Reviews"This work is a much-needed study of the combat element of Hitler's SS. As part of the SS, the Waffen SS is probably one of the most misconstrued elements of the German armed forces. The author has undoubtedly cleared the air of many of these misconceptions."--Military Library, "This book provides a valuable corrective to the various legends that have grown around the activities of the Waffen SS. . . . Based on a wide range of German archives and published sources, this study is equally informative on the sociological, political, and military implications of the Waffen SS."-Royal United Service Institution Journal, "It is a real pleasure to read a scholarly book which is well written, concise, and most importantly, where the author bases himself solidly upon the most important primary sources. . . . Stein stands out as one who has delved deeply into the captured German documents and used these materials to make a real contribution to our knowledge of the Third Reich."--Journal of Modern History, "This work is a much-needed study of the combat element of Hitler's SS. As part of the SS, the Waffen SS is probably one of the most misconstrued elements of the German armed forces. The author has undoubtedly cleared the air of many of these misconceptions."-Military Library, It is a real pleasure to read a scholarly book which is well written, concise, and most importantly, where the author bases himself solidly upon the most important primary sources.... Stein stands out as one who has delved deeply into the captured German documents and used these materials to make a real contribution to our knowledge of the Third Reich., "This book provides a valuable corrective to the various legends that have grown around the activities of the Waffen SS. . . . Based on a wide range of German archives and published sources, this study is equally informative on the sociological, political, and military implications of the Waffen SS."--Royal United Service Institution Journal
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SynopsisThis landmark study, first published by Cornell University Press in 1966, shows how Hitler's elite army grew from a praetorian guard of barely 28,000 men at the beginning of the Second World War to a combat-hardened army of more than 500,000 in 1945..., This landmark study, first published by Cornell University Press in 1966, shows how Hitler's elite army grew from a praetorian guard of barely 28,000 men at the beginning of the Second World War to a combat-hardened army of more than 500,000 in 1945. George H. Stein examines in detail the structure and organization of the Waffen SS and describes the rigid personnel selection and intensive physical, military, and ideological training that helped to create the tough and dedicated cadre around which the larger force of the later war years was built.