"Explaining Hitler"

[Stephen]

by: Ron Rosenbaum

Has anyone read this book? What did you think of it?

[series]

never read it what is it about

[Da Black Gobo]

never read it what is it about

About Hitler?

[series]

About Hitler?

Well, hopefully something more specific than that...

[Me 262 Schwalbe]

I don't see a filmscript coming out this thread yet...... ;)

I don't know it. How different is it from other biographies? I think the one written by Allan Bullock is still the best.

[Stephen]

Hi Guys,

The book explores the different ways that people try to explain what Hitler did. To get an idea of its content, for instance, some people say that Hitler was just a monster, somehow unhuman. But to do so seems to let him off the hook, and suggest that "normal" people can't be capable of what he did.

On the other hand, if one accepts that it was the circumstances in the inter-war period that created the climate that allowed someone like Hitler to be implement such a program, this says something different about his moral culpability than saying that he alone is responsible.

It's a very good read, very intense and I recommend it to anyone!

[Clausewitz]

Yes, I've read it, and you are correct. It's just about the best book I've read when it comes to explaining Hitler the man.

I've also recently seen a TV drama called "Uncle Adolf" starring Ken Stott. Ostensibly, this is about Hitler's relationship with his niece Geli, but it is certainly the best film portrayal of Hitler I've seen. Stott portrays Hitler (accurately I believe) as an extremely weak man rather than a raving demagogue. Try to see it if it goes out on the US or Canadian channels.

[Me 262 Schwalbe]

Clausewitz, I think you should go see Der Untergang as well. Or did you see it already?

[Maj.Striker]

I think the one written by Allan Bullock is still the best.


IMHO, the two book biography by John Toland is the best unbiased (to either extreme) biography on Hitler. I haven't read this Explaining Hitler but it's by Alfred (I think?) Rosenbaum's son?