New Books Network Danny Orbach, "Plots Against Hitler" (Mariner, 2016)
Oct 19, 2025
Danny Orbach, a Senior Lecturer at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and author specializing in German resistance, explores the myriad plots against Hitler. He challenges popular myths about the German resistance, presenting a complex picture of motivations and conspiracies. Orbach highlights how resistance primarily emerged from military circles, revealing the impact of events in 1938. He dissected the July 20 plot and its failures while emphasizing moral ambiguity among conspirators, urging listeners to reflect on courage in times of oppression.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Resisters Were Morally Complex
- Popular accounts often portray German officers as opportunistic war criminals who conspired late to save themselves.
- Danny Orbach argues primary sources reveal complex, mixed motives and moral ambiguity among resisters.
Why The Army Enabled Conspiracy
- Effective opposition to Hitler could only come from groups the regime did not expect to resist.
- Orbach shows the army and tiny conservative circles provided the unexpected base for conspiracies.
Georg Elser's Near Miss
- Georg Elser, a lone carpenter-watchmaker, built a sophisticated bomb and nearly killed Hitler at the Beer Hall.
- Orbach notes lone wolves maximize security but depend heavily on luck and single opportunities.
