Inside the mind of a Nazi—and the psychiatrist who studied him.
In this powerful episode of Review It Yourself, Sean sits down with acclaimed author and journalist Jack El-Hai to discuss his gripping and deeply researched book, The Nazi and the Psychiatrist.
This is not just another Second World War/World War II book review. It’s a psychological investigation into evil, power, ego, and moral reckoning at the aftermath of history’s darkest chapter.
A Psychological Duel at Nuremberg
In The Nazi and the Psychiatrist, Jack El-Hai explores the extraordinary relationship between Hermann Goering, the highest-ranking Nazi captured alive, and Douglas M. Kelley, the U.S. Army psychiatrist tasked with evaluating him during the Nuremberg Trials.
During our conversation, we unpack:
- How Kelley psychologically assessed leading Nazi defendants
- Why Goering fascinated and manipulated those around him
- The concept of the “banality of evil” in practice
- The absence of a single psychiatric diagnosis to explain atrocity
- The moral and professional toll the Nuremberg experience took on Kelley
- Why these questions still resonate today
Jack reveals how Kelley’s pioneering psychological work challenged simplistic narratives about madness and evil — and how America struggled to process the uncomfortable conclusions.
Why
The Nazi and the Psychiatrist Matters Now
With the upcoming 2025 film Nuremberg renewing interest in this story, El-Hai’s book has never been more relevant.
In a world still grappling with extremism, ideology, and the psychology of power, this episode asks:
- Are monsters born—or made?
- Can ordinary individuals commit extraordinary evil?
- What responsibility does psychology bear in interpreting history?
About Our Guest: Jack El-Hai
Jack El-Hai is an award-winning author and journalist specialising in narrative non-fiction, medical history, crime, and ethics.
📘 Featured Book
The Nazi and the Psychiatrist: Hermann Goering, Dr. Douglas M. Kelley, and a Fatal Meeting of Minds
Originally published in 2013, the book examines the psychological chess match between Goering and Kelley — and its tragic aftermath.
Why You Should Listen to This Episode
This episode of Review It Yourself delivers:
- A thoughtful, in-depth author interview
- Insight into the psychology of Nazi leadership
- Historical analysis grounded in primary research
- A discussion on how history is interpreted — and misinterpreted
- Reflection on how the past informs our present
Perfect for listeners interested in:
World War II history
Holocaust studies
Nuremberg Trials
Psychology and ethics
Historical biographies
Follow, Contact & Support Review It Yourself
If you value independent, honest book and film reviews without corporate spin:
🎙️ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and all major platforms
⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts — it helps more than you know
📧 Email the show: [email protected]
📲 Follow Review It Yourself on your favourite social media platform
Find us here:
- Instagram: reviewityourselfpodcast2021
- Twitter/X: @YourselfReview
- Threads: reviewityourselfpodcast2021
- BlueSky: @reviewityourself.bsky.social
Support the Podcast
Review It Yourself is proudly independent.
You can support the show by:
🔁 Sharing this episode with fellow film, history and psychology enthusiasts
📝 Leaving a written review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
Your support keeps independent podcasting alive.
Listen now to this compelling discussion with Jack El-Hai — and decide for yourself what The Nazi and the Psychiatrist reveals about evil, responsibility, and the human condition.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.