[.ca] The SS: Hitler's Instrument of Terror: The full Story ... (ISBN 0760319332)

The complete \oobjective\c guide to the SS.:
This is by far the best book avaliable about the SS anywhere in any language. Mr.Willamson includes a great amount of detail. There are over two hundred (200) pictures. This book covers every aspect of the SS, from their origin in the 1930's to their fall in the mid '40's. There are chapters dedicated to such things as the concentration camps and race policy, to the weapons used by the SS and even the Waffen SS creed and oath of allegiance. The best part, I thought, was that Mr.Williamson takes a completely objective view of the SS, allowing you to draw your own conclusions from the information he provides for you. This is great considering that ususally the SS are played out as evil without any real evidence to support it. Here you can decide for yourself. I.E. Instead of just mentioning the Waffen SS's slaughter of about 20 US P.O.W.'s he goes on to tell of how the US then tortured SS soldiers in an effort to incriminate their officers. Another instance is when a very angry Waffen SS officer orders his troops to burn a passel of French resistance soldiers. It also tells, however that the motives for this (I am NOT justifying) for his orders were his discovery of several unarmed Wermacht medics who were burned alive in their truck and their prisoners mutilated. He dosen't try to justify either side's actions. Just gives you the straight facts, too bad not every political or war book does that. More power to Mr.Williamson, this book is worth every penny of the cost (even shipping!)

The Schutzstaffel with an emphasis on the Waffen-SS:
Many good things can be said about this book. I sought out this book after reading the 'Complete Idiot's Guide to Nazi Germany' and found that it had very little information on the SS. I was surprised at the number of photos and pictures in this book. That was the aspect I liked the most. The overall layout of the book was nice with detailed information on the formation of the SS, day to day tasks, subdivisions of the organization, equipment, atrocities on both the Eastern and Western Fronts, and the foreign legions. However, I feel the book could have used more information on the Gestapo, the SD, and the Einsatzgruppen. The Waffen-SS was given plenty of coverage in regards to its individual divisions and campaigns on the two fronts. I would have to say too much information considering that this was supposed to be a book about the entire SS. The sections on the Waffen SS were excellent, without a doubt. The book should have been given a different title which stresses this fact. Overall, the book was easy to read and flowed well with plenty of fascinating information. The author seemed a bit quick to defend the Waffen SS and some of the atrocities it is accused of, constantly stressing the fact that on the whole they were soldiers like those in the Wehrmacht. Though this may or may not have been true, opinions like this should have been kept to a minimum. The book would have been better if the information was just presented and then proceeded to let the reader decide for him or herself.

The SS Hitlers Instrument of Terror:
A good book for those who are about to begin their collection on the Waffen SS. It details all aspects of the SS from start to end and is extremely informative on all areas including the concentration camps and the more sinister aspects of the SS namely the gestapo and einstazgruppen, A very easy read and well worth the money spent on it

If You See It, You Must Have It:
This is the type of book that can only have been produced outside America. Wow. What well written information. Given to you in concisely few paragraphs and titled columns. It marries information with Oh My God pictures. The cover and pages are printed on first class paper. This book with last centuries. So inscribe something on the inside cover. If you've read The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich you will still find the spot info on the SS and pictures worth the buy. If you know nothing about Hitlers Germany, this book will shock you in a way you ought to be shocked. ALL books should have this presentation style.

A Wonderful Read:
It is an extremely wonderful book. Spectacular! It is highly recommended for those interested in the SS and all of its doings. I would like to recommend Masters of Death : SS-Einsatzgruppen and the Invention of the Holocaust in addition to this book.