In dienst van de nazi's gewone mensen als gewelddadige collaborateurs

This book is widely praised for its engaging and objective writing style, offering a comprehensive group portrait of violent Dutch collaborators during World War II. Reviewers commend its ability to provide good insight into the diverse backgrounds and personalities of these individuals, attempting to explain their choices and behavior through extensive source research. The clear, well-structured presentation, with distinct chapters and concluding reflections, makes the complex subject matter accessible even to readers with limited prior knowledge. Many found the author's findings fascinating and intriguing, highlighting the book's merit in exploring a difficult historical topic.

However, some readers found the psychological explanations for the subjects' actions to be somewhat superficial or too brief, suggesting the analyses did not always delve deep enough to function as thorough academic studies. The content itself is described as very heavy and brutal, with detailed descriptions of atrocities that some found difficult to read or even nauseating. A few reviewers noted that the repetitive nature of the case studies, while illustrating common themes, eventually made them feel numb to the individual stories. Additionally, one comment suggested that some specific events might benefit from further investigation.

Overall, the book is considered a significant and valuable attempt to understand a dark chapter of history. It is recommended for readers interested in the complexities of wartime collaboration, particularly in the Dutch context, and those seeking to comprehend the psychological motivations that can transform ordinary citizens into perpetrators of violence. Ideal readers should be prepared for graphic and disturbing content but will appreciate the book's objective, factual approach to illustrating the mechanisms and consequences of human behavior under extreme circumstances.