Mercedes in Peace and War: German Automobile Workers, 1903–1945 by Bernard P. Bellon offers a comprehensive examination of the evolution of Daimler-Benz and its workforce from the company's inception through the end of World War II. Published by Columbia University Press in 1990, this scholarly work delves into the intricate relationships between industrial labor, corporate management, and the socio-political transformations in Germany during this period.

📘 Overview

Bellon investigates the daily lives of factory workers at Daimler-Benz, exploring their interactions and conflicts with management. He contextualizes these dynamics within the broader economic and political developments in Germany, highlighting how the automobile industry both influenced and was influenced by the nation's trajectory through two world wars. 

🏭 Key Themes

• Labor Relations and Worker Movements: The book details the progression of labor relations at Daimler-Benz, including the rise of worker movements and their impact on company policies.

• Industrial Role in Political Context: Bellon examines how Daimler-Benz's operations and labor practices were shaped by and contributed to the political climate of Germany, particularly during the Nazi era.

• Use of Forced Labor: The author provides an in-depth analysis of Daimler-Benz's use of forced labor during World War II, including the employment of prisoners of war and concentration camp inmates. 

📚 Structure

The book is organized into chapters that chronologically trace the development of Daimler-Benz and its workforce:

1. The German Automobile Industry and the Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft: The Mercedes Mythos

2. Work and Workers at Daimler, 1903–1914

3. The Workers' Movement at Daimler, 1903–1914

4. World War I at the Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft

5. Red Star Over Mercedes: Daimler Workers and the Revolution, November 1918 to January 1920

6. The End of the Revolutionary Era in Untertürkheim

7. Crisis and New Order, 1929–1945: National Socialism and a Model Company

8. Conclusions

These chapters are supplemented by comprehensive notes, a bibliography, and an index, providing valuable resources for further research.

Bellon's meticulous research provides a nuanced understanding of the interplay between industrial labor and political forces in early 20th-century Germany, making this book a significant contribution to the fields of labor history and industrial studies.