Customer Reviews:
 Waffen-SS Encyclopedia November 6, 2006
0 out of 6 found this review helpful
Not expect from this book an "encyclopedia", is more an "aproximation" to the Waffen-SS world. If you don't look for a detail information it may help you to know units, history, and the flow and ebbs of some personalities and units. A book for beguinners.
 A solid resource February 24, 2006
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
This book is excellent in breaking down the origin of the Waffen SS units and in providing information on important Waffen personnel. I especially liked how it avoided lumping all the units and all the individuals into a single group. It recognizes the differences between elite combat formations and thugs behind the lines who are commiting genocide. It also recognizes that individuals within a given unit differ in terms of fanaticism and indoctrination. It does not address general German (or European) antisemitism and its role, which is probably better tackled by holocaust books like the excellent Hitler's Willing Executioners. I would have preferred more battle history though. This book goes into extreme detail on the role of Germanics (non-Germans of German racial stock) in the SS, but there is relatively little detail on the key battles. All in all, I would say that this book and The Waffen SS at War are complementary. This book tells about the real people involved very well, but does a poor job with the battle history. Waffen SS at War tells the battle history but does a poor job making the people real, rather than simple demonic Nazi stereotypes.
 An amazing reference for World War Two buffs! November 11, 2005
23 out of 24 found this review helpful
Marc J. Rikmenspoel's book is one of the most detailed book's available on the Waffen-SS. It gives the background and summary of operations of all divisions, and has outstanding diagrams that outline the structure of early war motorized infantry divisions, panzer divisions, panzer-grenadier divisions, mountain divisions, cavalry divisions, and grenadier (infantry) divisions. It describes both the German and non-German troops of the Waffen-SS, which believe it or not included volunteers from Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Belorussia, Czechia, Estonia, France, Georgia, Hungary, India, Ireland (recruited from the IRA), Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, North Caucasus, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, and Ukraine!
This book has a great section on the famous figures of the Waffen-SS and how they influenced it throughout the war. It has a brief section on the Waffen-SS weapons (with helpful photos) that serves as a good introduction to the subject. And finally, perhaps the best part of the book is the "Myths about the Waffen-SS" at the end. This answers questions about common myths about the Waffen-SS, such as whether or not they really possessed superior weaponry to the army. Also, there's a very informative appendix which gives details on the weapons of the Waffen-SS, and the bibliography serves as a great starting point for looking for more information on the Waffen-SS. Perhaps the best thing about this book is that it's written in an easy-to-understand format, making it the perfect book for both experts and beginners. This book is highly recommended to all World War Two buffs.
Great Research Book. June 16, 2005
17 out of 19 found this review helpful
Ok, this is the last review until I finish a few more books.....anyone got any titles, LOL
OK, I found this book really well done and to the point. I would say it is more along the research type of book, as it is NOT a memoir or not really a story.
The chapters cover everything I would want to know about the SS. SS units, weapons used, Bio's on major characters (brief but with good information, and a good read). How the SS DIV were broken down and of course where the Divisions fought, and how they ended the war. One of the chapters covers all the countries that supplied volunteers to the German elite units and has a break down of wounded/killed and what happened to the soldiers at wars end. This is a really good read in my mind.
Most of the photos have not been seen by me. I found myself going back to this book to re-read certain chapters to help explain other books. I know I will be using this book to compliment later books.
Highly recommended as a research book.
My most enjoyed encyclopedia reading ever May 19, 2005
18 out of 20 found this review helpful
Whether your interest lies in hard core research of World War II or you just happen to watch the History Channel too often, this book will be an enjoyable source of information.
Personally, being of the second group, I had rarely been exposed to unbiased views toward anything in 20th century Europe, particularly not early century Germany. This book was fantastic with providing in depth information with every topic touched upon. Formations of, Nationalities of, Personalities of, and Weapons of the Waffen-SS were all well researched and well presented.
While the book could possibly contain more information, it truly seems to hold the most pertinent information about the Waffen-SS. To effectively go more in depth would have required a separate published work for each separate topic.
This is a complete, unbaised work on the Waffen-SS and would make a pleasant experience for anyone interested in topics relating to early 20th century Europe. I personally was shocked how much I enjoyed this title.
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