Hitler

This book is a historical master piece full of details of the rise and fall of Hitler. The book dives into the life of the child, the vicisitudes of the young man, the discoveries of his gift(s) to the death of the evil egomaniac that he became. It neither excuses nor glorifies the subject. It just lays them out in excruciating details for us to absorb and judge. In our troubled times in America, it is a must read.

Fest, the son of a Catholic anti-Nazi, who grew up in Nazi Germany (but he never alludes to his own life), has written a masterful biography of the madman of the century. I have never read such insightful psychological analysis of Hitler, even in Kershaw's two volume biography. Fest has footnoted many German sources, which although the English reader wouldn't have access to, the author does, so he can draw on sources closed to those who are not fluent in German.Fest divides Hitler's life into three sections: the first 30 years, aimless and indolent; next, his founding of the Nazi party as a band of ruffians and he discovers his gift for oratory and controlling a crowd, as well as the 1930's where he consolidates his power and cultivates a bourgeois manner to quell English and French suspicions; and third, from 1939 on, when he drops all pretense of civility and returns to his violent roots, impetuous, indolent, tyrannical and fanatical.The first chapter asks the question, was Hitler a genius? When you read his behavior during World War II, you know he was not at all a genius. He was a criminal who happened to take over most of Europe. When Winston Churchill dubs this "the unnecessary war" in his memoirs, you realize how true that was. The Allies were fighting a genuine madman, ready to destroy Germany as well as himself as he realizes the game is up.My only reservation is that the book is not very readable. It is dense and requires patience and attention. But that is more than repaid. Among other biographies, the Fest stands out as an important analysis of the madman who almost conquered Europe.

As a devoted reader of history, especially of the early 20th century period, I probably have gone through every popular and even arcane book on Hitler and National Socialism. I've read Albert Speer's "Inside the Third Reich," Shirer's "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reach," Alan Bullock's "Hitler and Stalin: Parallel Lives," . . . yet, these books, while informative, lack the depth of understanding of the horrible phenomenon of Hitler that Joachim Fest brings to his biography. Maybe because Fest himself is German and is therefore closer to his subject. Yes, the style is dry, and the book is indeed rather biased at times--the preface is titled incredibly "Hitler and Historical Greatness!" Yet, within that preface, you will find insights and observations that are lacking in all other biographies on the Fuehrer. I myself was riveted from page one all the way to the end. So, if you want to really understand Hitler, read this book. If you want to read a lighter biography, read the sections on Hitler in Bullock's "Hitler and Stalin: Parallel Lives."

Riveting, detailed, rich with insight and analysis, beautifully written and translated.Really, if one reads only one biography/text on Hitler, this is the one to read.The historical sweep, the political/social/psychological analysis is deep and thought provoking.Cannot emphasize more how important this work is to understanding the Nazi movement, Germany and Hitler.Additionally I recently discovered that Fest produced an extended documentary in the 1970s entitled Hitler: A Career. It is an excellent documentary furthers his foundational biography, and is available on Prime and NF.

Hitler did not connect with other people, except in how to use them or kill them. He was completely into himself and was able to intimidate others. I was unaware that there were many who were under him and hated him. There were several attempted or planned coups. This was well written. Of course, there was nothing written about Trump. That was my interest and surprisingly there were very clear parallels between them.

I bought this book because Joachim Fest is a respected historian and the knowledge gaps I have for this part of history as I don't belong to that generation. I fail to understand what people saw and still see in Hitler to be spellbound by his "magnetism". HE IS SIMPLY SOMEONE ANYONE SHOULD RUN A MILE FROM!!! The fact that so many people were and are drawn to him is an indictment of and reflection on the society, then and now.

EXTREMELY detailed history. Very detailed. The translation is rough in spots, but an excellent history that is well documented. If you are interested in WWII, this is a must read

The best book available to understand the why and how of Hitler and the Nazis. Other books are better for the who, what and where. Fest is the master of how Hitler fit into his time and place, making use of it to further his ends. He explains those ends, those deep needs of Hitler in a way that makes sense, fitting them in with his personal history and the situation in Austria, Germany and Europe at that time. In the process he used people like toys or like chess pieces.

By far the best book I have yet read on the phenomenon of Hitler and the Third Reich, of their rise and fall. Despite deep analysis of all the political ramifications and backdrop to the rise of Hitler, the book developed for me into something far more gripping than any novel. From Hitler as the strong master of oratory and manipulator of circumstance to the "cake-gobbling human wreck" of his final hours in the bunker, the whole narrative is compelling; and at least for me a warning against all who would seek to devour and sacrifice the individuality and preciousness of each human being to the "good of the nation".The four stars reflects the sheer number of typos in the Kindle edition. It seems to me rather sad that the entire EReader experience is constantly corrupted by the failure of so many publishers to ensure that the electronic book is as free from error as most printed books. Even those that are pricey!

More than ever, it is ok important to understand what happened during the first half of the 20th century in Germany. Fest does a great job of exploring Hitler's psyche and gives due consideration to the competing explanations put forth for his rise to power.

Incredible book, illuminating and insightful. The punctuation after translation is very ropey (on ipad version) but doesn't detract from the quality of the book. Scholarly study so it's no light reading but by far one if the most informative works I have read about this period of history. Highly recommend to those with a serious interest.

Great read, going to take me a while to complete, I am a ss ll oo ww reader. Different insight in to hitler the person behind the stories. Complex.

Excellent book and compelling reading