Title: They Thought They Were Free: The Germans 1933-45
Author: Milton Sanford Mayer
First published January 1, 1955
368 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780226511924 (ISBN10: 0226511928)
Rating: 4.12
Overview
“They Thought They Were Free: The Germans 1933-45” by Milton Sanford Mayer sheds light on the rise of fascism in Germany by examining the lives of ten ordinary Germans who were members of the Nazi Party. Through conversations with them, Mayer uncovers the complicity and moral decay that allowed the Nazis to come to power.
Originally overlooked by the public, the book has gained renewed interest in today’s climate of political turmoil and serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of complacency and the slow erosion of freedom. With a new foreword by historian Richard J.
Evans, this book remains a powerful indictment of ordinary citizens who allowed evil to flourish.
About the Author
Milton Sanford Mayer was a journalist and educator famous for his long-standing column in The Progressive magazine, which was founded by Robert Marion LaFollette, Sr in Madison, Wisconsin. Raised as a Reform Jew, Mayer was born in Chicago to Morris Samuel Mayer and Louise Gerson.
He received a classical education with a focus on Latin and languages, graduating from Englewood High School. Although he studied at the University of Chicago from 1925 to 1928, he did not earn a degree, as he was placed on permanent probation for throwing beer bottles out of a dormitory window.
Mayer worked as a reporter for various publications, including the , and the .
During his time at the , Mayer married Bertha Tepper, and they had two daughters. However, they divorced in 1945, and two years later, Mayer married Jane Scully, whom he affectionately referred to as “Baby” in his magazine columns.
Mayer taught at several universities, including the University of Chicago, the University of Massachusetts, and the University of Louisville, as well as institutions overseas. Additionally, he served as a consultant to the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions.
Mayer’s most significant work was probably , which he first published in 1955 in the University of Chicago Press. In this book, he studied the lives of ordinary Germans under the Third Reich.
Mayer became a member of the Religious Society of Friends or Quakers while researching this book in Germany in 1950, but he did not reject his Jewish birth and heritage. Mayer was also the author of (Univ.
of Chicago Press) and co-authored (Univ. of Chicago Press) with Mortimer Adler.
Mayer passed away in 1986 in Carmel, California, where he and his second wife resided. He had one brother, Howie Mayer, who was a Chicago journalist and broke the Leopold and Loeb case.
Editoral Review
In the wake of World War II, Milton Sanford Mayer undertook a mission to understand the mindset of those who supported the Nazi regime in Germany. The result of his interviews, observations, and reflections was the groundbreaking book They Thought They Were Free: The Germans 1933-45.
First published in 1955, this work provides a unique perspective on the rise of Hitler and its impact on the German society. Mayer’s book is categorized as non-fiction, but it reads like a novel.
He weaves together personal stories, historical facts, and philosophical musings to paint a vivid picture of the psychological and social dynamics that enabled Hitler’s rise to power. The book is a testament to his journalistic talent, as well as his empathy and intellectual curiosity.
The book is structured around the experiences of several individuals who lived through the Nazi era, including a university professor, a farmer, a businessman, a socialist, and a Jewish doctor. Through their stories, Mayer illuminates the complex web of fear, loyalty, and cognitive dissonance that allowed the Nazis to manipulate the populace.
One of the strengths of the book is its honesty. Mayer humanizes the Germans without excusing their actions or minimizing their responsibility.
He shows how ordinary people can become complicit in atrocities, not out of evil but out of a misguided sense of duty, loyalty, or self-preservation. Another strength of the book is its relevance.
Although it was written more than half a century ago, it speaks not only to the historical context but also to the current political and social climate. Mayer’s insights into the nature of authoritarianism and propaganda are as pertinent as ever.
The book serves as a warning against complacency and a call to vigilance. However, the book is not without its flaws.
The structure can be confusing at times, as the narratives of the different characters overlap and interweave. The pacing can also be slow, as Mayer takes his time to explore each individual’s story in depth.
The book can be dense and requires a certain level of concentration and patience. Overall, They Thought They Were Free is a remarkable achievement.
It is a nuanced and compassionate portrait of a society in crisis, a meditation on the nature of freedom and responsibility, and a cautionary tale for our times. It is a must-read for anyone interested in history, psychology, or politics.
Score: 4.5/5
