Heinrich Himmler

The SS, Gestapo, His Life and Career

By: Roger Manvell, Heinrich Fraenkel

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

Authors Roger Manvell and Heinrich Fraenkel, notable biographers of the World War II German leaders Joseph Goebbels and Herman Goring, delve into the life of one of the most sinister, clever, and successful of all the Nazi leaders: Heinrich Himmler. As the head of the feared SS, Himler supervised the extermination of millions. Here is the story of how a seemingly ordinary boy grew into an obsessive and superstitious man who ventured into herbalism, astrology, and homeopathic medicine before finally turning to the “science” of racial purity and the belief in the superiority of the Aryan people.

©1965 Roger Manvell and Heinrich Fraenkel (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Nazi Socialist Gestapo Crimes and Demise

A valuable psychological criminal profile of Hitler's Gestapo General, Heinrich Himmler, who later joins Hitler, Goring, and Goebells as NAZI Socialist elite who chose suicide rather than face the public gallows.

great book

Give much more insight on ww2 and the individual’s involved in the war. The up to and including. Again great book.

Fantastic Biography

This biography truly captures the banality of evil. Here is without a doubt one of the most evil men in history. The absolutely casual nature with which he sent millions of men, women, and children to their deaths is utterly shocking. Yet what is just as surprising is how unlike Goebels, Goering, or even Hydrich, Himmler was a rather banal, pedantic individual. Softly spoken, weak frame, and rather cowardly. He was the exact opposite of the so called Nordic ideal. Himmler demonstrates that the most evil men appear rather ordinary and unimpressive. The author truly captures the banality of evil.

A new and insightful look at a Monster

Much like Eichmann in Jerusalem, this work points out the banality of unbelievable crimes when perpetrated by a faceless bureaucrat behind a desk. This book shows Himmler beyond the almost mythical shield of evil that has grown up around him. The question which begs an answer: How could anyone place any faith in such a non-entity and zero of a personality? Himmler was a Desk Criminal, who would have been unable to stand at the edge of a pit and see the outcome of his own orders, who in the end proved himself a coward by taking the suicidal way out of having to answer for his crimes.

Himmler

if you want the insight to one of Hitler's insiders read this book.
brings an insight not only of Himmler but also the leadership structure of the Nazi regime

Something New...

Having a minor in history and heavily in WW2 I have read quite a few books and articles on the SS. This book brought out some perspectives that I had not heard yet. I will check out some of the other books out there that folks are recommending.

Joe Barrett does a great job with the narration.

Weird choice for narration

This book, although informative. Felt a bit all over to me. My real gripe with it is the narrator. I’m sure he’d great for many books, but he sounds just like KC Casem. It’s so hard to follow (at least me me) when combing the leader of the SS and KC Caden’s top 40. Just my thoughts.

Good book. Interesting

Interesting book. I did learn a few things about him and it kept my attention.

This was an evil man

The strange thing about him where was that he was unaware of his own evil, because he made excuses for himself constantly. There's a lesson there for all of us.

Fantastic

It is rare to see a book so we’ll written from the opposite perspective. It is a fact of history that winners write history and all men think they are doing good for the future of humanity , regardless of how sinister that may appear.