Julian Flanders is the author of three books. The Hitler Youth was published last month. It is the 77th book I completed reading in 2024.

Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! I categorize this book as G.

The Hitler Youth was formed in 1926, and by 1940 the organization boasted nearly 9 million members. The author begins the book with a detailed description of how Germany evolved in the late 19th century as it unified. A substantial part of the book looks at the rise to power of the Nazi party.

While a youth movement was begun in 1922, it was not until July 1926 that a Nazi-associated youth group was formed. In 1933, all other youth groups were outlawed in Germany. The Hitler Youth appealed to most students. There were weekday meetings, but most of the youth looked forward to the outdoor activities on the weekend. The camping trips and sports events appealed to most of the youth.

Hitler had been a poor student, so he thought little of the education system. Hitler Youth activities interfered with schooling, but Hitler saw those activities as being more important than a formal education. By December of 1936, participation in Hitler Youth had become mandatory for all children 10 to 18. Boys were trained in skills that would facilitate their transition into the military. For girls, the focus was on child-rearing and homemaking.

The Hitler Youth divided families, with their activities taking precedence over parental wishes. Meetings and activities pulled youth away from home. If parents opposed participation in the Hitler Youth, they might be reported, sometimes by their own children. This could result in their imprisonment.

Towards the end of the war, as Germany struggled against the onslaught of the Russians from the east and British and American forces from the west, Hitler Youth of 13 (or younger) were absorbed into the military.

I enjoyed the 7+ hours I spent reading this 271-page WWII history. The book spent far more time describing the conditions in Germany and the growth of the Nazis than I expected. While there was material about the Hitler Youth, it was not as extensive as I had expected. I like the chosen cover art. I give this book a rating of 3.8 out of 5.

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The Hitler Youth by Julian Flanders is an insightful and meticulously researched account of one of the most unsettling and significant aspects of Nazi Germany’s history. Flanders explores the indoctrination of young people through the Hitler Youth organization, examining how the regime manipulated and shaped the minds of an entire generation. The book delves into the psychological and social mechanisms used to control and influence German youth, as well as the lasting impact this had on those who were a part of it. Through compelling narratives and historical analysis, Flanders sheds light on a dark chapter in history, offering readers a deeper understanding of the dangers of propaganda, totalitarianism, and the exploitation of the young. It is a thought-provoking read, essential for those interested in World War II history and the complex dynamics of youth indoctrination.

"The Hitler Youth" by Julian Flanders is a compelling and thought-provoking read that delves into the complexities of youth, indoctrination, and the impact of ideology on the lives of young people during one of history's darkest periods. Flanders masterfully intertwines personal narratives with historical context, creating a vivid portrayal of the experiences faced by the youth of Nazi Germany.

What I particularly enjoyed about this book is Flanders' ability to humanize the young individuals involved in the Hitler Youth movement. He presents their motivations, struggles, and the societal pressures they faced, allowing readers to understand how easily impressionable minds can be shaped by powerful ideologies. Flanders' writing style is engaging and accessible. He balances factual information with emotional depth, ensuring that readers are not only educated but also moved by the stories of these young people. The use of personal anecdotes and testimonies adds authenticity and depth to the narrative.

Flanders has succeeded in crafting a narrative that is both enlightening and poignant, reminding us of the importance of critical thinking and the dangers of blind allegiance.

The German Youth Movement (German: Die deutsche Jugendbewegung) is a collective term for a cultural and educational movement that started in 1896. It consists of numerous associations of young people that focus on outdoor activities.
In 1896 the Wandervogel, a popular movement of youth groups who protested against industrialization, was founded in Berlin, and its members soon derived many vital concepts from the ideas of earlier social critics and Romantics, ideas that had extensive influence on many fields at the onset of the 20th century.To escape the repressive and authoritarian German society at the end of the 19th century, its values increasingly transformed by industrialism, imperial militarism, as well as by British and Victorian influence, groups of young people searched for free space to develop a healthy life of their own away from the expanding cities. Expressing a romantic longing for a pristine state of things and older diverse cultural traditions, they turned to nature, confraternity, and adventure. Soon, the groups split, and ever more organisations were founded.
After the WWI, the leaders returned disillusioned from the war. The same was true for leaders of German Scouting. So both movements started to influence each other heavily in Germany. From the Wandervogel came a stronger culture of hiking, adventure, bigger tours to farther places, romanticism, and a younger leadership structure. Scouting brought uniforms, flags, more organisations, more camps, and a clearer, more rational ideology. Together, this led to the emergence of the Bündische Jugend, a movement of many different youth associations.New styles and groups developed.
During the Nazi regime, the notion of a 'Volksgemeinschaft', a people's community, was popular. The Nazi state did not allow any youth groups separate from the Hitler Youth, since they wanted to indoctrinate them on Nazi ideals.The groups remaining outside the Hitler Youth were outlawed and pursued,while some of them, tried to carry on.The Youth Movement was very idealistic, romantic and moral. Therefore, its members tended to take greater risks in following and acting upon their beliefs and persuasions.

A love a historical read. WWII was such a hard piece of history to comprehend and no matter how many historical accounts you read, there is always something new to learn.

A great read for those that study World War II. The Hitler Youth was a crazy idea that became a last resort

A good historical resource on a complicated, strange, and unnerving part of 20th century history. Has a lot to ponder in regards to the messaging we give to young people even in other contexts.

(I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

A look at how & why the Nazis were successful in raising a generation of children whom, in many cases, were far more intense in their belief in Hitler & his aims than the older generations. The early groups of young people which grew in popularity from the end of the 19th century, such as the Wandervögel (Wandering Birds) who wanted to return to nature by going on woodland hikes etc were gradually taken over by the Nazis for their own purposes.

The focus on physical fitness was twisted into the belief that this was crucial as the 'superior race' & uniforms were introduced which soon became more militaristic. Even the initial greeting of a raised arm & 'Heil' was repurposed. Soon no other groups except the Hitler Youth (Hitlerjugend) were allowed & at their high point, 90% of German children were enrolled in this & the girls' equivalent, the BDM.

If one has wondered how German soldiers could carry out such orders & cruelty as the Holocaust, then look no further than the example of the Hitler Youth who were indoctrinated from a very young age via school & the propaganda at their group meetings. Towards the end of the war, children as young as 10-12 years of age were manning anti-aircraft guns & committing acts of sabotage against the Allies. There is also information about those who stood up against the Nazis such as the group of young people known as the White Rose.

It's a fascinating read. The first two chapters, which cover the political situation before the outbreak of WWII, are a little harder to follow but the rest of the book is well-written & keeps the reader's attention. The photographs included were also interesting & were a nice addition. I recommend this to anyone who has an interest in military history.

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Arcturus Publishing, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinion are completely my own.

Wonderfully detailed and Straight forward book about the rise of the Hitler Tough. I didn't realize how long the organization was around.

A great research and learning tool that answers the why these men and woman were indoctrinated

I found The Hitler Youth, by Julian Flanders, to present an interesting picture of how an organization can start off with good intentions and gradually morph into something more seriously disturbing. Hitler's youth organizations eventually took the place of all other youth groups, and while at first they offered companionship, with lots of exercise and some learning, came to resemble youth boot camps, where both boys--and girls in their separate organizations--were enrolled from a very early age. Parents that didn't enrol their kids wer pressured to do so or risk jobs, advancement, etc. Boys were trained to become skilled in paramilitary things, while girls endured the exact opposite; they were trained to learn to be good wives, mothers, and housekeepers, and were discouraged from working outside the home after having kids, which was their primary duty according to the Nazis.

It is amazing how the Hitler Youth took over the lives of almost every child in the 3rd Reich from the 1930's to the end of the war, and so many of those children who had actually HAD to fight by 1945 in a defeated Germany, still fanatically believed in Hitler's vision of a 3rd Reich to last 1000 years. No wonder denazification was practically top of the agenda in post-war Germany, for both adults and kids. This really was a worthwhile read for me, and shows just how easily a few can overwhelm the many.

A fascinating look at the power ideology can have over a population. Both sad and terrifying from the sheer pervasiveness, this book manages to give a well-balanced study.

Julian Flanders sets out in his book, ‘The Hitler Youth’, something of a challenge to the reviewer. With such a clear title it might be expected that the unwavering focus would be the history and development of the infamous organisation that came to be known as the Hitlerjugend. However, this ruthless focus is not an especially characteristic feature of Mr Flanders’ work. Fortunately, the rather more wide ranging social history of Germany from the First World War to the end of the Second World War in Europe, serves to illuminate rather than to distract, and most readers will emerge having read the book with a well-founded understanding of how a ruthless state can mould the attitudes and beliefs of a significant majority of the population. His insistence on framing the experience of the German people and State in the first half of the twentieth century against a background of the birth of the wider German nation since the middle years of the nineteenth century is to be commended.
A troubling but nonetheless highly informative book, The Hitler Youth is highly recommended.

THE HITLER YOUTH: HOW GERMANY INDOCTRINATED A NEW GENERATION by Julian Flanders began with a quick but thorough overview of what led Hitler to gain power in Germany in the 1930’s. The subject is not an easy one, but treatment in this book sets the stage well for the incorporation of information regarding the Hitler Youth (Hitler-Jugend) and subsequently The League of German Girls (Bund Deutscher Mädel).

The involvement and impact of the youth of Germany before and during the war is well known. It is familiar to most that young Germans fought for their country, especially in the last months. What Julian Flanders does in The Hitler Youth is mingle the broad strokes of the German population and movements toward war with the development and growth of the youth movement.

The book explores the indoctrination of the developing minds of youth 10-18 years old, especially in the educational system which was totally taken over by the Nazi party. Young people were fed only Nazi approved propaganda to the point they were willing to turn in their parents or educators. Ultimately this mindset led these youth to fight for a cause when they often had not been exposed to an alternative way, or even individual way, of thinking.

The Hitler Youth was a new and interesting look at how humans can be exploited by other humans, all in the interest of a few. It is a quick and worthy, if sometimes disjointed, read to add knowledge to our understanding of history and human psychology.

I was provided an advance copy of this book by NetGalley but the review is totally by own opinion.

3.75 (rounded to 4)/5

The Hitler Youth by Julian Flanders is a well-written account of how Hitler and the Nazi Party swayed and indoctrinated the German population, particularly the youth. Flanders explored the shocking ease of manipulating an entire people through strategic political movement, strong propaganda, and focusing heavily on influencing the youth (beginning as young as age 3) through new education systems and youth organizations.

I found the first two chapters a bit hard to follow, as they highlighted a large chunk of German and European history jumping back and forth between different time periods and conflicts. Nonetheless, I thought this was a great book, with a well-written breakdown of the rise of Hitler and the Nazi party from the 1920s-1940s heavily focusing on the Hitlerjugend and its girls' counterpart Bund Deutscher Madel. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about this period of history.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy, all thoughts are my own!

(The book will be published on September 1, 2024.)

The Hitler Youth by Julian Flanders is an excellent learning tool to show how easily the German citizens, and especially the youth, were indoctrinated into Nazi ideology.

Mr. Flanders explored how Hitler rose to power and immediately started changing everything from early education on up to start Nazism from the earliest of learning experiences for the German children. He goes in depth in showing how it became the central way the children and teens interacted with each other and were made to participate to fit in.

This was a very educational and mostly easy read to read about the most terrifying time in our history.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

(The book will be published on September 1, 2024.)

THE HITLER YOUTH: HOW GERMANY INDOCTRINATED A NEW GENERATION provides a new-old answer to the complicated question of why ordinary Germans participated in discriminate killings of the undesirables.

Julian Flanders traces the origins of youth movements in general and Hitlerjugend in particular, showing how, with time, idyllic ideas of comradeship took a paramilitary turn under the supervision of SA. After Hitler's ascension to power in 1933, the Nazi Party quickly reformed the education system to indoctrinate children as young as 3 with racial theory, and by the time children turned 18, they were fully trained as soldiers and demonstrated fanaticism more fierce than adults. Since all other youth organizations were banned, Hitlerjugend and its girls' counterpart Bund Deutscher Mädel were the only opportunities to socialize in Nazi Germany. Ideologically prepared youngsters replenished the ranks of Wehrmacht - and even SS and Einsatzgruppen - during WW2. The most horrible photo in the book shows Hitler giving medals to children, some aged 10, on the 20th of April 1945, for the defense of Berlin.

My precise rating of THE HITLER YOUTH is 3.5 stars rounded to 4. The story looks a little bit hectic. I got lost in time while reading the first two chapters, where the narrative jumps from one youth movement to another. Some events like the filming of the movie 'Triumph to the Will' or SA leadership's annihilation are shown twice, with different wordings, to illustrate various aspects of the time. A history of youth resistance movements in the 1930s divides the story of the 12th Panzer Division, 'The Baby Division,' into two parts. The stories of individual children are distributed within several chapters, thus they are hard to follow (the same problem I had with PROMISE ME YOU'LL SHOOT YOURSELF: THE DOWNFALL OF ORDINARY GERMANS, 1945 by Florian Huber).

Still, the book got four stars since it's a compelling, very readable summary of Germany's 1920-40s. Most of THE HITLER YOUTH, describing Nazi policy and events on different fronts, would be familiar to history buffs. But is it possible to dissect Hitlerjugend's history separately from the Third Reich? To me, revisiting well-known facts felt like coming home without realizing I had been homesick all this time.

I received an advanced review copy through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is such an eye opening book which will help modern readers understand how Hitler rose to power and how the German nation was convinced to go to war, and worse. The author provides useful context about wider events in Europe to fully set the scene of this and the photographs included, while a bit hard to see in kindle format, add a great deal to the sense of understanding how things were. Well researched, measured in tone and language and thoroughly engaging.