West German Industrialists and the Making of the Economic Miracle: A History of Mentality and Recovery

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West German Industrialists and the Making of the Economic Miracle investigates the mentality of post-war German (heavy) industrialists through an analysis of their attitudes, thinking and views on social, political and, of course, economic matters at the time, including the 'social market economy' and how they saw their own role in society, with this investigation taking place against the backdrop of the 'economic miracle' and the Cold War of the 1950s and 60s. The book also includes an assessment of whether the self-declared, new 'aristocracy of merit' justified its place in society and carried out its actions in a new spirit of political responsibility. This is an important text for all students interested in the history of Germany and the modern economic history of Europe.

Reviews

Well grounded in the relevant literature and in archival research, Grnbachers study is informative and persuasive Specialists will find the book rewarding. * Journal of Modern History *
Grnbacher has written a very accessible and concise study on a fascinating topic, which does much to explain the status of West German businessmen. It is highly recommended to anyone interested in early post-war German economic and societal history, and those who want to gain a clearer insight into the Federal Republics Wirtschaftswunder. * European History Quarterly *
The book shows a masterful grasp of German archival material and academic literature, particularly beneficial for experts who do not know German Grnbacher has produced a significant book on the history of entrepreneurs' mentality during the West German economic miracle that will be a very useful resource for scholars and postgraduate students interested in the economic and political history of Germany. * The Historian *
This is a deeply researched study that skillfully combines economic, social, and political history. By revealing how business leaders after Nazism cast themselves as a new elite - one that embodied honor, loyalty, and the entrepreneurial spirit - Grnbacher offers a useful synthesis of current research trends, as well as an original focus on the mentalities of those who took credit for West Germany's "economic miracle." * Jonathan Wiesen, Professor of History, Southern Illinois, USA *
Who was responsible for the West German 'Economic Miracle' after the Second World War German managers and industrialists at the time have take credit, and many scholars have agreed. But, as Armin Grnbacher demonstrates in this impressively researched book, their role in the 'Economic Miracle' was more complex, involving a mixture of opportunism; adaption to new realities in the international political economy; and stubborn resistance to them by adhering to long established traditions, practices and mentalities. * Ray Stokes, Chair of Business History, University of Glasgow, UK *
This is a thorough, comprehensive and intelligent study of how West German industrialists re-positioned themselves after the disaster of 1945. A significant contribution to our understanding of West German society in the 1950s and 1960s. * Moritz Fllmer, Associate Professor of Modern History, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands *

Author Bio

Armin Grnbacher is Senior Lecturer in Modern History at the University of Birmingham, UK.