"The class saw a film about the Nazi Regime. They can't believe why people didn't do anything against the Nazis. Ross (the teacher) can't give an answer to the questions. It must be something one could only understand by being there or if possible by creating a similar situation. In the next history lesson Ross wrote on the blackboard: 'Strength through Discipline'. This was the first part of his experiment. When he is talking about discipline he is talking about power and success. From that point the students became more interested."
This is only the beginning of this novel that the teacher Ben Ross who started the experience wrote under a pseudonym. The book is based on a true life story which happened in a high school in Palo Alto, Californa.
This novel is extremely interesting. I read it in school and we talked about it and I had my sons read it when they were old enough. I think everyone should read it because it explains a lot. Having been born into post-war Germany and having to live with our history my whole life, it helped me to understand some things I probably might not have understood that way.
The author found a great way to teach everyone why you can be drawn into evil and why we should never forget how this can happen but also not point fingers because we never know what we might have done.
I am not sure about the date of the novel, though, I was sure I read it in school but I had left school quite a while before 1981.
See more comments on my ThrowbackThursday post in 2023.
I've heard about this book, Marianne & it sounds like an important read especially and I appreciate your view as a German.
ReplyDeleteI know a lady who came here with her family years ago. Her dad was a boy soldier in the German Army and fortunately for him he was taken as a POW in France so didn't see much action. She said her parents had some strong ideas that she had to work hard to rid them of - they'd accepted that when they got to a certain age they would choose euthanasia so they wouldn't be a burden etc. That's what they'd imbibed during the Nazi years.
Oh gosh, Carol. Yes, that was one of their doctrines. If you weren't capable of working you weren't "worth" anything.
DeleteIf you're interested, read my review of Belonging: A German Reckons With History and Home b Nora Krug where I also talk about my family's history. You might even want to read the book.
Interesting. I have never heard of this one
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's a very widely known one, Emma. Otherwise you certainly would know about it. However, it's worth reading. Today maybe even more than in the eighties.
DeleteAh, looks like I had already read your review! Yes, with all the recent events, definitely even more worth reading now
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't blame you for forgetting about your post, it's been ten years. Can you believe we have known each other for so long?
DeleteAnyway, I totally agree, it is worth reading now more than ever.
Wow, sounds like a powerful read!! I will add it to my reading wishlist. Thank you for sharing the link to your review.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Lisa. I am sure you will like the story and tell others about it just as I did. Looking forward to your review.
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