Chapter 5, Useless Violence Summary and Analysis

Unfortunately, violence—even murder and war—can be useful when it serves a goal and suffering is merely a by-product. The Hitler years are characterized by the desire simply to inflict pain. The goals of Nazism, made clear in Mein Kampf, are hateful but not insane. Nazis take joy in their neighbor's misfortune and in inflicting suffering through "disproportionate" massacres and minor, individual acts. In the Lager system, this begins with the train to the unknown, ordinary boxcars packed with "human material." From Italy, convoys carry "only" 50-60 Jews, politicals, and partisans per car, while in Eastern Europe, Jews and Slavs are packed in tightly, for whether they die en route or in the camp is immaterial. Prisoners are ordered to take their valuables, which will "come in handy," are receive no provision for food...