Hitler's American Model: The United States and the Making of Nazi Race Law

"One of Foreign Affairs Best of Books 2017 – Economic, Social, and Environment / Finance" "Startling. . . . [ Hitler’s American Model ] contributes to a growing recognition of American influences on Nazi thought." ―Jeff Guo, Washington Post "The uncomfortable truth is that Nazi policy was itself influenced by American white supremacy, a heritage well documented in James Q. Whitman’s recent book Hitler’s American Model ." ―Sasha Chapin, New York Times Magazine "Every day brings fresh reminders that liberal and illiberal democracy can entwine uncomfortably, a timely context for James Q. Whitman’s Hitler’s American Model . . . . [H]is short book raises important questions about law, about political decisions that affect the scope of civic membership, and about the malleability of Enlightenment values." ―Ira Katznelson, The Atlantic "A crucial read right now." ―Jelani Cobb "Whitman reminds readers of the subtle ironies of modern history and of the need to be constantly vigilant against racism." ―Andrew Moravcsik, Foreign Affairs " Hitler's American Model is a breathtaking excavation of America's shameful contribution to Hitler's genocidal policies. This book is a profound testament to what the past can teach us about the present and is more timely than Whitman could possibly have imagined when he began this remarkable excursion into our nation's original sin and its surprising European legacy. A brilliant page-turner." --Laurence H. Tribe, Harvard Law School "This is a brilliant, erudite, and disturbing book. By looking at the United States through the eyes of Nazi legal theorists in the 1930s, Whitman contributes to our understanding of this darkest chapter of German legal history. Moreover, he shines a light through this unlikely lens on the worst sins of our own country's past." --Lawrence M. Friedman, author of A History of American Law "In Hitler's American Model , Whitman tells the deeply troubling story of how Nazi lawyers drew inspiration from the American legal system. He offers a detailed and careful reading of how U.S. immigration laws and antimiscegenation legislation gave the Nazi legal establishment the sense of remaining within the boundaries of respectable jurisprudence. Filled with novel insights, this is a particularly timely book given today's political climate." --Jan T. Gross, author of Neighbors "This is a critical book for our difficult times. Whitman forces us to see America through Nazi eyes and to realize how profoundly white supremacy has shaped this country. Chilling in its details, the unsettling insights of Hitler's American Model jump from every page. A must-read!" --Eddie S. Glaude, author of Democracy in Black "This is one of the most engrossing and disturbing pieces of legal history I've read in a long time. Whitman offers a sustained, systematic, and thoughtful look at how Nazi legal theorists and conservative German lawyers drew on American examples when crafting the Nuremberg laws--Germany's contribution to racial madness in the twentieth century. Whitman's book stands apart from, indeed above, everything I've read regarding America's influence on the making of the Nazi state." --Lawrence Powell, Tulane University "This spellbinding and haunting book shatters claims that American laws related to race and segregation had little to no impact on the shaping of Nazi policies. Whitman's readings of the Nuremberg laws and Nazi legal scholarship are astonishing--nimble, sophisticated, and nuanced. Speaking volumes, this book will change the way we think about Jim Crow, Nazis, and America's role in the world." --Daniel J. Sharfstein, author of The Invisible Line: A Secret History of Race in America James Q. Whitman is the Ford Foundation Professor of Comparative and Foreign Law at Yale Law School. His books include Harsh Justice , The Origins of Reasonable Doubt , and The Verdict of Battle . Read more