Synopsis
"The Nazi and the Psychiatrist: Hermann Göring, Dr. Douglas M. Kelley, and a Fatal Meeting of Minds at the End of WWII" by Jack El-Hai is a compelling historical narrative that delves into the complex relationship between American psychiatrist Captain Douglas M. Kelley and high-ranking Nazi Hermann Göring during the Nuremberg Trials following World War II. Set in 1945, the book begins with Göring’s capture by Allied forces and his arrival at an American-run detention center in Luxembourg, accompanied by an extravagant entourage of sixteen suitcases and a red hatbox containing luxury items, a million dollars in cash, and hidden vials of potassium cyanide. Göring, once Hitler’s deputy and Reichsmarshal, is joined by fifty-two other senior Nazi officials, including Grand Admiral Dönitz, Wilhelm Keitel, Alfred Jodl, the unstable Robert Ley, the suicidal Hans Frank, and the notorious propagandist Julius Streicher. Tasked with ensuring these war criminals are mentally and physically fit for trial, Kelley, a 32-year-old U.S. Army psychiatrist, seizes the opportunity to probe the psychological makeup of these men, hoping to uncover a distinct “Nazi personality” that might explain their atrocities.
El-Hai meticulously details Kelley’s interactions with the prisoners, focusing on his fascination with Göring, the dominant figure among the captives. Göring, a charismatic yet ruthless manipulator, presents a paradox: a man who condemned animal cruelty and adored his family, yet orchestrated the deaths of millions. Through interviews, inkblot tests, and apperception analyses, Kelley seeks to understand Göring’s psyche, initially aiming to identify a psychological trait that sets these war criminals apart. However, Kelley’s expectations are challenged as he finds himself drawn to Göring’s charm and intelligence, developing an unsettling appreciation for the man despite his heinous crimes. This relationship becomes a psychological duel, with both men—master manipulators in their own right—engaging in a battle of wits. Kelley’s access to Göring’s health issues, including his paracodeine addiction and heart concerns, allows him to influence the prisoner’s behavior, such as convincing Göring to lose weight for a better courtroom appearance. Yet, the more Kelley delves into Göring’s mind, the more he grapples with the unsettling realization that the Nazis’ capacity for evil may not stem from a unique psychiatric condition but from traits present in many people.
The narrative expands beyond the detention center to explore Kelley’s broader investigation, drawing on his extensive notes, medical records, and personal papers, which El-Hai accessed through Kelley’s son. Kelley’s encounters with other Nazis reveal a spectrum of personalities—Streicher’s sadistic tendencies, Kaltenbrunner’s cowardice, Ley’s possible brain damage—but no unifying “Nazi personality.” This finding haunts Kelley, as does his growing entanglement with Göring’s worldview. The book traces the toll this work takes on Kelley’s psyche, foreshadowing his eventual unraveling. After the trials, Kelley struggles to reintegrate into civilian life, becoming a star professor at UC Berkeley while consulting for law enforcement and Hollywood. Yet, his home life deteriorates, and his obsession with the Nuremberg experience persists, raising questions about whether his proximity to Göring’s evil left a lasting mark. El-Hai leaves readers to ponder whether Kelley’s later struggles, culminating in his suicide in 1958, were influenced by this “fatal meeting of minds.”
El-Hai’s narrative, enriched by critical praise for its “ace reportage” and “gripping” account, weaves a chilling exploration of human nature, sanity, and the nature of evil. The book avoids sensationalism, presenting a nuanced portrait of two outsized personalities—one a symbol of public service, the other an avatar of evil—whose convergence raises profound questions about the capacity for harm in anyone. Through meticulous research, including Kelley’s hidden records and contemporary accounts, El-Hai crafts a suspenseful story that reads like a psychological thriller, offering insights into the Nuremberg Trials, behavioral psychology, and the enduring mystery of why ordinary people commit extraordinary atrocities. The book’s haunting conclusion underscores the dangerous allure of evil and the personal cost of confronting it, making it a riveting meditation on morality and the human condition.