Summary
"Der totale Rausch: Drogen im Dritten Reich" by Norman Ohler delves into the largely unexplored intersection of drug use and Nazi Germany, revealing how deeply intertwined these elements were. It argues that despite the Nazi regime's outward stance against drugs and promotion of racial hygiene, stimulants, especially methamphetamine, played a significant role in the functioning of the state and its military operations.
The book uncovers that during the invasion of France in 1940, Wehrmacht soldiers were under the influence of 35 million doses of Pervitin, a methamphetamine-based drug, highlighting its role in enabling the 'Blitzkrieg' tactics. Hitler himself, often portrayed as an abstemious figure, regularly received injections of various substances from his personal physician, Dr. Theo Morell, including opiates stronger than heroin, to maintain his physical and psychological state, especially towards the end of the war.
Ohler's research, based on previously locked archival documents, interviews with experts, and analyses of personal accounts, challenges conventional understandings of the Third Reich. It exposes a dual narrative where the state officially condemned drug use while unofficially relying on pharmacological substances to fuel its military and maintain the functionality of its leadership. The book also touches upon the pharmaceutical industry's boom during the Nazi era, driven by the demand for performance-enhancing substances.
The author further explores the dark side of this reliance on drugs, including the use of concentration camp prisoners for drug testing and the manipulation of drug policies to align with racial hygiene ideologies, leading to the persecution of drug users, especially those from marginalized communities.
"Der totale Rausch" reveals a crucial yet overlooked aspect of Nazi Germany, illustrating how deeply chemical substances penetrated the highest echelons of power and significantly influenced the course of history. It challenges readers to reconsider their understanding of this period by acknowledging the role of drugs in shaping the actions and decisions of both leaders and followers within the Third Reich.