I know Hitler had aristocratic supporters and was most familiar with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, but I had no idea how many. The book started off with an introduction to the main characters and it was quite a list. I was shocked by some of the names who supported Hitler and his ideas. It was a bit disturbing to see how there are some things from back then that are occurring now in politics. There was a lot of information but the book flowed nicely and appears to be well researched. I recommend this book.

This excellent book horrified me. I knew of course about some of the more high-profile Hitler supporters before the war, but I had no idea of the depth of support for Hitler and fascism among the industrialists and celebrities of Britain and especially America. It is quite shocking and scary.

Susan Ronald has written a well-researched, informative book about this important aspect of the pre-war period. This is not a light work, but it moves along holding the reader's interest. There are echoes, sometimes strong, of our present day political scene, enough to make me apprehensive, which actually makes this book even more valuable. Highly recommended.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I enjoyed this book very much and would recommend it to readers interested in history. I very much enjoy reading historical history, and while the situations and conversations are mostly fictional, it is still fascinating to feel like “a fly on the wall” being privy to so called conversations and details. In Hitler’s Aristocrats by Susan Ronald, however, one learns about the real thing. The real situations and conversations and the powerful people involved. I was surprised to hear all the names. Some like, Duke and Duchess of Windsor and the Moseleys, are familiar to me from my fiction reading. However, I was surprised about the likes of Lindberg, Kennedy, the Astors, Bedaux, Coughlin, etc. Familiar names but never knew about their involvement. Nothing is glossed over about all the individuals in this book and the part they played both big and small in the rise of Nazism and Hitler. All and all this book while being fascinating was also informative. Albeit a little scary in the present times.

Hitler's Aristocrats by Susan Roland is not a light read. While the entire book is extremely well researched it is very dry. I found myself lost in all the characters and events. There were tidbits of fascinating information like Henry Ford was the American who Hitler admired most. The Duke of Windsor after his abdication was a major admirer of Hitler as was Charles Lindbergh and Joseph Kennedy. The Aristocrats who Ms. Roland focused on were French, British and American. This is literally a deep dive into the wealthy and powerful who supported Hitler directly or indirectly by being anti-semitic and supporting communism. Susan Roland must have been researching this book for years. While we all know that hindsight is 20/20 I fail to understand how these prominent individuals were fascinated by the Nazi’s.
I would like to thank Susan Roland, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hitler's Aristocrats
By Susan Ronald

This book explains the reasons why various aristocrats and leaders of financial empires throughout Europe and the United States were, in the 1920s-1940s, drawn into Hitler's sphere of influence. Some were of the nobility who were displaced by the break-up of the Hapsburg Empire following "the Great War" and the Russian revolution, which disenfranchised the white aristocrats of Czarist Russia. Others, such as the heir to the British throne who became Edward VIII and a strong supporter of Hitler's Nazism, were disillusioned with the status quo at home. Industrialists – both from within Germany and from the United States and other countries – colluded to advance their profits and power over the best interests of their people.

The international malaise following World War I and the Treaty of Versailles was exacerbated by the global depression which followed. The German people longed for relief from the onerous treaty and for a leader to return Germany to preeminence in the world. But above all, it was the charisma of Hitler himself around which the various faction coalesced.

The author has done a good job here of tying together all the disparate people and groups who supported the Nazi regime and nearly allowed it to take over the world.

Hitler's Aristocrats is a fascinating and compelling book about a surprising number of staunch anti-Semitic and Hitler supporters in high standing across Great Britain, America and France, many who revered him until their deaths. They were propagandists, agents, ingratiators, sympathizers, inveiglers, advisors and investors. Others knew about the heinous tortures and murders yet turned a blind eye. Though not always overt, they had his back in one way or the other, even by doing nothing.

Many of this group were known to me such as the indomitably loyal Princess Stephanie and several of the Mitford family who were intrinsic in Hitler's barbaric rule. Unity Mitford and Hitler were close personally. Freeman-Mitford finally grew disgusted with the regime when he came to his senses in 1939. Henry Ford and the Astors were also anti-Semitic. Also discussed are the Prince of Wales, Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson, influential banker Fritz Wiedermann who touted himself as a "peacemaker" which is cruel irony. And then there were those directly involved in the millions of deaths such as Goebbels, Hess and Göring.

Author Susan Ronald includes a helpful Dramatis Personae and details what happened to each afterward (some caught, tried and executed; others tried and let off leniently; others merely flitted under the radar and escaped unscathed). She also mentions Soviet repercussions.

This in-depth book should be required reading for everyone to gain a better knowledge from varying perspectives of this terrible time. That so many were so willing to see entire races wiped off the earth is disturbing, infuriating and heart crushing. Hitler's spell was far reaching and he used his immense power to kill. Unfortunately, millions happily helped.

My sincere thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing me with an early digital copy of this comprehensive and thought-provoking book. I believe we need to know as much about all aspects of the horrors of war as we can to prevent it from happening again.

Although the book is called Hitler’s aristocrats we learn inside the pages that it wasn’t just the Nuevo Rich but those on the social register that help fund the mad Fuhrer. From members of the Kennedy family to English Venetian royalty the names are astounding even America’s highflyer Charles Lindbergh was a big supporter of the dictator. The OMG moments do not stop there as you read on you learn siblings of prime ministers to future Kingz it’s so many more funded Hitler’s endeavors and although son retracted their support they were a day late and a dollar short. Because how can you support a madman like Hitler and then say oh no I was just playing. I found this book to be a who’s who because it definitely reads like it. It will be names you recognize and even if you don’t recognize the name to recognize the companies and businesses these people made their millions on most of the names were very surprising to me and some of them seemed par for the course but either way it was all interesting and a definite must read. If you love World War II history or just history in general you definitely need this book in your library it covers those who funded Hitler the spies and so much more. I received this book from NetGalley and Saint Martin’s press but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

The title of this work is slightly misleading. There is so much more than another rehash of the Windsors' and the Mitfords' disgraceful behavior. Ronald reveals a dizzying array from outright traitors and easily duped diplomats to those turning a blind eye in order to maintain or achieve their status in society. A pathological fear of communism and Goebbel's propaganda machine manipulated both the intelligent and the naive to deny their principles and even the witness of their own eyes.

The playlist is long and varied. Fortunately, Ronald includes a Dramatis Personae which is six pages long. There are certainly aristocrats and socialites. A key member is Princess Stephanie Von Hohenlohe, a Viennese commoner who married a minor member of the Hapsburg dynasty and was happy to spy for Hitler. She was embraced by English society matrons like Sybil Colfax and Emerald Cunard. At their gatherings, she hobnobbed with cabinet members, members of Parliament and industry leaders. Berlin got all of her gossip.

The Press helped. both in Britain and the US. Lord Rothermere, owner of the Daily Mail and W. R. Hearst in the States printed articles praising Hitler. Many in the diplomatic corps, chief among them Ambassador Joseph Kennedy believed that Hitler was only interested in restoring Germany's political and economic status and his antisemitism was an unfortunate result, but understandable. Charles Lindbergh was an active supporter of fascism, as was his buddy Henry Ford.

Yes, there are sane voices who saw the truth and reported it. Journalists Dorothy Thompson and William Shirer wrote chilling descriptions of what they saw in Germany. And US Ambassador Dodd sent back scathing reports to FDR about what was really happening to the Jews in Germany.

There are so many people, many right but more wrong, who are in this book. This is a cautionary account about how vulnerable we are to propaganda and how charm and charisma can disguise pure evil.

This study is a cautionary tale. If happened before,,,,

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for this copy of Hitler's Aristocrats! It's a fascinating story of the behind the scenes players in many of the events surrounding WWII. I studied the events of WWII for a year in college and felt fairly knowledgeable, however, this tackled different people/events than are traditionally taught.
Highly recommended for any history buffs (so pick it up next week when it goes on sale 3/14)!

Hitler’s Aristocrats is a very readable and engaging look at the multitude of well known people throughout the world who supported Hitler’s rise to power and … why. As much as I’ve read about WWII and Hitler’s meteoric ascendancy to power, somehow I missed the fact that many world leaders saw Hitler as their only security against the encroaching tide of communism across the globe.

And Princess Stephanie? I never before heard of her, but what a significant part she played!

Well documented and absolutely intriguing, I highly recommend this non-fiction look behind the scenes of WWII in Europe. It is a real eye-opener. It’s also delightful reading.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, St. Martin's Press , in exchange for an honest review. I’ve never read anything by Susan Ronald before, but I will certainly look for her books now! This was simply wonderful and answered so many questions I had about WWII, even those I didn’t know I had.

Susan Roland presents an incredibly detailed “ deep dive” into the Smart Set that supported Hitler. The book illuminates the British Aristocracy’s fascination with the Nazi movement. With our hindsight into the horrors of Hitler’s regime, it is hard to understand the appeal of the movement, but Roland details who and how some of the most prominent business and social elite allowed themselves to become fascinated by the Nazis.

I found myself lost in the “ who’s who” at times, but would recover to learn a fascinating tidbit about a prominent figure. For instance, as a Detroiter, I was aware of Henry Ford’s reputation as an anti-semite, but Inhad no idea Hitler revered him and considered him the American he most admired.

This is not “ history light,” and the narrative itself is informative, rather than entertaining. But, for those of us who believe we should never forget the atrocities of the Nazis, this adds some insightful detail to their rise in power.

Why so many books about World War II? Perhaps it is the fact that authors like Susan Ronald are searching and finding facts that must be shared. In this work we meet Hitler’s personal ambassadors, two of whom were Joachim von Ribbentrop and Princess Stephanie, whose prime goal was to spread lies and propaganda of the Nazi movement to wealthy members of society in both America and Europe. They were for years successful by appealing to anti-Semitism and fear of Communism. Both Henry Ford and Jack Morgan were open to listening. Hitler was always a fake; many did not recognize this trait in him, especially after becoming a member of the German government. Churchill disliked him from the start as did Dorothy Thompson, an Americano journalist. British aristocrats were seduced by the closest associates of Hitler. The Prince of Wales whose title became Duke of Windsor after his abdication from the throne was a major fan and saw himself being re-throned, albeit a puppet king for the Nazis. Hitler was portrayed as a man of peace; in retrospect we see how powerful his propaganda must have been. Or was it just greed on the part of those defending him? Both Charles Lindbergh and Joseph Kennedy advised appeasement while Hitler himself faked incidents of aggression to convince his followers of the need for war. It is vital to be aware of these historical events so they will not be repeated.

This wasn't what I was looking for. I found myself bored and uninterested. The writing style was too textbook for me.

This book is well written and researched. As the title suggests it focuses on individuals who knowingly and potentially unknowingly supported the Nazis in their rise to power. Some of the individuals are well known such as Charles Lindberg, Henry Ford, Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Joseph Kennedy and Neville Chamberlain. Several others as not as well know, but played important roles. The most notable was Princess Stephanie Hohenlohe-Waldenburg-Schillingsfürst, who served as an intermediary in both England and America. I recommend this book for anyone interested in the Nazi rise to power that covers some material not covered in other books.

I received a free ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook and my nonfiction book review blog.

The twentieth century gave rise to three political streams of thought, Communism/Socialism, Fascism, and the Liberal/New Deal world ushered in after the First World War. Historian Susan Ronald introduces us to the social elite that supported the rise of fascism. Mrs. Ronald provides interesting new details of what Vladimir Lenin would call "useful idiots," who would espouse radical violent methods to create a false utopia. Mrs. Ronald has written a highly readable and valuable addition to the study of the Second World War.

Susan Ronald's Hitler's Aristocrats: The Secret Power Players in Britain and America Who Supported the Nazis, 1923–1941 was quite interesting to read. I am giving it five stars.

I read a lot about the Nazi era, and in those books I would often come across information about wealthy and influential people who were fans of the Nazis, including the Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson, many members of the famous Mitford family, and in the US, Charles Lindbergh and popular radio host Father Coughlin. But I’ve never previously read a book whose chief focus is on those fans and supporters.

Ronald deftly describes the German roots and intermarriages of the British royal family to show why some of its members were sympathetic to the Germans, even as the country turned to Nazism. In the maelstrom of world politics after World War I, many from all walks of life leaned hard into fascism as a bulwark against communism.

Ronald shows how post-World War I Germany went to US banks (other than the Jewish banks) for backing, and courted US industrial titans like Henry Ford, the chiefs of GM and IBM, George W. Bush’s grandfather investment banker Prescott Bush, and names like Joseph P. Kennedy and Charles Lindbergh. The election of Franklin Roosevelt to the presidency angered powerful industrialists, leading them to support fascistic American movements, even to the point of claims that they plotted the overthrow of the government and the installation of a regime friendly to them and their class, rather than to labor.

Those familiar with Britain’s Daily Mail tabloid today will not be surprised to learn that its then-chief, Lord Rothermere, met with Hitler, hobnobbed with Nazis and Nazi sympathizers and had much friendly coverage of the Nazi party and the British Union of Fascists during the 1930s. Though not quite as violently in love with the Nazis as Rothermere, the other major British press baron, Lord Beaverbrook of the Daily Express and Evening Standard, also covered fascists and Nazis favorably. On the other side of the pond, similar sentiments were expressed in Robert McCormick’s Chicago Tribune, William Randolph Hearst’s many papers, the New York Daily News, and more.

A link among many of the supporters of Nazi Germany was the so-called Princess Stephanie von Hohenlohe-Waldenburg-Schillingsfurst. Divorced from the prince of the same name and with a young son, she needed money. She had plenty of beauty and charm, and used them to attract the affections and support of people like Lord Rothermere and a German consul general. Hitler enjoyed her political gossip about her acquaintances across Europe, and even gave her a medal. Essentially, she was a Nazi spy, and except for being interned in the US for three years during the war, she got away with her spying unscathed, returning to high society in Europe and the US after the war. It feels like a whole book could be written about her escapades.

This is a lengthy, thoroughgoing history of the friends in high places who helped ensure the appeasement of Hitler and pave the way to a devastating war.

Thank you NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I was very surprised by the facts in this book. The number of people, from all social statuses, who supported Hitler completely shocked me! Also, the US’s initial attitude about the war and the Jewish refugees was very eye opening. Although the book is a work of non-fiction, it reads very well.

I’m impressed by this author and the life stories from people around the world..
Each story is unique,and gave me so much encouragement for my own life story…
Also I’m amazed how truthfully sharing thoughout the book about hard situations
changed my concept of hard situations in my life- never give up….
I love the photos of houses,I fell in love with the houses and gardens long time ago…
Thank you for sharing, I strongly recommend this book for others to read.

A smart nonfiction historical work that is both interesting and provocative. Absolutely enjoyed learning about this topic.