chapter on Josef Mengele and one on Eduard Wirths, the "kind," "decent" doctor (as some inmates described him) who set up the Auschwitz death machinery. Lifton also psychoanalyzes the German people, scarred by the devastation of World War I and mystically seeking regeneration. This profound study ranks with the most insightful books on the Holocaust." Not for the faint at heart but a very descriptive book on the murders of the masses. Doctors who were sworn to do no harm were doing just the opposite. Not recommended for all. ~~~~~Read full review
If you want to know how a Human Medical Professional goes from a healing practice to genocide, then you have to read this book. I got this book when I was at a medical university, from the medical bookstore. This is a very depressing book too because of what and how it happened. I could only read it in parts. This is my second copy of the book. I have had it for over 20 years. The author interviewed every Nazi doctor still alive at the time he wrote this book. There are over 50 interviews for him to write the story and it took quite a few years to get all the interviews done. If you are a Medical Professional or just a history buff, you will find this book unbelievable. There is nothing else like it and I have been a WWII history buff and a Public Health Professional for years. Interesting reading.Read full review
Well written,& compelling ,but sort of like a textbook at the same time. Lifton leaves no stone unturned. HIs interviews with Nazi's & victims are excellent. I think his writing has an extra dimension because he is Jewish. I love all of his books.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I am writing a book on the Holocaust and found this Lifton classic study of the Nazi Doctors.I read it originally when it came out. Although his theory is quite outdated his collection of information on the role function and moral inversion of ' Doctors" makes a fascinating read. The power of a political movement to invert personal values and humane ones as well is striking . It lead me to seek out Ranks theory of doubling one of the other books I bought .
the book is about a very scary time in the world's history. Its important we remember the horror so that history does not repeat itself. The book deals with the experiments and findings from these doctors. They were brilliant but very evil and sadistic. if they used their minds for good the world would have been better off. the book is interesting and terrifying all at the same time.
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