Blitzed

In "Blitzed," Norman Ohler uncovers the surprising role of drugs in the Nazi regime, revealing how Germany's pharmaceutical industry, including companies like Merck and Bayer, produced substances such as cocaine, opiates, and methamphetamines for widespread use. As World War II approached, these drugs permeated society, benefiting everyone from factory workers to soldiers, with troops consuming rations of crystal meth that contributed to military successes. The book highlights Hitler's own reliance on a cocktail of drugs administered by his personal physician, suggesting that a comprehensive understanding of the Third Reich must include the impact of these substances on its leaders and society.