McKale has provided a fine survey.

– Norman J. W. Goda, Holocaust and Genocide Studies

Hitler's Shadow War offers an incisive introductory survey of the Holocaust from the ideological inception of modern anti-Semitism through the rising tide of anti-Jewish persecution in the 1930s and culminating in the Final Solution.

– Abraham J. Edelheit, Jewish Book World

McKale's book is a stunning achievement. . . . If readers at any level, or any library, were to purchase one book on the Holocaust, Hitler's Shadow War would be the recommended choice.

– M. Swartz, Choice Reviews

For anyone seeking to come to terms with the depravity of the Holocaust, Hitler's Shadow War will be required reading.

– George Cohen, Booklist

McKale presents a chillingly detailed and documented account of the Nazi insanity motivating the murderous attempt to exterminate the Jews of Europe. In view of the massive manpower, construction, transporation, energy, and other resources expended in this task, winning World War II, for the Nazis, was nothing more than a step toward success in the Holocaust.

– Martin Blumenson, Author of Heroes Never Die: Warriors and Warfare in World War II

EDITOR'S CHOICE of the History Book Club, March 2003

The distinguishing features of Professor McKale's account are that it is based on the latest scholarship, places the systematic murder of the Jews into its World War II context, and does these things in a very well-written survey that will enlighten and inform the general public as well as specialists.

– Gerhard L. Weinberg, author of A World at Arms: A Global History of World War II