Collins Memorial Library: GERM 405: Culture in the Third Reich: Background Sources

Why should I use subject encyclopedias?

You might be wondering why a German 405 student would consult subject encyclopedias. The quick answer is that it can't hurt to make sure you have a good sense of how your research question fits in with other scholarly research that has been done--and the bibliographies at the end of encyclopedia articles are an efficient way to make sure you know who the scholars are who've been working on this topic.

Remember that tertiary sources are intended to fill in gaps in your knowledge or jumpstart your research; they should not be cited as scholarly secondary sources for your project.

Featured Subject Encyclopedias

The Encyclopedia of the Third Reich by Christian Zentner (Editor); Friedemann Bedurftig (Editor); Amy Hackett (Translator)
Call Number: DD256.5 .G76313 1991, v. 1-2 Print Reference
ISBN: 9780028975009
Publication Date: 1991
Provides over 3,000 entries on important individuals, battles, ideology, politics, psychology, economics, health, art, music, and theater between 1933 and 1945 in Nazi Germany.
Encyclopedia of German Resistance to the Nazi Movement by Wolfgang Benz (Editor); Walter H. Pehle (Editor)
Call Number: DD256.5 .L51313 1997 Reference
ISBN: 0826409458
Publication Date: 1997
Covers all facets of the opposition to Hitler and his regime.
Modern Germany by Dieter K. Buse (Editor); Juergen C. Doerr (Editor); Thomas Spira (Editor)
Call Number: DD14 .M64 1998 v. 1-2 Reference
ISBN: 9780815305033
Publication Date: 1998
Covers every major aspect of German culture and society for the past century.
The Holocaust Encyclopedia by Walter Laqueur (Editor); Judith Tydor Baumel
Call Number: D804.25 .H66 2001 Reference
ISBN: 9780300084320
Publication Date: 2001
A comprehensive single-volume work of reference providing both a reflective overview of the subject and abundant detail concerning major events, policy decisions, cities, and individuals.
Holocaust Literature: an encyclopedia of writers and their work by S. Lillian Kremer (Editor)
Call Number: PN56.H55 H66 2002 Reference
ISBN: 9780415929851
Publication Date: 2002
Features 300 alphabetically organized bio-critical essays on writers of memoirs, novels, poetry, short stories, and drama. Also includes maps.
The Oxford Companion to German Literature by Henry Garland; Mary Garland
Call Number: PT41 .G3 1997 Reference
ISBN: 9780198158967
Publication Date: 1997
Designed to be a reliable source of information on the whole sweep of literature from German-speaking countries from the eighth century onwards. The entries, arranged in a single alphabetical sequence, cover authors and their major works, as well as historical, intellectual, and cultural backgrounds.
New Dictionary of the History of Ideas by Maryanne Cline Horowitz (editor)
Call Number: Click on the title above for online access
ISBN: 9780684313771
Publication Date: 2004
A survey of the history of Western thought and culture, presented through 700 alphabetically arranged entries. Each entry explores the origin, cultural interpretations, and historical themes of such subjects as beauty, love, feminism, diversity, and social capital, among many others.
World Fascism by Cyprian P. Blamires (Editor)
Call Number: JC481 .W67 Print Reference
Publication Date: 2006
This book shows how, during the 20th century, evils such as totalitarianism, tyranny, war, and genocide became indelibly linked to the fascist cause, and examines the enduring and popular appeal of an ideology that has counted princes, poets, and war heroes among its most fervent adherents.
The Oxford Companion to World War II by I. C. B. Dear (Editor); M. R. D. Foot (Editor)
Call Number: Click on the title above for online access
ISBN: 9780198604464
Publication Date: 2003
Every aspect of the war is covered including, detailed surveys of major countries; politics and grand strategy; domestic and economic issues; resistance and intelligence services; campaigns, battles, and military operations; warfare and weapons; wartime leaders and influential people; and slogans and phrases.
Encyclopedia of Race and Racism by Angela Doolin (Editor)
Call Number: Click on the title above for online access
ISBN: 9780028661742
Publication Date: 2013
Examines the anthropological, sociological, historical, economic, and scientific theories of race and racism in the modem era.

Online Reference Collections

Not sure where to look? Each of these online collections will introduce you to a wealth of dictionaries and encyclopedias.

ABC CLIO eBooks This link opens in a new window
The ABC CLIO eBook Collection contains encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks, and guides from ABC-CLIO, Greenwood Press, Libraries Unlimited, and Praeger.
Gale eBooks
Provides full text access to several dozen subject encyclopedias, with strengths in the arts, humanities, and medicine.
Literature Resource Center
Contains articles from academic journals and literary magazines as well as excerpts from scholarly monographs, literary correspondence and diaries.
Oxford Reference
Contains the complete texts of many Oxford companions, encyclopedias, dictionaries and other reference titles in a fully indexed, cross-searchable database.
SAGE Knowledge
The social sciences platform for SAGE and CQ Press books, reference materials and other content.