Book Review: The Art of Occupation: Crime and Governance in American-Controlled Germany, 1944–1949 by Thomas J. Kehoe.

"The Art of Occupation: Crime and Governance in American-Controlled Germany, 1944–1949" by Thomas J. Kehoe is a book that explores crime, policing, and criminal justice during the American occupation of Germany after World War II. The author aims to reconcile conflicting narratives about the period, one that praises the re-establishment of law and order and another that laments the continuation of violence and disorder. Kehoe draws on Military Government records to provide quantitative insights into the prevalence of certain crimes and sentencing practices. The book highlights the prioritization of authority and control over liberal principles in policing and criminal justice during this period of martial law. It also discusses the fear and perception of crime, which often did not align with evidence-based reality. The book provides valuable insights into the occupation, although it could have provided more contextualization and explored other aspects of governance beyond crime. [Extracted from the article]