Book Review From Rick’s Library: Wannsee - The Nazis’ Blueprint for Murder

On January 20, 1942, a gathering convened in a villa situated on the shores of Lake Wannsee at the western outskirts of Berlin. This assembly comprised 15 senior officials from the Nazi bureaucracy. During this meeting, light refreshments were offered, along with glasses of cognac. The entire agenda was as chilling as it was succinct: "Planning the organizational, logistical, and material aspects of a definitive resolution to the Jewish issue in Europe."

In just 90 minutes of deliberation, the blueprint for the Holocaust was conceived.

Welcome to That's Life, I Swear. This podcast is about life's happenings in this world. Happenings that conjure up such words as intriguing, frightening, life-changing, inspiring, and more. I'm Rick Barron, your host. 

That said, here's the rest of this story

What’s the abstract of this book?

Peter Longerich's book, "Wannsee: Planning the Final Solution" is but 106 pages in length. However, don’t let that short length of this book fool you. From page to page you sense the deep research the author put into this book. You’ll find great detail and a deeply insightful examination of this pivotal event in the Holocaust's history.  The content explores how the Reich's relentless and rapidly advancing system of mass murder had already begun its gruesome operations, leading to the tragic loss of hundreds of thousands of Jewish lives through massacres across occupied Europe. 

Author: Peter Longerich. Courtesy of: Sonntagsblatt

Why was this meeting with Reinhard Heydrich, the SS intelligence service and security police chief, and fifteen high ranking Nazi associates arranged?  

The Holocaust was already underway, yet what was lacking was a systematic blueprint to streamline and intensify the operation. What was required was the establishment of a well-oiled administrative apparatus, with various departments effectively coordinating logistics and procedures. More critically, there was a need for a centralized command that could oversee and direct the escalating brutality, thereby laying out an organized and unified strategy for the harrowing path that lay ahead, that being the elimination of 11 million Jews off the face of the earth.

This meeting of 15 would establish what was needed to meet the goal, which they titled the “Final Solution” 

The author delves into the historical context, the participants, and the discussions that occurred during this meeting, shedding light on the bureaucratic and logistical aspects of the genocide that would be coming.

The copious written notes recorded, then transferred via typewriter, during that meeting, transcribed across 15 pages, abstain from explicit references to murder. Instead, they employ phrases such as "evacuation," "reduction," and "treatment." Furthermore, they allocate responsibilities to various government departments along with their corresponding "specialists."

Reading this book was very unsettling. At times some of the content was very chilling to take in. What was decided amongst these 15 high ranking German officials in historical notes and other records was veiled in a facade of deceptive language. Reviewing the list of nations and the calculated number of Jewish individuals earmarked for extermination, it becomes evident that this meeting harbored extensive and sinister intentions. The blueprint was clearly aimed at the lives of eleven million people, revealing the ugliness of their evil-minded designs.

Here's something to ponder. What does 11 million people mean? How do you frame that? Combine the entire populations of New York City and Los Angeles, and you have the picture.

One of the book's notable strengths is the depth of research. Longerich draws upon a wide array of primary sources, including documents, letters, diaries, and official records, to reconstruct the events leading up to the conference and what transpired within it. The author’s meticulous approach ensures that readers gain a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the decision-making process that led to the Holocaust.

Wannsee House. Courtesy of: The National WWII Museum

Longerich also provides a critical examination of the participants in the Wannsee Conference, including their motivations, roles, and interactions. He dispels the myth that the conference was a mere formality and instead portrays it as a significant moment in the development and execution of the Holocaust. Readers are given insight into the intricate machinery of the Nazi regime and the calculated efforts to rationalize and implement mass murder.

The author's writing style is academic, which might make it more suitable for readers with a keen interest in Holocaust studies and history. 

About the author 

Peter Longerich is a distinguished historian and author known for his extensive and influential work in the field of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. Born on December 31, 1955, in Krefeld, Germany, Longerich's career has been defined by his commitment to excessive researching and documenting the history of the Third Reich.

Peter is widely recognized for his significant contributions to the academic study of the Nazi regime and Adolf Hitler. He earned his Ph.D. in Modern History from the University of Munich and taught and conducted research at various institutions. His work is characterized by its rigorous attention to detail and a commitment to unraveling the complexities of Nazi ideology, politics, and the Holocaust.

One of the author’s most prominent and influential books is "Hitler: A Biography," published in 2015. This comprehensive biography delves into the life and actions of Adolf Hitler, providing deep insights into the personality and motivations of the man responsible for some of the most horrific atrocities in history. 

Other books by the author:

·       The Unwritten Order: Hitler’s Role in the Final Solution, which explores Hitler's direct involvement in the planning and execution of the Holocaust.

·       Holocaust: The Nazi Persecution and Murder of the Jews, a comprehensive examination of the Holocaust

Peter has received numerous awards and fellowships for his work. He is a member of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany and a Fellow of the British Academy. He has also been awarded honorary doctorates from the universities of Düsseldorf and Haifa.

He is perhaps one of the most respected historians of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. His work has made a significant contribution to our understanding of this dark period in human history.

What drew my interest in reading this book? 

The book got my attention when watching a movie on streaming tv. The title of the movie was ‘Conspiracy’. The plot of the movie began by taking you to the outskirts of Berlin to an area known as Wannsee. The movie goes on to call out that on January 20, 1942, senior Nazi officials meet to determine the manner in which the so-called "Final Solution to the Jewish Question" can be best implemented.

Himmler and Heydrich. Courtesy of: Wikimedia Commons

The movie intrigued me, leading to research more on this dark in history. Reading the book, you find yourself astonished at the disconnect between atrocity and humanity reflected in the meeting minutes during this conference. There’s not the slight less hint of remorse at the specifics of genocide planned for the Jews. It’s just the opposite that you read that those in attendance displayed an eager appetite for ethic cleansing.  

Knowing that this happened leaves you in a state of stunning dismay, and after all the proceedings were over, you’re amazed how cavalier the members of this meeting broke for breakfast.

What can we learn from this story? What's the take away?

In "Wannsee: Planning the Final Solution," Peter Longerich successfully illuminates a crucial juncture in the Holocaust's history. The book contributes to our understanding of the inner workings of the Nazi regime, the mindset of its key figures, and the bureaucracy that facilitated the mass murder of millions. 

Longerich's book is a sobering and unflinching look at the dark side of human nature. It is a reminder of the capacity for evil that existed and does to this day. The book gives cause to confront the reality of human corruption and the importance of fighting against intolerance and hatred.

While it may be more academically oriented, it is a must-read for those seeking a deeper, more nuanced comprehension of the Holocaust and the Wannsee Conference's chilling role in it. Peter's commitment to historical accuracy makes this book invaluable for anyone interested in this dark chapter of human history. 

Well, there you go. That’s life, I swear.

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