🕊️ Book Review: The Nazi Connection by Gloria Steinem
A bold, incisive essay that draws chilling parallels between fascist ideology and modern political efforts to control women’s bodies—written by one of feminism’s most iconic voices.
Originally published in Ms. Magazine in 1980 and reissued as a Singles Classic Kindle Edition, Gloria Steinem’s The Nazi Connection is a two-part essay that examines Adolf Hitler’s views on bodily autonomy and compares them to the 1980 Republican Party platform, particularly its stance on abortion and reproductive rights. With a strong Goodreads rating of 4.09/5 from over 160 readers, the essay is praised for its clarity, historical insight, and moral urgency.
🧠 Overview & Themes
Steinem begins with a quote from Mein Kampf, where Hitler declares:
“We must also do away with the conception that the treatment of the body is the affair of every individual.”
This chilling statement becomes the foundation for her argument: that fascist regimes, including Nazi Germany, sought to control reproduction, sexuality, and family structures as a means of consolidating power. She highlights how the German feminist movement—which had advocated for divorce, contraception, and abortion rights—was systematically dismantled under Hitler’s rule.
Steinem then turns her lens to contemporary America, arguing that the 1980 Republican platform’s push for a constitutional ban on abortion echoes the same authoritarian impulse: to strip individuals—especially women—of control over their own bodies.
💬 Why Readers Appreciate It
- Historical Depth: Steinem connects past and present with precision, showing how reproductive control has long been a tool of oppression.
- Moral Clarity: The essay doesn’t hedge—it’s a passionate defense of bodily autonomy and a warning against political regression.
- Concise Format: At just 26 pages, it’s a quick but powerful read that delivers lasting impact.
- Timely Resonance: Though written in 1980, its themes remain strikingly relevant in today’s debates over reproductive rights.
⚠️ Critiques
- Some readers felt the comparison between Nazi ideology and American politics was provocative, even uncomfortable—though intentionally so.
- The essay is polemic, not academic, which may challenge readers seeking a more neutral tone.
- A few reviews noted that it assumes familiarity with feminist history, which might limit accessibility for newcomers.
📣 Reviewer Highlights
“A feminist classic… Steinem’s essay is a reminder that the fight for bodily autonomy is not just personal—it’s political, and historically urgent.” — Pioneer Works Broadcast
“In Mein Kampf, Hitler wrote that ‘We must also do away with the conception that the treatment of the body is the affair of every individual.’ It was a direct slap at the feminist movement…” — Goodreads summary
🏁 Final Verdict
The Nazi Connection is a fearless, historically grounded essay that challenges readers to confront the ideological roots of reproductive control. If you’re interested in feminist theory, political history, or civil liberties, this Kindle Single offers a compelling and sobering perspective.