Review of THE ARMS OF KRUPP by Doug Eigsti

The Arms of Krupp by William Manchester

It is with this book that the Fictionados realized that we are in danger of attaching the appellation of “paradigm shifter” to any work of history. This is because such lengthy works cause the reader to revise his assessment of a time that he may have had only scant familiarity. And since these events take place in the real world, one's perception of the world must then be revised. The Arms of Krupp is just such a work. This weighty tome (335,000 words) will give one with a general knowledge of the two World Wars involving Germany a whole new perspective. It had always been a mystery for me as to why Germany was able to terrorize the whole of Europe twice in the space of twenty years. Now I have a better grasp of some of the reasons. Chief among them are, “Guns, Germs and Steel.” (another paradigm shifter by Jared Diamond) This phrase has become an idiom for quirks of geography that give the indigenous people a technological advantage. In the case of Germany, the Ruhr valley just happens to be the home of the Krupp merchant dynasty and the site of one of the richest coaking coal mines in the world; two factors that led to their gravitation towards steel production and, later, guns, big guns.

[736.3] The Ruhr has a near monopoly, at least of the export of coal and coke…no amount of political maneuvering can overcome this geographical fact, or rob the Germans of the power it gives them.

The German mindset is epitomized in the minds of the leaders of the Krupp dynasty, hereto referred to simply as Krupp; for the man and the firm are indistinguishable. They are fiercely inventive yet even more fiercely dedicated to the state, regardless of who happens to be ruling it at the time, be it the Kaiser or the Fuhrer. Reading of the exploits of Krupp, one can come closer to understanding why such a traditional people could let themselves be seduced by Hitler. Such devotion to National Socialism developed spontaneously out of the remnants of Willhemine Germany that was defeated in WWI, and the depression that followed.

The genius of Krupp is a fascinating thing to watch unfold with the words of Manchester (and his vocabulary is wonderful). One is left with both a profound admiration for what these mavens of industry were able to accomplish, and a deep disgust of what atrocities they were willing to perform to accomplish their goals. Gustov and Alfreid Krupp were especially gifted in terms of building the business, like-wise they were both guilty of no only collaborating with the Nazis but of enthusiastically participating in their horrors against mankind. In the end it is not the punishment for crimes committed that brings the house of Krupp down, but rather overextending themselves financially that proves to the their ruin. A theme that resonates with another book on my list of paradigm shifters: The Creature From Jekyll Island, by G. Edward Griffin. Poetic justice perhaps; hoist by their own petard.

This history of Germany from the point of view of a great industrial house puts the great events of the 20th century fresh perspective. I would rank this as one of a handful of books essential to understanding the world in which we live. Failing to read it would be to content oneself with the peel of a pomegranate when treasures of wonder are just under the surface.