Adolph Hitler - best book to start?
11-05-08, 08:45 AM
#1
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Adolph Hitler - best book to start?
Years ago, I attempted reading The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, but either the writing style or my young age or something else prevented me from really getting into it. It might have been too "military," not something that can keep my focus for too long.
I got a number of books I'm going to start reading - not about Hitler, per se, but about other Nazis such as Josef Mengele, Reinhard Heydrich; but I'm not really sure which of the hundreds of Hitler biographies would be the most easily-read, since most of Hitler's story is 'military.' With people like Mengele and Heydrich, it is more (at least I believe) about their attrocities which borders on good fiction, but with Hitler it seems (maybe falsely) to not have that edge of fiction that makes for a good novel - but what would be the best recommendation on the story of Hitler?
I got a number of books I'm going to start reading - not about Hitler, per se, but about other Nazis such as Josef Mengele, Reinhard Heydrich; but I'm not really sure which of the hundreds of Hitler biographies would be the most easily-read, since most of Hitler's story is 'military.' With people like Mengele and Heydrich, it is more (at least I believe) about their attrocities which borders on good fiction, but with Hitler it seems (maybe falsely) to not have that edge of fiction that makes for a good novel - but what would be the best recommendation on the story of Hitler?
11-05-08, 11:01 AM
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I'd try again with The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. Personally I find it to be more political and is a generally factual overview of the period.
A Hitler biography is going to have military aspects (it's Adolf, by the way).
He arguably started WWII and fought in WWI. It's a big part of his biography.
Maybe a bit more of what your interest are could provide more direction. Otherwise your local book store would have a perfectly acceptable selection of Hitler biographies to get you started.
A Hitler biography is going to have military aspects (it's Adolf, by the way).
He arguably started WWII and fought in WWI. It's a big part of his biography.
Maybe a bit more of what your interest are could provide more direction. Otherwise your local book store would have a perfectly acceptable selection of Hitler biographies to get you started.
11-05-08, 11:19 AM
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Richard J. Evans' trilogy on Nazi Germany is an astounding achievement.
Extremely highly recommended!
Volume 1: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1594200041/
Volume 2: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1594200742/
Volume 3: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1594202060/
The first volume will shed tons of light on Hitler's rise to power.
Extremely highly recommended!
Volume 1: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1594200041/
Volume 2: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1594200742/
Volume 3: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1594202060/
The first volume will shed tons of light on Hitler's rise to power.
Last edited by jmj713; 11-05-08 at 11:23 AM.
11-05-08, 11:32 AM
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I'd retry Rise and Fall of the Third Reich as well. I actually never finished this (got half way through and put it down for some reason) but found it incredibly fascinating. I've been meaning to pick it up again, but don't have a copy anymore and haven't thought about it in a while.
11-05-08, 12:06 PM
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I'd suggest forgoing "Rise and Fall," and picking up the first volume of the Evans trilogy. He makes a good case for this work and how it supersedes "Rise and Fall." Again, can't recommend it enough.
11-08-08, 10:43 PM
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For those looking for a detailed history of the SS (which Hitler created), do check out "Order of the Deaths Head" by Heinz Hohne.
11-10-08, 10:01 AM
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Start with one of his children's books:
Efferybody poops, Except the Jews
Der Fuhrer, Der Vitch, und Der Vardrobe
Are You There God? It's Me Adolf
Gunther Potter and the Chamber of Aryan Superiority
The Little Bunker on the Prairie
Where's Waldo, That Filthy SCHWEINHUNDGLOCKENSPIELLIVERWURSTLEDERHOSEN!!!!!!!
Efferybody poops, Except the Jews
Der Fuhrer, Der Vitch, und Der Vardrobe
Are You There God? It's Me Adolf
Gunther Potter and the Chamber of Aryan Superiority
The Little Bunker on the Prairie
Where's Waldo, That Filthy SCHWEINHUNDGLOCKENSPIELLIVERWURSTLEDERHOSEN!!!!!!!
11-12-08, 07:26 AM
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12-06-08, 11:27 AM
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It's hardly on par with the works already cited in this thread, but Peter O'Toole's "Loitering with Intent: The Child" tells not only O'Toole's autobiography, but runs a parallel biography of Hitler. Even if O'Toole had never become a world famous actor, it would still be a fascinating read because it shows the impact Hitler had on a little British boy's childhood. Just know going into the book that it is not organized at all; there aren't even chapters, just periodic breaks in the text as he jumps from one period and place to another.
12-23-08, 07:41 PM
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