On October 16, 1946, former Nazi theorist and ideologue Alfred Rosenberg (1893-1946) met his demise following his conviction at the Nuremberg trials in the wake of World War II. His ideologies and actions had contributed to the Third Reich’s quest for world domination, spearheaded by Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler (1889-1945). Several decades after Rosenberg’s death, researchers discovered the remaining pages of his diary which had been kept hidden by former Nuremberg prosecutor Robert Kempner (1899-1993), who had fled Germany when the Nazis came to power. The discovery raised important questions. Why did Kempner keep the unmarked pages of the diary and what was Rosenberg’s role as the Nazis took over Germany? The answer to the first question is lost to history as Kempner is no longer with us. The answer to the second question is dark and disturbing.

Authors Robert K. Wittman and David Kinney explore the incredible story of Rosenberg’s diary in this book that is a fascinating account of the dysfunction within the Third Reich, its deadly effect on the world, and the events that sealed its fate. However, the story is also about Kempner, whose own life was filled with unbelievable twists and turns. Admittedly, I did not know about him prior to reading this book. I was familiar with lead prosecutor Robert H. Jackson (1892-1954), and have become aware of other officials who fulfilled their duties in bringing the remaining members of the Third Reich’s government to justice. But before the authors go into the war and the fallout from the Allied victory, we first learn about Robert Kempner’s life and the how the diary was discovered.

Today it would be unthinkable that an item of importance such as Rosenberg’s diary could disappear from official archives. After Rosenberg’s death, the diary became moot in prosecuting his crimes but from a historical perspective, its value could not have been overlooked. And had it not been for its discovery in Kempner’s Philadelphia home, it may have been lost forever. The story of how it came to light is interesting but by no means simple.  is quite unorthodox. Further, Kempner’s personal life has its own secrets which the authors do not shy away from. What we learn about him does create a contradiction that is hard not to notice. But it is imperative to remember that Kempner had been forced to flee Germany himself, and his migration to the United States had its own complexities as seen in the story. What is clear is that the Nazis had created an enemy who would come back to haunt them following Germany’s defeat.

Following the discovery of the diary, the story shifts gears and focus is redirected on Hitler’s cabinet and the war. Rosenberg comes off as an odd figure, highly unlikeable and seen as a quack by others. His book ‘The Myth of the Twentieth Century‘ is discussed, and is privately ridiculed. Even Hitler himself takes shots as Rosenberg’s ideology. Publicly the book sold well, but one could argue that not supporting the Nazi party mantra would not have gone over well. Despite his quirks, Hitler kept him close as he continued to plan an all-out assault on Europe. Back in London, officials were keeping an eye on the growing Austrian menace and on September 1, 1939, all doubts were removed when Germany invaded Poland. But why did the Nazis invade? They knew that Britain could come to Poland’s defense. But while reading the book and learning more about Rosenberg, I came to see that the Nazi party was full of deceit and people who had little experience to the world outside of Germany. In fact, Hitler himself had never crossed the Atlantic Ocean. The plots and shaky alliances are on full display here as dirty laundry comes to the surface and scores are settled against those seen as “subversive”. The most chilling example in the book is the “Night of the Long Knives” in June 1934. Rosenberg was power hungry just like Reich Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebbels (1897-1945) and Reichsführer of the Schutzstaffel Heinrich Himmler (1900-1945). Further, he played a crucial role in the tragic “Final Solution“. And through their own words, it is evident that they had little respect for each other and no one thought highly of their co-conspirators. We also learn secrets of the Reich, including the artwork and valuables stashed away in Nazi hideouts to avoid detection. 

On June 22, 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union in what could only described as insanity. Early victories provided Hitler with a premature sense of security but by 1943, reality began to set in as the Russians pushed back and Allied troops continued their march across Europe. The collapse of the Reich plays out here, and the writing is soon on the wall. Rosenberg makes his escape but is eventually captured by Allied forces. And this is the beginning of the end for the fanatical ideologue. Robert Kempner had earned a place working for the U.S. Government, and as seen in the story, he had made overtures to none other than former Federal Bureau of Investigation Director J. Edgar Hoover (1895-1972). He never joined the bureau but found himself in an interesting position when he is asked to return to Germany and assist in Nuremberg. His personal life was still complicated as the authors show, and even when he arrives in Germany, his son Lucian is still going through tribulations of his own. His son’s ordeal is also surreal but highlights the danger that existed for potential “enemies” of the Reich. In Nuremberg, Kempner came face to face with those who had forced him to leave the country of his birth. And through parts of the transcript provided here by the authors, we see him spar verbally with Rosenberg in what can only be described as mind bending.

While reading the snippets from Rosenberg’s trial, I could not help but sit in disbelief at the answers he gave. It was either lunacy or extreme arrogance, but regardless, neither was going to save him from the gallows. But what I found the most disturbing is the disconnect he shows towards his role in the deaths of millions of Jews. This part of the story gave me chills. But it also shows how deeply he believed his own crackpot ideology. Frankly, I can see why Hitler kept him close: he was far more dangerous outside the party than inside of it. After the saga of Rosenberg’s futile attempts at avoiding guilt, the final act plays out. There is no fanfare or celebration at his ending. He is removed from the picture and becomes a footnote to history. However, his diary continues to exist and stands as a window into the madness of the Third Reich. If you are fascinated by World War II and looking for material to expand your knowledge, this should be on your list.

“There is no record in history,” one academic wrote, “of any more pronounced or more uncompromising anti-Jewish polemicist than Alfred Rosenberg.”

ASIN :‎ B00PQRH7VC