Anatomy of Malice

The Enigma of the Nazi War Criminals

Nonfiction, History, Jewish, Holocaust, Health & Well Being, Psychology, Social Psychology, Modern, 20th Century
Cover of the book Anatomy of Malice by Joel E. Dimsdale, Yale University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Joel E. Dimsdale ISBN: 9780300220674
Publisher: Yale University Press Publication: May 28, 2016
Imprint: Yale University Press Language: English
Author: Joel E. Dimsdale
ISBN: 9780300220674
Publisher: Yale University Press
Publication: May 28, 2016
Imprint: Yale University Press
Language: English
When the ashes had settled after World War II and the Allies convened an international war crimes trial in Nuremberg, a psychiatrist, Douglas Kelley, and a psychologist, Gustave Gilbert, tried to fathom the psychology of the Nazi leaders, using extensive psychiatric interviews, IQ tests, and Rorschach inkblot tests. Never before or since has there been such a detailed study of governmental leaders who orchestrated mass killings.

Before the war crimes trial began, it was self-evident to most people that the Nazi leaders were demonic maniacs. But when the interviews and psychological tests were completed, the answer was no longer so clear. The findings were so disconcerting that portions of the data were hidden away for decades and the research became a topic for vituperative disputes. Gilbert thought that the war criminals’ malice stemmed from depraved psychopathology. Kelley viewed them as morally flawed, ordinary men who were creatures of their environment. Who was right?

Drawing on his decades of experience as a psychiatrist and the dramatic advances within psychiatry, psychology, and neuroscience since Nuremberg, Joel E. Dimsdale looks anew at the findings and examines in detail four of the war criminals, Robert Ley, Hermann Göring, Julius Streicher, and Rudolf Hess. Using increasingly precise diagnostic tools, he discovers a remarkably broad spectrum of pathology. Anatomy of Malice takes us on a complex and troubling quest to make sense of the most extreme evil.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
When the ashes had settled after World War II and the Allies convened an international war crimes trial in Nuremberg, a psychiatrist, Douglas Kelley, and a psychologist, Gustave Gilbert, tried to fathom the psychology of the Nazi leaders, using extensive psychiatric interviews, IQ tests, and Rorschach inkblot tests. Never before or since has there been such a detailed study of governmental leaders who orchestrated mass killings.

Before the war crimes trial began, it was self-evident to most people that the Nazi leaders were demonic maniacs. But when the interviews and psychological tests were completed, the answer was no longer so clear. The findings were so disconcerting that portions of the data were hidden away for decades and the research became a topic for vituperative disputes. Gilbert thought that the war criminals’ malice stemmed from depraved psychopathology. Kelley viewed them as morally flawed, ordinary men who were creatures of their environment. Who was right?

Drawing on his decades of experience as a psychiatrist and the dramatic advances within psychiatry, psychology, and neuroscience since Nuremberg, Joel E. Dimsdale looks anew at the findings and examines in detail four of the war criminals, Robert Ley, Hermann Göring, Julius Streicher, and Rudolf Hess. Using increasingly precise diagnostic tools, he discovers a remarkably broad spectrum of pathology. Anatomy of Malice takes us on a complex and troubling quest to make sense of the most extreme evil.

More books from Yale University Press

Cover of the book Cosima Wagner: The Lady of Bayreuth by Joel E. Dimsdale
Cover of the book Frederic Church by Joel E. Dimsdale
Cover of the book Domestic Subjects by Joel E. Dimsdale
Cover of the book American Sympathy by Joel E. Dimsdale
Cover of the book The Darwin Archipelago: The Naturalist's Career Beyond Origin of Species by Joel E. Dimsdale
Cover of the book For-Profit Democracy by Joel E. Dimsdale
Cover of the book How Shakespeare Put Politics on the Stage by Joel E. Dimsdale
Cover of the book The Conservatives: Ideas and Personalities Throughout American History by Joel E. Dimsdale
Cover of the book Fictions of Art History by Joel E. Dimsdale
Cover of the book The Computer and the Brain by Joel E. Dimsdale
Cover of the book Geronimo by Joel E. Dimsdale
Cover of the book Culture in Nazi Germany by Joel E. Dimsdale
Cover of the book Entitlement by Joel E. Dimsdale
Cover of the book Writing History in the Age of Biomedicine by Joel E. Dimsdale
Cover of the book The Making of Americans by Joel E. Dimsdale
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy