Review of Hitler’s Furies by Wendy Lower

Wendy Lower's Hitler's Furies: German Women in the Nazi Killing Fields is a groundbreaking and meticulously researched exploration of the role that German women played in the atrocities committed by the Nazis during World War II. Lower challenges the traditional perceptions of women as passive bystanders in the Holocaust and sheds light on their active participation in the crimes of the Third Reich.

One of the most striking aspects of Lower's book is her focus on the individual stories of women who were directly involved in the perpetration of violence and murder. Through extensive archival research and compelling narrative, she brings to light the experiences of female concentration camp guards, secretaries, nurses, and other women who were complicit in the genocide of millions of people.

Lower's analysis delves into the motivations and actions of these women, exploring the complex interplay of ideology, gender, and personal agency that drove their involvement in the Nazi killing machine. She challenges the simplistic narrative of women as victims of a male-dominated regime, highlighting their agency and the choices they made to participate in acts of extreme brutality.

Furthermore, Lower examines the postwar experiences of these women, exploring how they justified their actions, or in many cases, attempted to distance themselves from their past. By exploring the psychological and emotional aftermath of their involvement in the Holocaust, Lower provides a nuanced understanding of the complexities of guilt, complicity, and responsibility.

Hitler's Furies also raises important questions about gender, power, and complicity in times of mass violence. Lower's work challenges us to reevaluate our understanding of the Holocaust and to confront the uncomfortable reality of women's roles in perpetuating genocide.

In conclusion, Wendy Lower's Hitler's Furies: German Women in the Nazi Killing Fields is a powerful and thought-provoking book that sheds light on a previously overlooked aspect of the Holocaust. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Lower challenges conventional narratives and provides a nuanced understanding of the complexities of women's participation in the crimes of the Third Reich. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the Holocaust, gender studies, and the dynamics of power and complicity in times of mass violence.