Since I first visited Dachau seven years ago I’ve tried to understand what the average German was thinking that allowed all of this. Seeing the rise of neo-fascism in the US has made this question increasingly urgent. Since then I’ve read dozens of excellent books trying to get up to speed on the history of European fascism and understand what drove it. This is the best book I’ve read on the topic, both as to the mentality if the Nazi zealots and that of typical German citizens. I recommend it highly.