Adolf Hitler (1976)

Although it is a good book, I find the book on Hitler by Ian Kershaw much better and accurate. Definitely worth the read if you can get through both volumes. ( )

This is a detailed work by John Toland. I read volume one, which is 526 pages. It is interesting to learn the series of events and people involved in the rise of Adolph Hilter to power in Germany. I would recommend this book for anyone who wants a true understanding of Adolph Hitler. It is rather long and includes details that may not be of interest to all readers. ( )

This is the biography of a person who thought about himself ALL the time. All through his childhood and youth, this was not a characteristic that anyone could love. It may have thwarted love, all through his development. But how is his rise to power explained? And why is he SO LOVED even today?

It really began for him, in the Army. Every unit of soldiers had its "training" cadre. Soldiers have to learn how to use their weapons, first aid, communications. These "technical" courses were prestigious and the best soldiers would teach others. At some point in the First World War, they began teaching "propaganda" in the field. The Wehrmacht has always understood the importance of "morale" - called by the French esprit de corps. But in Hitler's unit at least, this subject was not a prestigious unit to teach. No one really wanted to be the morale instructor.

Hitler, however, discovered his chance to stand in front of the group and "arouse their feelings". Under color of boosting the spirits of his fellow soldiers, he would depart from the patriotic and nascent nationalist directives, to blame their troubles on others. Blame-shifting is always emotionally liberating. Jews were a convenient scape-goat, and he was fond of targeting gypsies and homosexuals as well. And the better he got at this--and his oratory became increasingly histrionic--the more the officers shifted this segment of training which they did not find attractive or rewarding, to him.

Although Hitler never accomplished anything else, in the years of service as the propaganda instructor, it is clear that he honed an oratorical style, and an instinct for grabbing the mob's attention. He would tear up, he would beseech and bellow, shriek and pound at his bosom. Hitler had years of practicing this in front of small groups of bored soldiers who were unclear about the meaning in their lives. This maniac gave them meaning. He became the Absolute, the guide for everyone, the Fuhrer.

The perfect role for a man for whom "it" was all about.

One of the most difinitive biographies about Hitler that I have read. Toland is an even-handed researcher. ( )

This is a very hard read. Very slow, but chalk full of information on the life of the worlds biggest madman. ( )