The War Crimes Trials for World War II

The History and Legacy of Nazi Germany and Japan’s War Crimes Trials After the War

By: Charles River Editors

Narrated by: Jim D Johnston

At the end of World War II, the world was faced with some sobering statistics. With more than 50,000,000 deaths when both military and civilian losses had been accounted for, the death toll was devastating, and for many of those who lived in countries that had been ravaged by war, hunger and financial strain had become parts of daily life. Furthermore, beyond the physical damage was the growing knowledge of the atrocities that had been committed both before and during the war. In fact, the Allies were discussing how to dole out justice for Axis war crimes as early as 1943, and once the war was over, it was time for the nations to turn their attention toward determining the proper punishments.

The judgment of the German leadership and its role in the death, destruction, and demoralization they had brought to the world would take place at Nuremberg. The Nuremberg Trials were a series of 13 proceedings held under the authority of the International Military Tribunal between November 1945 and June 1948, but the trial most associated with Nuremberg is the first trial, in which eight judges appointed by Britain, the US, the Soviet Union, and France deliberated over the guilt or innocence of 22 men identified as significant leaders of the Nazi cause. This trial took place between November 20, 1945, and August 31, 1946. Later trials included other Germans who held what were considered to be position of power - doctors, businessman, or lower-level functionaries whose positions of influence gave them, in the eyes of the Allies, increased responsibility for their actions. Though almost every person convicted in the 13 Nuremberg Trials was male, there was also a female physician convicted at the doctors’ trial.

In all, the Nuremberg trials numbered 489 separate hearings, and despite taking place nearly 70 years ago, the impact of the trials can still be felt today.

Though they are now mostly forgotten, the International Military Tribunal for the Far East was the Pacific Theater’s equivalent. Known as the Tokyo Trials, 11 countries contributed prosecutors as 28 Japanese faced trials for crimes against humanity. The trials were politically charged from the start, considering the end of World War II, the beginning of the Cold War, and the American occupation of Japan, and in many respects, the Tokyo Trials were part of a new era in American-Japanese relations.

The War Crimes Trials for World War II: The History and Legacy of Nazi Germany and Japan’s War Crimes Trials After the War chronicles the history of the trials from their conception to their completion. You will learn about the trials like never before.

©2018 Charles River Editors (P)2018 Charles River Editors

Don't waste you money

I cannot believe that the Charles River Editors could not find a narrator that did not whistle when he spoke. Every time the narrator pronounced a word with the letter "S" or with a soft "C" he had a whistle in his speech. I really tried to get past his issue and enjoy learning about the trials, but it was ultimately too distracting.

There was an editing issue around minute 38:00. The narrator was in the middle of reading a sentence, there were two knock sounds and then the narrator restated the exact portion of the sentence again. Again, failure on the part of "Charles River Editors".

Lastly, the war crimes portion dealing with Nazi Germany was somewhat interesting. The Japanese portion was horrendous. I felt that this entire portion was just the narrator repeating all twenty something Japanese defendant's names over and over. The content was very dry and hard to stay interested in. Fortunately this audible book was less than three hours long, which is a shame that an event so important in history could be made unbearable because of the poor writing and painful narration. Just listen to the sample and imagine three hours...

I would not recommend this audible book.