‘Hitler’s Shadow’ Still Over Germany?

Kirsch’s review and the book that was reviewed have a bearing on the very disquieting question of German reunification, which is being discussed so much more intensely since the recent events in both Germanys and in the Soviet Union.

Some writers quoted by Kirsch are stated to have written that the excesses of Nazism were the fault of Hitler alone and that Nazism should be termed “Hitlerism,” as if Hitler and perhaps a few close and like-minded buddies went about Europe industriously wiping out millions and committing the other evils as well. In fact, estimates are that fully 80% of Germans in the Nazi era knew and approved of what was going on.

Of course, many of today’s Germans are too young to have had any part in the activities of their country during Nazi times, and do not now approve of them. However, the book and the idea of reunification are disturbing. There are still many there who were participants with varying degrees of involvement, and their influence remains.

We may profitably look to nearby Sweden, which was, in the past, also a scourge of Europe. But, after the passage of a few hundred years, the turnover of its population by deaths and births, and the loss of half of its former territory, it is now a reliably peaceful country. I wish for the Germanys to be equally peaceful, and would cheer them on if that is their goal. But 44 years is a short time, there is much left for the Germans to do and to face (as the book shows), and the mark of Cain may still be discernible.

HARRY M. BAUER

Sherman Oaks