Peter Hoffmann (historian)

Peter Hoffmann (born 1930, died 2023) was a German historian specializing in the history of the German resistance to Nazism, particularly the military resistance. He is best known for his extensive and meticulous research on Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg and the 20 July plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler in 1944.

Hoffmann's work significantly contributed to the understanding of the motivations, planning, and execution of the German resistance, moving beyond simplified narratives of individual heroism and highlighting the complex network of individuals involved. He conducted thorough archival research, interviewing surviving members of the resistance and their families, to reconstruct the events and the personalities involved.

His major works include:

• Widerstand, Staatsstreich, Attentat: Der Kampf gegen Hitler (Resistance, Coup d'État, Assassination: The Struggle Against Hitler)
• Stauffenberg: A Family History, 1905-1944 (Originally published in German as Stauffenberg und der 20. Juli 1944)
• Numerous articles and essays on the German resistance.

Hoffmann's scholarship is regarded as essential reading for anyone studying the history of Nazi Germany and the individuals who dared to oppose Hitler. His work is notable for its depth, objectivity, and rigorous examination of primary source materials. He provided valuable insights into the moral and political complexities faced by those who participated in or supported the resistance.