Matthew D Hockenos

About the Author

Matthew D. Hockenos is a distinguished historian and professor of history at Hunter College, City University of New York, where he has taught for over two decades. Specializing in modern European history, particularly the intersections of religion, politics, and resistance during the Nazi era, Hockenos brings a nuanced perspective to his scholarship. His acclaimed book, Then They Came for Me: Martin Niemöller, the Pastor Who Defied the Nazis, offers a compelling biography of the German theologian who boldly opposed Hitler, exploring themes of moral courage and the role of the church in times of tyranny. Drawing on extensive archival research, Hockenos illuminates the complexities of individual conscience amid collective complicity, making historical events resonate with contemporary relevance. His work has been praised for its rigorous analysis and accessible prose, contributing significantly to our understanding of 20th-century Germany's turbulent legacy.