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Stephen P. Halbrook
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The Swiss and the Nazis: How the Alpine Republic Survived in the Shadow of the Third Reich Kindle Edition

by Stephen Halbrook (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 124 ratings
The award-winning author of Target Switzerland uses “a wide breadth of research to attempt to answer why Switzerland escaped the Nazi onslaught” (Daly History Blog).

While surrounded by the Axis powers in World War II, Switzerland remained democratic and, unlike most of Europe, never succumbed to the siren songs and threats of the Nazi goliath.

This book tells the story with emphasis on two voices rarely heard. One voice is that of scores of Swiss who lived in those dark years, told through oral history. They mobilized to defend the country, labored on the farms, and helped refugees. The other voice is that of Nazi Intelligence, those who spied on the Swiss and planned subversion and invasion. Exhaustive documents from the German military archives reveals a chilling rendition of attack plans which would be dissuaded in part by Switzerland’s armed populace and Alpine defenses.

Laced with unique maps and photos, the book reveals how the Swiss mobilized an active “spiritual defense” of their country—including the use of the press and cabaret as weapons against totalitarianism—and explores the role of women in the military and economy, the role of Jewish officers in the highest levels of the Swiss army, and the role of Switzerland itself as America’s window on the Reich.

“Halbrook succeeds not only in achieving a thorough analysis of Switzerland’s armed neutrality, but also in revealing through their own voices the willingness of ordinary citizens to accept total war in order to preserve their freedom.”—Swiss American Historical Society Review
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  1. Print length
    515 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Casemate
  4. Publication date
    May 19, 2006
  5. File size
    8.5 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Halbrook has used original Swiss documents, interviews, and a wide breadth of research to attempt to answer why Switzerland escaped the Nazi onslaught."
Daly History Blog

About the Author

Stephen Halbrook, Ph.D., J.D., is author of the award winning Target Switzerland: Swiss Armed Neutrality in World War II, which was also released in German, French, Italian, and Polish. A former philosophy professor and currently an attorney, he has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court and has published widely on on historical issues in politics, law and international affairs. He resides in Fairfax, VA.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004E9TJ2I
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Casemate; 1st edition (May 19, 2006)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 19, 2006
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 8.5 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 515 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 124 ratings

About the author

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Stephen P. Halbrook

Stephen P. Halbrook

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Stephen P. Halbrook is a Senior Fellow at the Independent Institute (independent.org) and holds a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Florida State University. One of the nation’s leading legal scholars and historians on the Second Amendment, he has devoted fifty years to studying the right to keep and bear arms. He argued and won Printz v. United States and other cases in the U.S. Supreme Court, and he represented a majority of members of Congress as amici curiae in the seminal Second Amendment case of District of Columbia v. Heller. Dr. Halbrook’s works have been relied on by Justices Antonin Scalia in the Heller and Samuel Alito in the McDonald decisions, and by courts in numerous other cases on the right to bear arms. Among his books are The Right to Bear Arms: A Constitutional Right of the People or a Privilege of the Ruling Class?; The Founders’ Second Amendment: Origins of the Right to Bear Arms; Securing Civil Rights: Freedmen, the Fourteenth Amendment, and the Right to Bear Arms; That Every Man Be Armed: The Evolution of a Constitutional Right; Gun Control in the Third Reich: Disarming the Jews and “Enemies of the State”; Gun Control in Nazi-Occupied France: Tyranny and Resistance; The Swiss and the Nazis; and Target Switzerland: Swiss Armed Neutrality in World War II.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
124 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and informative, providing a well-researched account of Switzerland's role during World War II. They appreciate its integrity and primary research, which gives readers a clear picture of what the Swiss had to do during the conflict. However, opinions differ on the narrative length - some find it interesting and worth reading, while others feel it can be repetitive at times.

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Writing qualityInformation qualityIntegrityPicture qualityNarrative length
21 customers mention "Writing quality"18 positive3 negative

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They say it's a great read for WWII enthusiasts and an entertaining account of Switzerland's wartime behavior.

"...Anyway, this book is worth reading because it fills in as to why Switzerland was not invaded...." Read more

"...well-written and researched account of Switzerland's role during the Second World War." Read more

"...war affected the allies and axis powers agenda for Switzerland the book is good...." Read more

"Interesting narrative that was worth the time to read.Historically important" Read more

18 customers mention "Information quality"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's information interesting and well-researched. They say it provides a clear account of the life of Swiss in WWII, showing history as no teacher or TV would. The book is described as a scholarly study of important aspects of WWII that helps them understand their parents' experiences.

"...but after reading this book I had a much clearer picture and better understanding...." Read more

"...I enjoyed this book because it lent a greater understanding of what my parents and grandparents endured..." Read more

"Excellent book, shows history as noteacher or TV will tell you...." Read more

"...well-written and researched account of Switzerland's role during the Second World War." Read more

3 customers mention "Integrity"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's integrity and primary research. They find it steady and thorough.

"This book was as fortified with primary research, as Switzerland's borders were with bunkers...." Read more

"...The Swiss are a unique people with more guts and integrity than just about any other country involved in anyway during that era." Read more

"Steadfast, but incomplete..." Read more

3 customers mention "Picture quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's pictures. They find the images helpful for understanding what the Swiss had to do.

"...The information within the book was new to me and gave me a great picture of what the Swiss had to do to maintain their neutrality...." Read more

"...Some good period pictures, anecdotal accounts, etc. It was worth the buy, but probably not a book I'll re-read." Read more

"...Finally chose to buy the paperback copy to read again. I love the pictures that it has in it as well...." Read more

11 customers mention "Narrative length"7 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the narrative length. Some find it interesting and worthwhile, bringing to light an untold story of good news during WWII. They appreciate the period pictures and anecdotal accounts. However, others feel it's a bit of a slog to get through each chapter due to dry writing and repetitive details.

"...Found this book on Amazon and had to read this. It has opened my eyes to a very terrible time, how it was like for my parents, my mother pregnant..." Read more

"Interesting narrative that was worth the time to read.Historically important" Read more

"Stephen Holbrook brings to light stories of hope, defiance and compassion, that are so often overlooked among the vast historical record of World..." Read more

"...I will say he does seem to be overly repetitive regarding some issues – for example between his books he always stresses over and over again about..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • SassyFpT
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on Hitler time and how it affected Switzerland
    Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I was born in Switzerland in 1944 and I always wanted to know what it was like living in Switzerland having two babies. My parents are gone now so I couldn't ask them. Found this book on Amazon and had to read this. It has opened my eyes to a very terrible time, how it was like for my parents, my mother pregnant and had already a newborn to care for. We lived on the Swiss/German borders and, my father was working as a border patrol soldier. He would walk the border and travel on the trains.

    It had to be difficult I thought, but after reading this book I had a much clearer picture and better understanding. Switzerland is a very small country, but it was important to Hitler because most of the imports came through Switzerland via train. Germany needed this open. Switzerland would have blown up all train tracks at the first moment that Hitler made any attempt at invading. Without our train system functioning the countries he had occupied all around Switzerland would have lost central access to transport of goods. Hitler said: "Die Schweiz, das kleine Stachelschwein, nehme ich auf dem Heimweg ein!"
    Anyway, this book is worth reading because it fills in as to why Switzerland was not invaded. It covers daily life and hardship, the Jewish fugitives coming from every country around Switzerland and further. Yet Switzerland is small and this influx was a tremendous hardship for everyone, shortness of food, lack of housing, and constant fear of when it would happen that Hitler would force himself into this small country. The consequences if that happened would have been devastating for the fugitives we sheltered.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • M
    4.0 out of 5 stars A difficult read, but worth it for WWII historians
    Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    As a Swiss-American citizen whose parents grew up in Switzerland during World War II, this book was of particular interest to me. The book appears to be written in response to the recent claims that Switzerland was aiding and abetting Nazi Germany. The factual history of Switzerland's precarious position (surrounded by the Axis, needing resources to sustain its population and those of the refugees flooding in from all over Europe, trying to defend itself from Nazi factions both without and within its borders) was never discussed by my parents. In fact, they refused to discuss that time (ages 10-17 for them) at all, only mentioning that they were "hard." This book sheds light on the military, political, social, and cultural concerns faced by the republic that comprised Switzerland's World War II experience, incorporating many first-hand accounts through interviews and primary resources. I enjoyed this book because it lent a greater understanding of what my parents and grandparents endured (both grandfathers were riflemen, one in the ski patrol), although I found the book repetitive in many parts, and slightly disjointed in its writing approach. I would recommend it because of its primary resources, and because it lends the context to anyone debating Switzerland's role in World War II.
    One person found this helpful
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  • LRJ
    5.0 out of 5 stars The true history and nothing but the true history
    Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent book, shows history as noteacher or TV will tell you. Having lived in Switzerland for 30 years, I know that the Swiss will never defend themselves. So all the abuse from US Senators and other people about the behaviour of Switzerland in WWII was never corrected. This book, not written by a Swiss, shows and proves what happened. What a precarious way to live, between two evil powers, knowing they can overrun you easily and depending on them for much of your food and other items needed for everiday life. And taking in far more refugees than any other country! How about the ship with over 1000 German Jews both Britain and the USA refused to accept? They were sent back to die in the gas chambers! And yet, especially the USA were in no imminent danger, they were just antisemitic! Switzerland took in over 240'000 refugees, forcing its population to cut down on food to help out the refugees, the downed US airmen and soldiers from various countries who had escaped. And Switzerland hat only 4 million inhabitants!
    If you want to learn about how to be diplomatic, stay true to your convictions and stand up for what you believe, this shows you the best example.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Michael J Haspel
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well-Written and Researched Swiss History
    Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This book was as fortified with primary research, as Switzerland's borders were with bunkers. The author recounts the history of Switzerland's role during the Second World War. He does so without personal interjection and opinions, but rather from a central neutral position.

    well-written and researched account of Switzerland's role during the Second World War.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Jonathan Mattson
    3.0 out of 5 stars I would have preferred the author written one book on switzerland, not two. Some very repetitive aspects covered between them
    Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I read two of his books about Switzerland in the second world war. If you are looking for a book that details all the espionage going on regarding Switzerland this is not your book. But if you want to know about the Switzerland experience in the war, how the citizens lived, how the swiss government conducted their business during the war, and how the ebb and flow of the war affected the allies and axis powers agenda for Switzerland the book is good.

    I will say he does seem to be overly repetitive regarding some issues – for example between his books he always stresses over and over again about how they are such great shots, everyone has a rifle, and how the government doesn’t have one figure head who can decide on their own whim to surrender the nation. After the first few times, and after the first book it did seem to get a little old.

    In reality, I think he should have condensed his two books into one book and tried to eliminate all the repetition and I think he would have been better served in my opinion. Not sure if there is really enough meat on the bone to justify two fairly detailed books regarding Switzerland from the same author.
    8 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • DcsW
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 7, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Brilliant read if you like a bit of history
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  • J. Cabello
    3.0 out of 5 stars more than slightly biased
    Reviewed in Germany on October 7, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Extremely well documented, at times even repetitive. Nevertheless it would have been an extraordinary book had it made the same effort in also showing some of the negative parts of Switzerland's participation in WWII.
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good overall, interesting
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 1, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    An interesting book, many things I didn't know about Switzerlands war effort in preparation for invasion,drags a little in parts does tend to be a bit repetitive in parts when trying to get point across.
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  • Lutero
    1.0 out of 5 stars Repetitive, unstructured and glorifying
    Reviewed in Germany on August 11, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    There are a lot of boring details being repeated in different chapters trying to overwhelmingly convince the reader about the determination of the Swiss during WW II to resist the Nazi threat. While it seems absolutely credible that the general population was prepared to fight for its freedom the examples of other brave peoples like the Jugoslavs or the Greeks with similar terrains and even substantial British aid (e.g. Crete) show that if Germany had not started its war in the East Switzerland most likely would have been overrun. Fortunately this never happened. However, the author should have been more realistic in his assessments.
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  • Jim Crawford
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 25, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Perfect!
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