Top 10 Books Burned by the Nazis

The rise of the Nazi regime in Germany during the 1930s was marked by a disturbing campaign against intellectual freedom. One of the most notorious events was the burning of books deemed “un-German” and a threat to the ideology of the Nazi party. This systematic destruction of literature aimed to eradicate dissenting voices and control the narrative. Here are ten books that fell victim to this dark chapter in history.

1. “All Quiet on the Western Front” by Erich Maria Remarque (1929)

This anti-war novel, which vividly portrayed the harsh realities of World War I, was condemned by the Nazis for its pacifist message and deemed detrimental to the glorification of war.

2. “The Diary of Anne Frank” by Anne Frank (1947)

Though not burned during the Nazi era, this poignant diary was later targeted by neo-Nazis. Anne Frank’s firsthand account of hiding from the Nazis during World War II stands as a powerful testament to the human spirit, making it a target for those who wished to suppress such narratives.

3. “Doctor Zhivago” by Boris Pasternak (1957)

Pasternak’s masterpiece, critical of the Soviet regime, was not only banned in the USSR but faced condemnation by the Nazis as well. Its exploration of individualism clashed with the totalitarian ideologies of both regimes.

4. “The Communist Manifesto” by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels (1848)

Despite being an influential work, the Nazis burned this foundational text of communism as part of their broader campaign against leftist ideologies.

5. “The Works of Sigmund Freud” (Various)

The Nazis targeted the writings of Freud and other psychoanalysts, viewing them as a threat to their promotion of a homogenous society. The burning of Freud’s works aimed to eliminate any psychological perspectives that contradicted Nazi ideology.

6. “The Trial” by Franz Kafka (1925)

Kafka’s works, including “The Trial,” were burned for their existential themes and critique of oppressive bureaucratic systems. The Nazis sought to extinguish literature challenging their authoritarian rule.

7. “Mein Kampf” by Adolf Hitler (1925)

Ironically, Hitler’s own manifesto was not subject to the book burnings. Instead, it was promoted by the regime, reinforcing the selective nature of the censorship campaign.

8. “The Second Sex” by Simone de Beauvoir (1949)

Deemed a threat due to its exploration of women’s roles in society, this feminist classic was condemned by the Nazis as they sought to control narratives that deviated from their prescribed gender norms.

9. “The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich” by William L. Shirer (1960)

The Nazis burned books that contradicted their historical narratives. Shirer’s comprehensive account of Nazi Germany was, therefore, targeted for its objective analysis that exposed the darker aspects of their regime.

10. “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley (1932)

Huxley’s dystopian vision clashed with the Nazis’ vision of a controlled society. The book’s exploration of the consequences of a totalitarian regime made it a target for their book-burning campaign.