War and Economy in the Third Reich examines the nature of the German economy in the 1930s and the Second World War. When Hitler came to power in 1933 he had two aims for the economy: a rapid recovery from the depths of the Great Slump and the creation of a vast economic foundation for Germany's renewed bid for world power. He wanted to turn Germany into a military superpower in the 1940s.

These eleven essays explore the tension between Hitler's vision of an armed economy and the reality of German economic and social life. Richard Overy argues that the German economy was much less crisis-ridden in 1939 than its enemies supposed, and that Hitler, far from limiting his war effort, tried to mobilize the economy for 'total war' from 1939 onwards. Only the poor organization of the Nazi state and the interference of the military prevented higher levels of military output.

Many of these essays challenge accepted views of the Third Reich. They are collected here for the first time. In his substantial new introduction Richard Overy reflects on the issues they raise, and the ways in which the subject is changing. Often thought-provoking, always informed, War and Economy opens a window on an essential aspect of Hitler's Germany.