Choice Review

Editor Pine groups ten contributions from solid scholars into three parts: "Food and Health," "Lifestyle," and "Religion." Nancy Reagin couples making food choices, cooking, and housekeeping with Nazi aspirations to avoid the catastrophic food shortages of WW I. Jonathan Lewy reveals a complex Nazi attitude toward cigarettes and rehabilitation paths for alcoholics. Geoffrey Cocks outlines medical practice in Nazi Germany as the country confronted fears of epidemics, the impact of bombing, and an acute shortage of trained physicians. A limited Nazi ideological influence could also be detected in the promotion of traditional German folk fashions, according to Irene Guenther. Kristin Semmens and David Imhoof review Nazi-sponsored vacation options along with sporting activities with clear ideological purpose. Cultural expression in the visual arts, according to Joan L. Clinefelter, played a didactic role in identifying Nazi expressions of Volksgemeinschaft. The final three articles evaluate Germany's primary religious traditions. Christopher J. Probst views Protestants as largely embracing the Nazi vision, including an active anti-Semitism. In contrast, Catholic clergy proved resilient in resisting Nazi pressure, as depicted by Kevin Spicer. Finally, Joe Perry threads in Nazi Christmas celebrations, emphasizing Christian religious inclusion against the racial exclusion of Jews. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. --David A. Meier, Dickinson State University