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Reviews
Eichmann Before Jerusalem: The Unexamined Life of a Mass Murderer by Ruth Martin, Bettina Stangneth
cathyatratedreads's review against another edition
4.0
This is not a quick and easy read; it is a work of scholarship that is comprehensive and thoroughly researched and annotated. But it is well worth the time and effort to read: anyone who has ever been acquainted with Hannah Arendt's characterization of Holocaust architect Adolf Eichmann during his trial in Jerusalem must read this more accurate examination of the mass murderer. In 1960, Eichmann was still chillingly adept at molding his public image, and thanks to various circumstances, many observers fell for it hook, line, and sinker. Decades later, thanks to piles of information that have become available more recently, researchers who have taken the time to wade into the documents originating with Eichmann himself know the case is far different.
Rather than being an example of "the banality of evil," as Arendt put it, Eichmann was not a cog in the Nazi machine or a "former Nazi" who wanted to retire and live a simple life. Far from it: even in exile in Argentina, he spent time with fellow Nazis and talked about plans to continue the legacy, to resurrect the Third Reich and its "noble aims."
Bettina Stangneth has compiled a fine book that will likely change the whole conversation not just about Eichmann but about future research into Nazi Germany and its continued relevance.
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com: https://ratedreads.com/eichmann-before-jerusalem-clean-nonfiction-book-review/
Rather than being an example of "the banality of evil," as Arendt put it, Eichmann was not a cog in the Nazi machine or a "former Nazi" who wanted to retire and live a simple life. Far from it: even in exile in Argentina, he spent time with fellow Nazis and talked about plans to continue the legacy, to resurrect the Third Reich and its "noble aims."
Bettina Stangneth has compiled a fine book that will likely change the whole conversation not just about Eichmann but about future research into Nazi Germany and its continued relevance.
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com: https://ratedreads.com/eichmann-before-jerusalem-clean-nonfiction-book-review/
hamroach's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating detailed portrait of Eichmann that thoroughly debunks Arendt's "banality of evil".
abarbu's review against another edition
5.0
Very interesting and extremely well researched. A complete mess when it comes to the actual writing and structure of the book.
dansbooks's review
3.0
Unless you're a masochist I'd skip this one and instead read from the slew of reviews debating the degree to which Stangneth's work does or doesn't demolish Hannah Arendt's portrait of Eichmann. That contention is pretty overblown, and likely depends more on your interpretation of Arendt than on Stangneth's revelations themselves.
abarbu's review
5.0
Very interesting and extremely well researched. A complete mess when it comes to the actual writing and structure of the book.