The Occult in National Socialism

The Symbolic, Scientific, and Magical Influences on the Third Reich

De: Stephen E. Flowers Ph.D. Ph.D.

Narrado por: Micah Hanks

• Explores the occult influences on various Nazi figures, including Adolf Hitler, Albert Speer, Rudolf Hess, Alfred Rosenberg, and Heinrich Himmler

• Examines the foundations of the movement laid in the 19th century and continuing in the early 20th century

• Explains the rites and runology of National Socialism, the occult dimensions of Nazi science, and how many of the sensationalist descriptions of Nazi “Satanic” practices were initiated by Church propaganda after the war

In this comprehensive examination of Nazi occultism, Stephen E. Flowers, Ph.D., offers a critical history and analysis of the occult and esoteric streams of thought active in the Third Reich and the growth of occult Nazism at work in movements today.

Sharing the culmination of five decades of research into primary and secondary sources, many in the original German, Flowers looks at the symbolic, occult, scientific, and magical traditions that became the foundations from which the Nazi movement would grow. He details the influences of Theosophy, Volkism, and the work of the Brothers Grimm as well as the impact of scientific culture of the time. Looking at the early 20th century, he describes the impact of Guido von List, Lanz von Liebenfels, Rudolf von Sebottendorf, Friedrich Hielscher, and others.

Examining the period after the Nazi Party was established in 1919, and more especially after it took power in 1933, Flowers explores the occult influences on key Nazi figures, including Adolf Hitler, Albert Speer, Rudolf Hess, and Heinrich Himmler. He analyzes Hitler’s usually missed references to magical techniques in Mein Kampf, revealing his adoption of occult methods for creating a large body of supporters and shaping the thoughts of the masses. Flowers also explains the rites and runology of National Socialism, the occult dimensions of Nazi science, and the blossoming of Nazi Christianity. Concluding with a look at the modern mythology of Nazi occultism, Flowers critiques postwar Nazi-related literature and unveils the presence of esoteric Nazi myths in modern occult and political circles.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Much ink has been spilled on the topic of occult Nazism, but this book goes wider and deeper than most previous literature on this subject. It aims, as the author writes, ‘to bring the question of Nazi occultism into sharper focus with a more refined lens of understanding.’ One of the great merits of the book is that Flowers examines not only the question of the actual nature and extent of occult elements in the Nazi movement and its antecedents but also the huge amount of myth and hype that has grown up around the subject since the end of the Second World War. A central theme of the book is the power of myths, including those that ‘lead to misery and destruction,’ as in the case of the Third Reich. This searching book sheds new light on a troubled subject.”

“Going way beyond the typical sensationalistic tabloid press approach toward the occult undercurrents of National Socialism, as adopted invariably by most authors on the subject for far too many decades, this book is equally a highly welcome counterweight to Nicholas Goodricke-Clarke’s pioneering scholarly study. Himself a well-acknowledged and established occult practitioner as well as an academic scholar, Stephen Flowers deploys the entire arsenal of his critical tradecraft, both emic and etic (in-depth research, shrewd analysis, informed interpretation, historical contextualization, etc.), to present us with a sweeping detailed overview of the contemporary occult and political scene and its eventual culmination in the horrors of World War II and the Holocaust: a sober--and sobering-- depiction that is certain to set new standards for coming research well into the foreseeable future.”

“Although nothing is ‘easy’ about this book--not its argument, subtleties, or beneath-the-floorboards history--Stephen E. Flowers’s study of Nazism and the occult resounds with vitality and depth; this work must be encountered and reckoned with by anyone who hopes to make a serious consideration of its subject.”

Narrator ist Scheise

The narrator’s German pronunciation is shit. Distracting. In a book about Germans one would think a few basic lessons on pronunciation of German words would be in order.

A solid piece of scholarship

This is a solid piece af scholarship about an interesting topic. The author cuts through popular fantasys but throughing light upon what was actually there.

Interesting historical view on occultism in WW2 Germany

The work is nicely historical without the usual hype and unsupported claims about hidden occult treasures and wunderwaffen.
The speaker is clear to understand in English but the obviously prevalent German titles of organizations and books are dreadfully mispronounced. If you understand German, it is quite bewildering/annoying.

Interesting

Some interesting stuff in here and rather detailed. Includes a helpful PDF. The narrators German pronunciation is… glaring.It doesn’t detract too much from what’s being conveyed but it’s rather jarring at times.

Great book, terrible narrator

I can listen to it again and again to catch it all despite how bad the narrator and his otherworldly pronunciations of common words he’s clearly never heard is.

A excellent scholarly approach to this field of study that has been all to cluttered by tabloids and dime store novelists.

Overall, a very good summary of the connections real and imagined between National Socialism and the occult. This book stands out for it’s short biographies of now obscure figures in the inter-war central European occult revival. I would highly recommend this book as both scholarly and entertaining considering the subject matter, if a little repetitive. My only criticism would be Dr. Flowers placing the blame for Nazi antisemitism squarely at the feet of the Christian churches. Which is partially true, but I think it’s overly emphasized and not really substantiated in the book itself, besides an occasional reference Martin Luther and vague accusations of the Catholic Church promoting antisemitism. Overall would highly recommend this book.

Sucks

The narrator sucks. It ruins the whole book. I can’t even concentrate enough on what he’s saying.