Summary

Éric Vuillard's "The Order of the Day" delves into the intricate and often unsettling machinations behind the rise of Nazi Germany, revealing the complicity of industrial giants and the diplomatic failures that paved the way for World War II. The narrative opens in February 1933, with a clandestine meeting of German industrialists, including the heads of Opel, Krupp, Siemens, and Bayer, who pledge substantial financial support to Hitler, seeking the stability he promises. This pivotal moment underscores the underlying theme of the book: the disturbing alliance between corporate interests and political extremism.

Vuillard meticulously dissects the strategies employed by Hitler to annex Austria, highlighting the psychological warfare waged against Chancellor Schuschnigg and the appeasement policies of European leaders. The author masterfully portrays the invasion of Austria, not as a display of military might, but as a chaotic operation marred by technical difficulties and logistical nightmares, exposing the vulnerabilities concealed beneath the veneer of the legendary German army. The book further scrutinizes the diplomatic missteps and moral compromises of key figures like Lord Halifax, whose visit to Germany in 1937, marked by superficial cordiality and a failure to grasp the true nature of the Nazi regime, epitomizes the policy of appeasement.

The narrative extends to the annexation of Austria, detailing Schuschnigg's desperate attempts to maintain independence and the eventual capitulation to Hitler's demands. The author vividly recounts the intimidation tactics, the farcical plebiscite, and the wave of suicides that followed, painting a bleak picture of a nation succumbing to totalitarian rule. Vuillard masterfully juxtaposes the grand historical events with intimate, human stories, such as the account of Günther Stern, a Jewish émigré working as a props manager in Hollywood, where Nazi uniforms are already cataloged even before the war begins. This poignant detail underscores the sense of historical inevitability and the commodification of historical events.

As the story progresses, the narrative revisits the key players, including Göring and Ribbentrop, scrutinizing their actions and motivations. The author juxtaposes historical events with the grim realities of the concentration camps, highlighting the moral bankruptcy of those who profited from the Nazi regime. The book culminates in a haunting reflection on the legacy of these events, questioning the collective memory and the responsibility of individuals in the face of historical atrocities. Vuillard's "The Order of the Day" is a powerful indictment of corporate greed, political opportunism, and the catastrophic consequences of moral compromise, urging readers to confront the uncomfortable truths of the past and remain vigilant against the forces that can lead to such devastation.