Nazi Science: Myth, Truth, and the German Atomic Bomb - Softcover

Walker, Mark

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0306449412 ISBN 13: 9780306449413

Publisher: Springer, 1995

Synopsis

In this book, Mark Walker - a historical scholar of Nazi science - brings to light the overwhelming impact of Hitler's regime on science and, ultimately, on the pursuit of the German atomic bomb. Walker meticulously draws on hundreds of original documents to examine the role of German scientists in the rise and fall of the Third Reich. He investigates whether most German scientists during Hitler's regime enthusiastically embraced the tenets of National Socialism or cooperated in a Faustian pact for financial support, which contributed to National Socialism's running rampant and culminated in the rape of Europe and the genocide of millions of Jews. This work unravels the myths and controversies surrounding Hitler's atomic bomb project. It provides a look at what surprisingly turned out to be an Achilles' heel for Hitler - the misuse of science and scientists in the service of the Third Reich.

About this title

About the Author

Mark Walker teaches European history and the history of science and technology at Union College.

From the Back Cover

In this highly significant book, Mark Walker-a historical scholar of Nazi science-brings to light the overwhelming impact of Hitler's regime on science and, ultimately, on the pursuit of the German atomic bomb. Walker meticulously draws on hundreds of original documents to examine the role of German scientist in the rise and fall of the Third Reich.

From the Inside Flap

In this book, Mark Walker - a historical scholar of Nazi science - brings to light the overwhelming impact of Hitler's regime on science and, ultimately, on the pursuit of the German atomic bomb. Walker meticulously draws on hundreds of original documents to examine the role of German scientists in the rise and fall of the Third Reich. He investigates whether most German scientists during Hitler's regime enthusiastically embraced the tenets of National Socialism or cooperated in a Faustian pact for financial support, which contributed to National Socialism's running rampant and culminated in the rape of Europe and the genocide of millions of Jews. This work unravels the myths and controversies surrounding Hitler's atomic bomb project. It provides a look at what surprisingly turned out to be an Achilles' heel for Hitler - the misuse of science and scientists in the service of the Third Reich.

Reviews

Walker's (German National Socialism and the Quest for Nuclear Power, 1939-1949, Cambridge Univ. Pr., 1989) latest work examines whether most German scientists during Hitler's Third Reich embraced Nazi tenets or entered into a "Faustian pact" for financial support. One intriguing portion of the book deals with the German atomic bomb: "The German atom bomb is like the unicorn. It never really existed." "Hitler's bomb" has spawned a strong debate that should be of interest to anyone studying the questions raised by Nazi Germany. One side states that if there had been a bomb, the core of German scientists would have kept it away from Hitler. The other side states that the German scientists involved would have done whatever was necessary to win the war. Walker shows how the debate continues to be relevant today. Although scholarly, this will be accessible to general readers. Recommended for all academic and large public libraries.
Dennis L. Noble, Sequim, Wash.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0306449412
• ISBN 13: 9780306449413
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 333