Hitler's Scientists

HITLER'S SCIENTISTS is a fascinating examination of how Nazism interacted with science in a myriad of contexts. The author discusses everything--from the infamous experiments conducted in the concentration camps to the scientific metaphors that shaped public discourse under Hitler's regime. The work concludes with an extended discussion of scientific ethics thenand now. Simon Prebble's narration is superb. His tone is serious throughout, as befits the topic, but he also manages to sound deeply compassionate (for scientists and subjects) and incredulous (at Nazism's deep but deadly stupidities). Prebble delivers a range of foreign and scientific terms crisply, sounding at home with all of them. Cornwell quotes from many documents, and Prebble distinguishes among all readily. G.T.B. 2004 Audie Award Finalist (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine


This is a balanced and thorough study of science and morality under the Third Reich. The book describes how Germany's scientific genius (and quackery), as influenced by personal ambition, integrity, altruism, racism, personalities, superstition, and politics, was ultimately applied to war and genocide. And, of course, we must be told enough about the complex scientific concepts to understand what's going on. Clearly, if dryly, written, the book is clearly and dryly read by John Lee in a British accent with what sounds like traces of Scottish. Y.R. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine