The Himmler Brothers

Review:
'To write a biography of an infamous character and his immediate family when they are close relatives takes an inordinate amount of courage to look into the dark side of history. Impelled by a request from her father, Ms Himmler began her journey believing her family's narrative. Researching newly released archives and, incredibly, discovering long overlooked family letters, documents, and photos, Ms Himmler uncovered long forgotten and unwanted truths.

A frank well researched straight forward bio of a typically average, respectable with the typical values held by their community, German family of the time (late 19th to early mid 20th century). What was surprising was the intense nationalism and militarism which permeated German culture as well as the intense pride Germans held for their past. From her research one can discern the racial bias inculcate within the populace, the emphasis on marrying not for love but for the quality of potential offspring.

From these cultural imperatives, the journey to those of the National Socialists was quite logical and frighteningly brief. While Heinrich's path led him to unspeakably depraved actions, his brothers and his father believed in the Nazi party, participating without coercion willingly joining the Party and advancing in it without Heinrich's overt aid.

While a portrait of a specific family, it shows how inculcated cultural beliefs along with the aftermath of WW1 which humiliated German pride and the political turmoil between democracy, communism, and the extreme right, provided fertile soil for the nightmare of the Nazi platform.

It also demonstrates how selective memories can be.

Ms Himmler's journey to ferret out the truth is remarkable, interesting, and compelling.' - Amaon review