Lauren Young

This book explores an uncomfortable topic: the British aristocracy's and upper class' sympathies with Hitler and the Nazis. It focuses largely on the activities of Unity Mitford, but does devote an entire chapter to the Windors, particularly the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Also discussed are numerous right wing clubs and organisations with Nazi sympathies.

The writing style is not always clear and there are times when Young jumps around chronologically without making that apparent to the reader. She, also, at times, is rather repetitive. The most egregious shortcoming of this book, though, is the lack of analysis. Young talks about the fact that large swaths of the British aristocracy and upper class harbored Nazi sympathies,, but she barely even hints at why they did so; what drove these people to support the Nazi cause? Only once did she come close to ascribing their motivation to side with fascism because they saw it as a bulwark against the rising tide of communism in Russia, which was viewed as a greater evil. She completely ignores the nascent rise in subversive Russian and communist movements within Britain. I understand that this may be beyond the intended scope of this book, however, I feel that Young should have at least talked directly about motiovations.

On the whole, even though there was some good information in this book, I found Young's treatment of the topic lacking on this crucial front.… (plus d'informations)

The information presented in this book is important, especially at this time when democracy is so imperiled world wide. The author tells about documents that prove that hitler had support of some in Europe's upper classes. She also tells us that these traitors to their country were rarely or not severely punished because money is power. However, he telling is very unclear, repetitious, and not done chronologically, which makes the book difficult to follow, and the motivations difficult to perceive.… (plus d'informations)