Publication Date: September 10, 2013
Print Length: 304 pages
Previous Author Publications:
The Lobotomist: A Maverick Medical Genius and His Tragic Quest to Rid the World of Mental Illness (2005)
SYNOPSIS
At the end of World War 2, Captain Douglas Kelley, an American army psychiatrist, was tasked with judging whether the Nazi leaders were psychologically fit to stand trial at the upcoming Nuremberg court. In this nonfiction account, Jack El-Hai recounts how Kelly sought to answer whether there were psychological patterns among the Nazi leaders that led them to commit crimes against humanity.
Using Kelley’s notes, El-Hai presents an intriguing portrait of the Nazi leaders as they justified the roles they played while war crimes were committed. Kelley observed that many of the Nazi leaders showed signs of narcissism, arrogance and paranoia, yet he observed that they were not strikingly unique, leading him to conclude that similar barbaric atrocities could be committed by more seemingly normal men.
REVIEWS AND AUTHOR INFORMATION
Sani, Leyla, “The Nazi and the Psychiatrist, By Jack El-Hai: Book Review – Fascinating Account of the Army Doctor who Studied Nazi Personality.” Independent, January 2014. The Nazi and the Psychiatrist, By Jack El-Hai: Book review – fascinating account of the army doctor who studied Nazi personality | The Independent | The Independent.
Polner, Murray, “Review of Jack El-Hai’s “The Nazi and the Psychiatrist.” History News Network, October 21, 2013. Review of Jack El-Hai’s “The Nazi and the Psychiatrist” — History News Network
El-Hai, Jack, “The Nazi and the Psychiatrist,” Scientific American, January 2011. The Nazi and the Psychiatrist | Scientific American
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What does El-Hai’s book reveal about the various personalities among the Nazi leaders he studied? How were the same and how were they different?
In what ways did advances in psychological testing aid Captain Kelley and American psychologist, Gustave Gilbert in their assessments? How conclusive were the Rorschach test results?
In what ways did Captain Kelley struggle with his own demons?
Does El-Hai present convincing evidence that Nazi leaders were no different than other men in their ambitions and decision-making? Have the leaders of other countries pursued similar crimes against humanity?
