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Temné charisma Adolfa Hitlera
Adolf Hitler vůbec nevypadal jako velký vůdce – poháněla ho nenávist, nedokázal si vytvořit normální lidské vztahy, nebyl ochotný diskutovat o politice –, a přesto si získal nesmírnou podporu. Jak je možné, že se Hitler stal tak přitažlivou postavou pro miliony lidí? To je zásadní otázka, která tvoří jádro nové knihy Laurence Reese.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published September 13, 2012
246 people are currently reading
1879 people want to read
About the author
Laurence Rees
31 books405 followersIn addition to writing, Rees has also produced films about World War II for the BBC.
In New York in January 2009, Laurence was presented with the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ by ‘History Makers’, the worldwide congress of History and Current Affairs programme makers
In 2011 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate (DUniv) by The Open University(UK).
In New York in January 2009, Laurence was presented with the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ by ‘History Makers’, the worldwide congress of History and Current Affairs programme makers
In 2011 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate (DUniv) by The Open University(UK).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
June 9, 2013
I came to this book to try to understand what it is about human nature that allowed ostensibly one individual to affect the lives of millions of people, mostly in a negative way.
Laurence Rees cannot put what happened succinctly in a few words, because it turns out that there were many factors at work, needing the whole book to create the picture; but in a nutshell it was because the times, and the people allowed it to happen.
Germany was recovering after WWI, and the Allies had imposed huge reparations that led to economic instability, forcing many Germans into poverty - even the middle classes. So, many Germans were looking for a way out of their dire predicament.
Hitler too played on people's fears, aspirations and greed to get himself into power. There were also some fortuitous events that helped him on his way.
Goebbels also played a huge part with his tightly controlled manipulation of the media, while Leni Riefenstahl's film "Triumph of the Will" portrayed Hitler as a sort of demi-god. Some say it is still a masterpiece.
Unfortunately, all these factors are visible in the world today, and have caused other dictators to come to power since then. Today, large corporations manipulate us via TV, the Internet etc in much the same way. The media in many countries is just as tightly controlled now as it was then, though the methods may be different. In large measure it is media barons and advertizing revenues that control what we have access to in our present age.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that poverty and lack of purpose are prime factors in creating a suitable environment for despots like Hitler to get a hold of entire populations. This coupled with apathy on the part of bodies that could have done something (like the Catholic Church at the time that said nothing on the issue of Hitler), allow people such as Hitler to take power.
What will help to ameliorate the situation as it is today to prevent further happenings of this nature? A provision of the basic necessities that all human beings need to feel part of the society in which they live that allow them to not only survive, but to flourish. Education too, is of paramount importance, but not of the schoolroom variety. It needs the sort of education that allows people to think freely, and be able to make up their own minds.
To end, if you are interested in what makes people tick, and want to know history at the same time; are not afraid of sometimes harrowing passages, then this is a book for you.
Laurence Rees cannot put what happened succinctly in a few words, because it turns out that there were many factors at work, needing the whole book to create the picture; but in a nutshell it was because the times, and the people allowed it to happen.
Germany was recovering after WWI, and the Allies had imposed huge reparations that led to economic instability, forcing many Germans into poverty - even the middle classes. So, many Germans were looking for a way out of their dire predicament.
Hitler too played on people's fears, aspirations and greed to get himself into power. There were also some fortuitous events that helped him on his way.
Goebbels also played a huge part with his tightly controlled manipulation of the media, while Leni Riefenstahl's film "Triumph of the Will" portrayed Hitler as a sort of demi-god. Some say it is still a masterpiece.
Unfortunately, all these factors are visible in the world today, and have caused other dictators to come to power since then. Today, large corporations manipulate us via TV, the Internet etc in much the same way. The media in many countries is just as tightly controlled now as it was then, though the methods may be different. In large measure it is media barons and advertizing revenues that control what we have access to in our present age.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that poverty and lack of purpose are prime factors in creating a suitable environment for despots like Hitler to get a hold of entire populations. This coupled with apathy on the part of bodies that could have done something (like the Catholic Church at the time that said nothing on the issue of Hitler), allow people such as Hitler to take power.
What will help to ameliorate the situation as it is today to prevent further happenings of this nature? A provision of the basic necessities that all human beings need to feel part of the society in which they live that allow them to not only survive, but to flourish. Education too, is of paramount importance, but not of the schoolroom variety. It needs the sort of education that allows people to think freely, and be able to make up their own minds.
To end, if you are interested in what makes people tick, and want to know history at the same time; are not afraid of sometimes harrowing passages, then this is a book for you.
June 12, 2014
The question that historians have struggled with since the rise of the Nazi party is how did Adolph Hitler, a non-preposessing cipher of a man become the most powerful man in the world albeit for only a little more than a decade. How did he convince many basically good people to either commit or ignore the most heinous crimes in history? The author searches for the answer and makes some good arguments for the creation of the "Hitler myth". I will not try to go into detail as to all the reasons why this happened but basically, it can be summed up as follows: Hitler convinced the people that he was one of them, that he was Germany; he pursued massive rearmament which he said was necessary because other nations were a threat although it caused those other nations to want to rearm themselves; he delivered on his promises of lebensraum (living space) by taking back the Sudetenland and conquering Czechoslovakia without meeting much resistance from England and France; he attacked Poland which started WWII and then overran France in 10 days. The German people saw him as a mythical leader who could not make a wrong decision and whose goals and policies were attainable. He had Goebbels, a master of propaganda, inundating the population with spectacle and quasi-religious images of Hitler as the "chosen one" who would lead Germany to world domination. But then, Hitler made his biggest mistake by deciding to invade the Soviet Union which was the turning point of the war and his dominance. This review would be pages long if I mentioned all of the author's points but let it be said that this book is fascinating, well researched, and well written. Highly recommended.
July 11, 2013
Laurence Rees deliver yet another fascinating book on World War II. He looks at Adolf Hitler and how he cast his spell over Germany. He delves into his own personal collection of unpublished interviews to ask the question what it was that made people follow him. The author takes great care to try and put us in the mindset of the average German during Hitler’s rule. As well as looking at the methods and tools used by Hitler and his staff to build him up as the saviour of Germany. We hear from those that were under his spell and also from those that did not rate him as a leader.
It is a fascinating look into the mind and machine of the Nazi machine. Even though I have read numerous books on Hitler I found this a refreshing look from a different perspective. From his rise to power to his death by his own hand, Rees delivers a masterful work that left me completely satisfied and answered many questions. This book is a chilling and compelling read and a reminder to never let history repeat.
It is a fascinating look into the mind and machine of the Nazi machine. Even though I have read numerous books on Hitler I found this a refreshing look from a different perspective. From his rise to power to his death by his own hand, Rees delivers a masterful work that left me completely satisfied and answered many questions. This book is a chilling and compelling read and a reminder to never let history repeat.
October 7, 2019
Pure evil but able to communicate to followers on a deep, emotional level
Adolf Hitler was an unlikely leader. But he still formed a connection with millions of German people. And he generated a level of charismatic attraction that was almost without parallel. It is a stark warning for us today.
At the heart of the story of Adolf Hitler is one gigantic, mysterious question. How was did a man as strange and inadequate as Hitler ever gain power in a sophisticated country at the heart of Europe? Not only that, he was then loved by millions of people?
The answer is found not only in the historical circumstances of the time but in the nature of Hitler's leadership.
Hitler’s leadership came from the power to diffuse a positive energy and a sense of greatness. As such, it rested almost entirely on him. He realised that his absence for any reason could lead to the authority's power dissolving. Yet due to its idiosyncratic nature his charismatic authority depends more strongly on the perceived legitimacy of the authority. Should the strength of this belief fade, as it did from 1943 onwards, then the power of the charismatic leader would face quickly. This is one of the ways in which this form of authority shows itself to be unstable.
In contrast to the current popular use of the term charismatic leader, Hitler showed that charismatic authority was not so much his character traits. Rather his charismatic leadership was more like a relationship between the leader and his followers. People viewed him as a quasi-religious leader. He offered an almost spiritual goals of redemption and salvation. He communicated his sense of personal destiny, in something he called "providence".
I watched the TV series of the same name. It helped add context and richness to the text. But, the book works well as a stand-alone text.
Adolf Hitler was an unlikely leader. But he still formed a connection with millions of German people. And he generated a level of charismatic attraction that was almost without parallel. It is a stark warning for us today.
At the heart of the story of Adolf Hitler is one gigantic, mysterious question. How was did a man as strange and inadequate as Hitler ever gain power in a sophisticated country at the heart of Europe? Not only that, he was then loved by millions of people?
The answer is found not only in the historical circumstances of the time but in the nature of Hitler's leadership.
Hitler’s leadership came from the power to diffuse a positive energy and a sense of greatness. As such, it rested almost entirely on him. He realised that his absence for any reason could lead to the authority's power dissolving. Yet due to its idiosyncratic nature his charismatic authority depends more strongly on the perceived legitimacy of the authority. Should the strength of this belief fade, as it did from 1943 onwards, then the power of the charismatic leader would face quickly. This is one of the ways in which this form of authority shows itself to be unstable.
In contrast to the current popular use of the term charismatic leader, Hitler showed that charismatic authority was not so much his character traits. Rather his charismatic leadership was more like a relationship between the leader and his followers. People viewed him as a quasi-religious leader. He offered an almost spiritual goals of redemption and salvation. He communicated his sense of personal destiny, in something he called "providence".
I watched the TV series of the same name. It helped add context and richness to the text. But, the book works well as a stand-alone text.
September 21, 2020
Definitely worth my time!
I felt that this book is very well researched, with a lot of accounts and witnesses, from all of the sides involved in the Second World War, and, also, with a style of writing easy to apprehend.
Recommended!
I felt that this book is very well researched, with a lot of accounts and witnesses, from all of the sides involved in the Second World War, and, also, with a style of writing easy to apprehend.
Recommended!
July 22, 2013
After you read this book, you sadly realize that Hitler's charisma was really his deep hatred of the Jews. He was not an extraordinary in any ways except how good he could articulate his hatred in speeches. While others at that time may have been more reserved or subtle about their hatred, Hitler was not and took it to an art form that made masses feel that hatred he felt and would do anything for him, even murder --- mass murder. This was Hitler's talent and this is how he came to power and caused the deaths of tens of millions of innocent people.
This book should not be just read, but studied since hatred is a tremendous weapon of mass destruction. It has always been there, but no one used it as effectively as Hitler. One needs to be on the lookout for the telltale signs of a hate speeches early, so we can detect them and stop those who would like to implement their hate filled vision. This is the main lesson we can take away from this book that hatred resides in all of us and we all have in us to go from being insignificant and irrelevant and rise very quickly with hate message that resonates with others. Honest, brutal hatred is very appealing to others who feel the same way but can't express it boldly, openly and eloquently. This is how a demagogue can get power, like Hitler, even today. We can never get complacent that it can't happen today.
This book will make you think about Hitler's methods that are still often used in politics and business. One thing that specifically caught my attention is how Hitler was able to get people who wanted to please him do things without his spelling it out for them. These people were rewarded since they implemented what he thought without ever specifying it in writing; he didn't have to. This was not the case with the military where he was always frustrated with their not following his orders when he was not being very specific.
This book offers an important lesson for leaders (if you strip out the hatred, vengeance and murder) on how they need to be very careful with the message they are sending to their subordinates. Leaders have to pay close attention to their vision and how their subordinates are rewarded. This is not easy if the leaders are not receptive to different view points and then make a rational decision. Unfortunately, this has not changed in business and politics today. The leaders still seem to surround themselves and listen only to 'yes' men and relegate those that differ from them to insignificant roles where they can't influence the decisions of leaders. This is a blind spot that leaders succumb to and leads to making catastrophic decisions.
I recommend this book. It is not fun reading, but essential reading.
This book should not be just read, but studied since hatred is a tremendous weapon of mass destruction. It has always been there, but no one used it as effectively as Hitler. One needs to be on the lookout for the telltale signs of a hate speeches early, so we can detect them and stop those who would like to implement their hate filled vision. This is the main lesson we can take away from this book that hatred resides in all of us and we all have in us to go from being insignificant and irrelevant and rise very quickly with hate message that resonates with others. Honest, brutal hatred is very appealing to others who feel the same way but can't express it boldly, openly and eloquently. This is how a demagogue can get power, like Hitler, even today. We can never get complacent that it can't happen today.
This book will make you think about Hitler's methods that are still often used in politics and business. One thing that specifically caught my attention is how Hitler was able to get people who wanted to please him do things without his spelling it out for them. These people were rewarded since they implemented what he thought without ever specifying it in writing; he didn't have to. This was not the case with the military where he was always frustrated with their not following his orders when he was not being very specific.
This book offers an important lesson for leaders (if you strip out the hatred, vengeance and murder) on how they need to be very careful with the message they are sending to their subordinates. Leaders have to pay close attention to their vision and how their subordinates are rewarded. This is not easy if the leaders are not receptive to different view points and then make a rational decision. Unfortunately, this has not changed in business and politics today. The leaders still seem to surround themselves and listen only to 'yes' men and relegate those that differ from them to insignificant roles where they can't influence the decisions of leaders. This is a blind spot that leaders succumb to and leads to making catastrophic decisions.
I recommend this book. It is not fun reading, but essential reading.
November 17, 2012
If you've ever seen footage of a Hitler speech and wondered why so many people followed him, this book sets out to provide an answer. The author's main point seems to be that charisma is in the eye of the beholder; for various reasons, a lot of people in Germany at the time were looking for someone like him to follow and were already pre-disposed to be susceptible to the "charisma" of Hitler.
If you are already well-versed on this subject, you may not learn a huge amount that is new, although some of the interviews Rees has conducted over the last twenty years are made use of here for the first time. Many of these are with former Nazis who explain how they came to be swept along by fascism. Some of these people try hard to justify themselves, whereas others are more self-critical.
All in all, a very readable and thought-provoking piece of work.
If you are already well-versed on this subject, you may not learn a huge amount that is new, although some of the interviews Rees has conducted over the last twenty years are made use of here for the first time. Many of these are with former Nazis who explain how they came to be swept along by fascism. Some of these people try hard to justify themselves, whereas others are more self-critical.
All in all, a very readable and thought-provoking piece of work.
September 21, 2015
Laurence Rees sets out to identify and explain the human factors that brought Hitler to power and enabled him to retain his grip on a major European state despite his extraordinary nihilism and destructiveness.
Rees sees the answer in this mystery in Hitler's personal charismatic grip on other people, and in his ability to make millions believe in the myth, the vision, the drama, the dream of nearly-everlasting Third Reich. Vision, not policy; this was a regime founded on belief and not on reason. Rees illustrates the sensitivity of the regime to public opinion and the lengths to which it was willing to go to accommodate and manipulate it. It built a belief in itself that was bolstered by initial success and only slowly eroded by failure. The account the author gives of this is convincing. But it isn't the complete story, as it skips over the role both of the police state, and of the social functions of the Nazi party and its affiliated organisations, which made people both frightened and dependent.
There have been many studies of dictatorship and of tyrants, non-fictional and literary, so that one can almost wonder what Sophocles or Shakespeare would have made of Hitler, if they had found the courage to tackle the subject. There is a strong sense in this book that the primary actors in this story, Hitler and his entourage, treated the world as a stage on which to enact their own myth, completely unconcerned with the consequences for millions of other people. Rees cites Goebbels in 1945, "Everyone now has a chance to choose the part which he will play in the film a hundred years hence."
The reviews of this book here show that his readers arrive, on the basis of Rees' analysis, at a wide variety of conclusions. Maybe one could see this is a failure of the author, as he describes more than he manages to explain. But it also indicates his ability to stimulate the thinking of others, and that is a valuable accomplishment.
Rees sees the answer in this mystery in Hitler's personal charismatic grip on other people, and in his ability to make millions believe in the myth, the vision, the drama, the dream of nearly-everlasting Third Reich. Vision, not policy; this was a regime founded on belief and not on reason. Rees illustrates the sensitivity of the regime to public opinion and the lengths to which it was willing to go to accommodate and manipulate it. It built a belief in itself that was bolstered by initial success and only slowly eroded by failure. The account the author gives of this is convincing. But it isn't the complete story, as it skips over the role both of the police state, and of the social functions of the Nazi party and its affiliated organisations, which made people both frightened and dependent.
There have been many studies of dictatorship and of tyrants, non-fictional and literary, so that one can almost wonder what Sophocles or Shakespeare would have made of Hitler, if they had found the courage to tackle the subject. There is a strong sense in this book that the primary actors in this story, Hitler and his entourage, treated the world as a stage on which to enact their own myth, completely unconcerned with the consequences for millions of other people. Rees cites Goebbels in 1945, "Everyone now has a chance to choose the part which he will play in the film a hundred years hence."
The reviews of this book here show that his readers arrive, on the basis of Rees' analysis, at a wide variety of conclusions. Maybe one could see this is a failure of the author, as he describes more than he manages to explain. But it also indicates his ability to stimulate the thinking of others, and that is a valuable accomplishment.
May 9, 2013
Starts off well, provides an interesting and credible take on the foundation of Hitler's rise to power, the conditions and events he was able to exploit (and how he exploited them) - particularly salient in view of the creeping trend towards "personality politics" worldwide... However, it peters out noticeably towards the end; gets very lacklustre and tired in tone. It's as if the author just gave up or couldn't be bothered and skipped to the end of the story to get it off his desk. Worth a look, for sure, but not exactly ground-breaking.
April 13, 2022
এডলফ হিটলার ছিলেন একজন অসম্ভাব্য নেতা। তিনি যেসব মিথের ওপর ভিত্তি করে একটা থার্ড রাইখের স্বপ্ন দেখেছিলেন সেগুলোর ওপর নির্ভর করে জার্মান জাতিকে উদ্বুদ্ধ করা ছিল প্রায় অসম্ভব। কিন্তু তারপরও তিনি সফল হয়েছিলেন। তিনি থার্ড রাইখের স্বপ্নে জার্মান জাতিকে বিভোর করে "The Führer is always right" এই মূলমন্ত্রে জার্মান জাতিকে জাগিয়ে তুলতে সক্ষম হয়েছিলেন। তার এই সফলতার মূলে রয়েছে তার ক্যারিশম্যাটিক চরিত্র। তার সামনে যারা বসে তার কথা শুনতো তাদের বেশিরভাগই তাদের ভেতরে এক ধরনের তাড়না অনুভব করতো হিটলারকে বিশ্বাস করার। হিটলারের এই ক্যারিশম্যাটিক চরিত্র দ্বারা উদ্ধুদ্ধ হয়ে তারা ঝাপিয়ে পড়েছিল দ্বিতীয় বিশ্বযুদ্ধেও।
হিটলারের এই ক্যারিশম্যাটিক চরিত্রই এই বইয়ের মূল আলোচনার বিষয়। যদিও আলোচনা শুধু এখানেই সীমাবদ্ধ থাকেনি। পারিপার্শ্বিক বিভিন্ন বিষয়সহ বলা যায় হিটলারের পুরো জীবনটাই বইয়ে উঠে এসেছে। বইয়ের আলোচনাও মোটামুটি ভারসাম্যপূর্ণ মনে হয়েছে আমার কাছে। যারা আগে পারিপার্শ্বিক এসব বিষয় নিয়ে পড়েছেন তারা হয়তো এই পেটমোটা বই পড়ে বিরক্ত হতে পারেন। কিন্তু যারা পড়েননি তারা এই বইটা পড়ে ফেলতে পারেন। পড়ে সময় নষ্ট হবে না এতটুকু বলতে পারি।
বই - The Dark Charisma of Adolf Hitler
লেখক - Laurence Rees
পৃষ্ঠাসংখ্যা - ৪৮০
রেটিং - ৪/৫
~ মোঃ মুস্তাকিম বি.
১৩ এপ্রিল, ২০২২
হিটলারের এই ক্যারিশম্যাটিক চরিত্রই এই বইয়ের মূল আলোচনার বিষয়। যদিও আলোচনা শুধু এখানেই সীমাবদ্ধ থাকেনি। পারিপার্শ্বিক বিভিন্ন বিষয়সহ বলা যায় হিটলারের পুরো জীবনটাই বইয়ে উঠে এসেছে। বইয়ের আলোচনাও মোটামুটি ভারসাম্যপূর্ণ মনে হয়েছে আমার কাছে। যারা আগে পারিপার্শ্বিক এসব বিষয় নিয়ে পড়েছেন তারা হয়তো এই পেটমোটা বই পড়ে বিরক্ত হতে পারেন। কিন্তু যারা পড়েননি তারা এই বইটা পড়ে ফেলতে পারেন। পড়ে সময় নষ্ট হবে না এতটুকু বলতে পারি।
বই - The Dark Charisma of Adolf Hitler
লেখক - Laurence Rees
পৃষ্ঠাসংখ্যা - ৪৮০
রেটিং - ৪/৫
~ মোঃ মুস্তাকিম বি.
১৩ এপ্রিল, ২০২২
September 19, 2022
3.5* Смесица от биография на Хитлер, история на Третия райх и история на ВСВ. Лорънс Рийс пише много достъпно и дава трезви оценки на ключови въпроси, свързани с личността на Фюрера, нацизма, Холкоста и хода на войната. Самата книга при все това повече наподобява сценарий на документален филм - с бързо прескачане от тема в тема. Освен това, подобно на останалите издавани исторически трудове на Рийс, появили се на български през последните години, и този не е снабден с научен апарат. Да, вероятно бележките под линия или в края на текста биха увеличили физическия обем на книгата и биха затормозили някои читатели, но пък тези, които искат да проследят мисълта на Рийс по-задълбочено трябва да се ровят в други книги или в интернет, за да търсят ползваните източници на информация.
August 17, 2013
The success of Hitler as a leader is one of history's imponderable mysteries and this book attempts to unravel why so many were in thrall. To document the rise of Nazism and the events of World War II is not the book's aim but rather to look more deeply into his behaviour and others response to him in the period; the use of prime sources is compelling. At the end of the book, one feels enlightened yet still completely mystified. Excellent.
October 11, 2013
Whether you agree with all his arguments and points, this is a good addition to the World War II reading collection. Very clearly written and well organized though a little repetitive in spots. Does a good job with the intricate diplomatic situation, and full of good anecdotes that I had never seen before.
July 21, 2017
Interesting point of view, but I don't feel that I learned anything new really, except perhaps a little about Hitler's early life. Average to good. 3 stars.
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December 5, 2025не знам какъв рейтинг да й дам, но беше интересна....
на едно мнение сме с другаря за религиите обаче🤣🤣🤣
връзката му с племенницата му обаче.....☠️
на едно мнение сме с другаря за религиите обаче🤣🤣🤣
връзката му с племенницата му обаче.....☠️
April 21, 2025
The more I learn about the life of history’s most reviled villain—a pathetic, hateful, transparently evil man who rose to power by pandering to the delusions and fears of an ignorant, disenfranchised public—the more I fear that the world today is doomed to repeat its most calamitous mistakes…
September 23, 2018
This is a study of Adolf Hitler as he progressed from a private in the Germany Army in WWI to become one of the most powerful men in the world. Lawrence delves into his personality and the cultural shock of Germans after losing the first world war, suffering the degradation of the Versailles treaty, and the economic deterioration that resulted. Hitler had a form of charisma that touched certain people but put many others off. Hitler hated democracy, religions – especially Christianity, and above all else, Jews. He blamed Jews for Germany’s loss in the war. He blamed Jews for the treaty of Versailles. He blamed Jews for the economic tribulation in Germany. He believed that the White Nordic Arian race was the highest-level mankind had reached. All others were inferior. He believed in the evolutionary force of survival of the fittest. Since the Arians were the fittest, they had a natural calling to destroy – completely eliminate all inferior races. He believed that Jews were the lowest, and in fact, had not reached the level of human beings. As sub humans, they were on the top of the list that needed to be destroyed.
In his public advancement, he was careful about stressing some of his beliefs. For example, since most Germans were Christians, he tended to keep quiet about this hatred of Christianity, even speaking positively at times. He gave the people things that would encourage them and make himself look like their savior. Only Arian Germans were entitled to happiness and riches. Their current low condition was caused by Jews, but it could be fixed by holding Jews accountable. Germany needed more land for its Arian people, the only true Germans, and that land could be acquired by conquering countries to the East of Germany, displacing the people there, and giving it to true Germans, who were entitled to it because they were the favored race. This plan would result in starvation and death of the inferior ten million people that were already there.
Hitler began to have incredible successes in his personal advancement and then in surprising victories first in negotiating annexations of lands from Austria and Czechoslovak, and then in armed combat against France and Great Britain, where in a matter of a few weeks they were driven to the ocean. In each case it was the majority opinion in Germany and the world that hisresult was impossible. Each success brought more Germans to the conclusion that nothing was impossible for Hitler. By the defeat of France and Great Britain, the Germanys looked at him as practically Devine in a spiritual and scientific sense.
Lawrence tells the story of WWII and the inhuman massacre led by Hitler in great detail. However, he never lets his eye wander from Hitler’s central influence in the web as Lawrence examines many of the other leaders who were part of the story. I learned an incredible amount about this dark time in history through Lawrence’s skill as a researcher, writer, and story teller. It is almost scary to watch the modern day ANTIFA (anti-fascist) movement as it follows the steps Hitler’s followers took to bring Fascism into power. This includes violence against those who disagree, blaming all problems on a specific race (whites in lieu of Jews), and preventing others with alternate opinions from being allowed to speak. It is an interesting book and shows history that we would do well to learn from.
Started 2018.09.09 – finished 2018.09.18
In his public advancement, he was careful about stressing some of his beliefs. For example, since most Germans were Christians, he tended to keep quiet about this hatred of Christianity, even speaking positively at times. He gave the people things that would encourage them and make himself look like their savior. Only Arian Germans were entitled to happiness and riches. Their current low condition was caused by Jews, but it could be fixed by holding Jews accountable. Germany needed more land for its Arian people, the only true Germans, and that land could be acquired by conquering countries to the East of Germany, displacing the people there, and giving it to true Germans, who were entitled to it because they were the favored race. This plan would result in starvation and death of the inferior ten million people that were already there.
Hitler began to have incredible successes in his personal advancement and then in surprising victories first in negotiating annexations of lands from Austria and Czechoslovak, and then in armed combat against France and Great Britain, where in a matter of a few weeks they were driven to the ocean. In each case it was the majority opinion in Germany and the world that hisresult was impossible. Each success brought more Germans to the conclusion that nothing was impossible for Hitler. By the defeat of France and Great Britain, the Germanys looked at him as practically Devine in a spiritual and scientific sense.
Lawrence tells the story of WWII and the inhuman massacre led by Hitler in great detail. However, he never lets his eye wander from Hitler’s central influence in the web as Lawrence examines many of the other leaders who were part of the story. I learned an incredible amount about this dark time in history through Lawrence’s skill as a researcher, writer, and story teller. It is almost scary to watch the modern day ANTIFA (anti-fascist) movement as it follows the steps Hitler’s followers took to bring Fascism into power. This includes violence against those who disagree, blaming all problems on a specific race (whites in lieu of Jews), and preventing others with alternate opinions from being allowed to speak. It is an interesting book and shows history that we would do well to learn from.
Started 2018.09.09 – finished 2018.09.18
June 19, 2013
Lawrence Rees focuses on the apparent charisma Hitler possessed to be able to exert a powerful influence over those he encountered. Rees starts with 1913 when Hitler was twenty-four and incapable of forming normal human relationships and unwilling to listen to dissent from his own narrow views. The book recounts his starting out with nothing and inheriting a small amount from an aunt that he used to start a business drawing portraits. He drifted in Vienna until he received 800 Kronen from his father's will and moved to Munich, Germany. Rees credits World War I for Hitler gaining a purpose in life. He was wounded in battle and won the Iron Cross, First Class. Ironically, he was nominated for the award by a Jewish officer, proving the old adage that no good deed goes unpunished. As he lay in a hospital bed in Pasewalk in 1918 after a gas attack, he was overwhelmed with the feeling that the Marxists and Jews had come together to topple the Fatherland.
The Kaiser, blamed for starting the war, was removed as head of state and, in 1918, Germany became a Republic. Nothing much was heard about Hitler until 1919 when he gave a speech at an army camp at Augsburg and a gunner wrote that "Hitler turned out to be a brilliant and spirited speaker who compels the whole audience to follow his exposition." And so it begins!
The book details Hitler's rise to power, his writing Mein Kampf, his total obsession with annihilating the entire Jewish race, and the war with England. With America's entry into World War II on the side of England and Russia , Hitler begins to lose power until the end when the allies are closing in on his bunker; he tries out poison on his dog first and then bites into a capsule and shoots himself in the head. He plunged the world into a cataclysm unlike ant that had been seen. An extra bonus is 16 pages of photographs.
It was fascinating read about a man so charismatic that he could sway an entire nation into genocide. As he started losing the war, his top men began leaving him. One of my favorites quotes was made by Professor Sir Ian Kershaw made about Himmler and Goring distancing themselves from Hitler: "It was a rare case of the sinking ship leaving the rat."
The Kaiser, blamed for starting the war, was removed as head of state and, in 1918, Germany became a Republic. Nothing much was heard about Hitler until 1919 when he gave a speech at an army camp at Augsburg and a gunner wrote that "Hitler turned out to be a brilliant and spirited speaker who compels the whole audience to follow his exposition." And so it begins!
The book details Hitler's rise to power, his writing Mein Kampf, his total obsession with annihilating the entire Jewish race, and the war with England. With America's entry into World War II on the side of England and Russia , Hitler begins to lose power until the end when the allies are closing in on his bunker; he tries out poison on his dog first and then bites into a capsule and shoots himself in the head. He plunged the world into a cataclysm unlike ant that had been seen. An extra bonus is 16 pages of photographs.
It was fascinating read about a man so charismatic that he could sway an entire nation into genocide. As he started losing the war, his top men began leaving him. One of my favorites quotes was made by Professor Sir Ian Kershaw made about Himmler and Goring distancing themselves from Hitler: "It was a rare case of the sinking ship leaving the rat."
May 20, 2014
One of the truly great mysteries of the twentieth century is how the German people followed Hitler into a moral abyss. How did such a cultured nation become the epitome of evil during the 1930’s and 1940’s? This book sets out to answer the question.
Author Laurence Rees does a masterful job of explaining how Hitler used the concept of the “slippery slope” to anesthetize the German people into committing/condoning horrific acts that only years before would have seemed unimaginable. For example, the forced sterilization of mentally ill patients leading to the euthanasia of newborn infants with mental or physical handicaps, the breakdown of all Christian religion to be replaced with a focus on the religion of the Fatherland. Throughout the later years of the 1930’s the German’s were led (and willingly followed) by a man utterly incapable of discussion or compromise. It is interesting to note that the leaders of Britain and France could not believe that the German nation was being led by a dangerous, mentally ill tyrant. Shortly before the outbreak of the war, it seems that most right thinking people thought that surely someone would step in and save the world from the abyss of a world war. As Edmund Burke has been quoted many times before, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men should do nothing”. There is no clearer case in history to which apply this truism.
The book is extremely well written and gives a clear picture of those around Hitler and how they responded (or didn’t respond) to his evil. I must say that at several points in the book I had to stop reading, as the description of the march towards the death of over 60 million people worldwide become unstoppable. I believe though that it is an important book to read, that everyone should be aware of what one man is capable of and how a society can be led so far from their innate sense of morality.
Author Laurence Rees does a masterful job of explaining how Hitler used the concept of the “slippery slope” to anesthetize the German people into committing/condoning horrific acts that only years before would have seemed unimaginable. For example, the forced sterilization of mentally ill patients leading to the euthanasia of newborn infants with mental or physical handicaps, the breakdown of all Christian religion to be replaced with a focus on the religion of the Fatherland. Throughout the later years of the 1930’s the German’s were led (and willingly followed) by a man utterly incapable of discussion or compromise. It is interesting to note that the leaders of Britain and France could not believe that the German nation was being led by a dangerous, mentally ill tyrant. Shortly before the outbreak of the war, it seems that most right thinking people thought that surely someone would step in and save the world from the abyss of a world war. As Edmund Burke has been quoted many times before, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men should do nothing”. There is no clearer case in history to which apply this truism.
The book is extremely well written and gives a clear picture of those around Hitler and how they responded (or didn’t respond) to his evil. I must say that at several points in the book I had to stop reading, as the description of the march towards the death of over 60 million people worldwide become unstoppable. I believe though that it is an important book to read, that everyone should be aware of what one man is capable of and how a society can be led so far from their innate sense of morality.
January 8, 2019
An engaging exploration into Hitler’s powerful effect on those around him, how he led Germany into a shameful war and how it ultimately backfired on him.
Very interesting to see how this awkward “Bohemian corporal” rose from nothing to become the most powerful man in Germany using the art of persuasion.
What’s even more interesting is how people reacted and the different emotions people felt when hearing him, ranging from unconditional and obsessive love to outright disgust. His charisma didn’t work on everyone. I found the story of Ludwig Beck, the German officer who ended up conspiring against Hitler, particularly fascinating. A story of a man who was not starry-eyed at the Führer.
The author did a great job (and a lot of research) drawing on conversations with people who actually met the man.
I also found very well told how Hitler clutched at straws towards the end and also gave into his own ridiculous philosophy. He justified his war against Russia referring to the Soviets as ‘animals from Asia’ when the Russians crept towards Germany raping women along the way (despite Hitler killing millions in Russia and not to mention the Holocaust). He then comes to a realisation that Germany is the ‘weaker’ nation having been defeated, and is therefore willing to let all his soldiers die, but also blames all of his military defeats on his officers who allegedly betrayed his visions for a Greater Germany.
The book is a bit repetitive by drawing everything back to Hitler’s ‘charisma’. But, hey, the book is after all about Hitler’s charisma.
Very worth a read for any WWII history buff.
Very interesting to see how this awkward “Bohemian corporal” rose from nothing to become the most powerful man in Germany using the art of persuasion.
What’s even more interesting is how people reacted and the different emotions people felt when hearing him, ranging from unconditional and obsessive love to outright disgust. His charisma didn’t work on everyone. I found the story of Ludwig Beck, the German officer who ended up conspiring against Hitler, particularly fascinating. A story of a man who was not starry-eyed at the Führer.
The author did a great job (and a lot of research) drawing on conversations with people who actually met the man.
I also found very well told how Hitler clutched at straws towards the end and also gave into his own ridiculous philosophy. He justified his war against Russia referring to the Soviets as ‘animals from Asia’ when the Russians crept towards Germany raping women along the way (despite Hitler killing millions in Russia and not to mention the Holocaust). He then comes to a realisation that Germany is the ‘weaker’ nation having been defeated, and is therefore willing to let all his soldiers die, but also blames all of his military defeats on his officers who allegedly betrayed his visions for a Greater Germany.
The book is a bit repetitive by drawing everything back to Hitler’s ‘charisma’. But, hey, the book is after all about Hitler’s charisma.
Very worth a read for any WWII history buff.
April 6, 2019
Горещо я препоръчвам на всички, дори и да не проявяват особен интерес към личността на чичко Адолф. Авторът пише разбираемо и прецизно, достоверно, с чувство за обективност. Проучването му е колкото историческо, толкова и психологическо, поставяйки ударение на факторите на средата, които спомагат за развитието на феномена в период от четвърт век (трябва да отбележа, че липсата на научен апарат прави книгата научнопопулярна). Смятам, че прочитът й е наложителен с оглед нуждата да познаваме методите на съвременните държавници да търсят подкрепа за плановете си.
November 26, 2019
Some friends ask me why I'm reading so much about Hitler. It's not just because I'm preparing for a podcast about the topic, but this personality is very fascinating to the degree that it's more interesting than fiction. How was he able to lure the majority ofbtue German people to support him? Why were so many people taken by his charisma while others were resistant to it? How did it evolve through time? How did it affect the different situations that defined history? In a way this book is a biography.
June 17, 2020
A fine read that I would say reads similarly to an essay. In my head this was going to be a historical book that would be a little more brief than that of a book by Sir Ian Kershaw, but this is much more an essay on the topic of a charismatic leader. It is an overwhelming question to ponder how Hitler lead millions into the abyss and this book does give insight into how this era came to be true.
A worthwhile read for anyone who wants to study why people followed Hitler but I do wish I was 300 pages into Sir Ian Kershaw's book.
A worthwhile read for anyone who wants to study why people followed Hitler but I do wish I was 300 pages into Sir Ian Kershaw's book.
July 17, 2013
A good starting point for someone looking to explore the personality of Adolf Hitler. I've read a couple of books about Hitler in the past but none of them really explained what he was like as a person or what drew people to him. The emphasis was always on his political rise to power rather than his personality. This book helps to flesh out the character and ' charisma' of Hitler because, as Rees points out many times during his book, not everyone fell under his supposed spell.
September 22, 2018
I have read many books about Hitler and the Nazis but there is always something more to learn. Even though I still find it hard to comprehend how the Germans followed and admired him, this book does go into the reasons. This book compliments the BBC series which I did watch and enjoy.
August 11, 2020
I enjoyed this audio book. It tries to explain why Hitler became popular. How did he end up becoming Der Führer? This book is also not only about Hitler. I had to think about Donald Trump, and how he shares many of the traits of Adolf Hitler.
March 14, 2021
Nothing new, and even repetition from or to other work by Rees.
July 24, 2022
Een interessant boek. Er worden ook dingen belicht die ik nog niet wist, ondanks dat ik al meer boeken over de Tweede Wereldoorlog heb gelezen. Zo stond lang niet iedereen achter Hitler en wist hij op slinkse wijze steeds meer macht te krijgen. Vaak wordt gedaan alsof heel Duitsland achter hem stond. Ook hebben veel mensen, ook in de regering, hem onderschat. Daardoor dachten ze dat hij bepaalde dingen (uitroeiing Joden) toch niet zou doen. Ook geloofden veel mensen niet dat Hitler verantwoordelijk was voor zaken als de massale uitroeiing van Joden. Zij dachten dat anderen dit zonder medeweten van Hitler deden. Ook wist ik niet dat al zo vroeg in de oorlog (1942) de eerste mensen hun vertrouwen in Hitler begonnen te verliezen. Ik dacht dat dat pas later was. Ondanks dat het een interessant boek is, vind ik dat je ook heel veel informatie krijgt. Daardoor weet ik nu al niet meer te herinneren wat ik allemaal gelezen heb.
January 10, 2016
Brilliant look at the rise and rule of Hitler. Taking Weber's notion of charismatic leadership (in contrast to bureaucratic leadership) Mr Rees presents a compelling case that Hitler led almost exclusively using charisma. The Reich is often viewed as a totalitarian police state, which it was, but the terror was limited to fringe groups. Average Germans were persuaded rather than compelled.
The staggering apotheosis from a ordinary corporal to Fuhrer is beyond comprehension but this book gives a window of insight into how it happened. Hitler's passionate use of words and persuasive technic stems from his true belief in the destiny Germany, which was bound with hi own destiny. He was not content to simply have power, he demanded, and usually received, absolute loyalty.
His rise to power is summarized by the framing of his political idea in a vague, pragmatic language that allowed desperate Germans to fill in their own aspiration. He was fanatical with crowds, but unimpressive in person, at least at first. Once the Hitler myth was fully in play, he was surrounded with a reality distortion field that Steve Jobs could only dream of. People seem to have felt they were in the presence of a deity. Nero has nothing over Hitler in the delusion of divinity. In his personal interactions, Hitler came across as completely remarkable or absolutely vapid. One was either in the cult or the cult looked ridiculous.
Rees outlines how Hitler's speeches began with the present troubles and led to the idealistic future he envisioned. All the present troubles were not the fault of the people, but the fault of others: Capitalists, the Treaty of Versailles, the November Criminals and of course, behind it all, the Jews. Who wouldn't like to be convinced that the problems of the country is facing are due to outsiders. This operated as a kind of cathartic release for the people. The rallies became a near religious experience. From suffering to ecstasy. Hitler instinctively knew how to shape the emotions of crowds, often making them wait for hours before he began.
The overriding theme of the Reich was struggle. Germany must struggle with its enemies and either thrive and reign or fail and die. Social Darwinism dictated that nature and nations are in a struggle for survival.
In the struggle, will reigns supreme. Hitler and his Nazi henchmen were certain that will alone would help them achieve their objective. They took Nietzsche's 'will to power' rather literally. This worked out in practice as no compromising.
From the beginning, Hitler had no discussions with subordinates. There was no consulting of experts. Others were free to make there case, but in the end Hitler would explain the error of their ways. He sometimes returned explanatory memorandum as he didn't want to be tainted before he made decisions. Decisions were made solely by intuition and then enforced by will.
The use of intuition to make decisions flowed from Hitler's belief in his own infallibility. He saw himself as the embodiment of the German soul. He believed himself to care more for the future of Germany than anyone else.
The crossing hierarchies of the Third Reich contrast with the standard model of Nazi Germany as a straightforward, efficient hierarchy. The centrality of struggle is seen in the governance model. Almost every line of authority was crossed by another. The tangled web only came to a straightforward conclusion at the top. And Hitler only made the decisions he chose to make or when subordinates were at loggerhead.
With will as a central aspect, high stakes gambling was inevitable. Hitler put all his chips on the table many times and walked away with the spoils for years. His first big gamble was not accepting any position in government but chancellor. Regretfully, he got his way when the elites underestimated his ability and treachery. This was followed by gambles for the Ruhr, Austria, Sudetenland, Slovakia, Poland, France and finally for Russia. At every stage, he held few cards but played a high stakes bluff. No one called his bluff. Reality finally overcame Hitler's will in Russia. Rees does a fine job explaining the invasion of the East was widely seen as a logical next step, not the insane, suicidal operation we now know it was.
Suffering also played a role in his projection of charisma. Hitler suffered for the German people. He carried a heavy yoke. Images of Hitler often cast a shadow of suffering on his face. As the new German saviour would, Hitler was shown to have suffered for his people.
The charisma of Hitler was not created in isolation. The German people are implicated in seeing only what they wanted. They were instrumental in building the Hitler myth. For this, they must bear responsibility. When the charisma of Hitler collapsed, the result was personal devastation for many who held him up as a near god. The crumbling began in 42, and grew slowly through 44 and by March 45, the disillusion was nearly universal.
The book is an excellent read. One of the best of the period. Lucidly written and well organized. If you have a basic framework of the history of the period (say Richard Evans masterful 3 volume history), this is an excellent study to flesh out some of the techniques of the Nazi's and the motivations of the German people. It provides an insightful look under the hood of Hitler's demonic leadership.
Pray the world never again sees that combination of circumstances, charisma, and evil.
The staggering apotheosis from a ordinary corporal to Fuhrer is beyond comprehension but this book gives a window of insight into how it happened. Hitler's passionate use of words and persuasive technic stems from his true belief in the destiny Germany, which was bound with hi own destiny. He was not content to simply have power, he demanded, and usually received, absolute loyalty.
His rise to power is summarized by the framing of his political idea in a vague, pragmatic language that allowed desperate Germans to fill in their own aspiration. He was fanatical with crowds, but unimpressive in person, at least at first. Once the Hitler myth was fully in play, he was surrounded with a reality distortion field that Steve Jobs could only dream of. People seem to have felt they were in the presence of a deity. Nero has nothing over Hitler in the delusion of divinity. In his personal interactions, Hitler came across as completely remarkable or absolutely vapid. One was either in the cult or the cult looked ridiculous.
Rees outlines how Hitler's speeches began with the present troubles and led to the idealistic future he envisioned. All the present troubles were not the fault of the people, but the fault of others: Capitalists, the Treaty of Versailles, the November Criminals and of course, behind it all, the Jews. Who wouldn't like to be convinced that the problems of the country is facing are due to outsiders. This operated as a kind of cathartic release for the people. The rallies became a near religious experience. From suffering to ecstasy. Hitler instinctively knew how to shape the emotions of crowds, often making them wait for hours before he began.
The overriding theme of the Reich was struggle. Germany must struggle with its enemies and either thrive and reign or fail and die. Social Darwinism dictated that nature and nations are in a struggle for survival.
In the struggle, will reigns supreme. Hitler and his Nazi henchmen were certain that will alone would help them achieve their objective. They took Nietzsche's 'will to power' rather literally. This worked out in practice as no compromising.
From the beginning, Hitler had no discussions with subordinates. There was no consulting of experts. Others were free to make there case, but in the end Hitler would explain the error of their ways. He sometimes returned explanatory memorandum as he didn't want to be tainted before he made decisions. Decisions were made solely by intuition and then enforced by will.
The use of intuition to make decisions flowed from Hitler's belief in his own infallibility. He saw himself as the embodiment of the German soul. He believed himself to care more for the future of Germany than anyone else.
The crossing hierarchies of the Third Reich contrast with the standard model of Nazi Germany as a straightforward, efficient hierarchy. The centrality of struggle is seen in the governance model. Almost every line of authority was crossed by another. The tangled web only came to a straightforward conclusion at the top. And Hitler only made the decisions he chose to make or when subordinates were at loggerhead.
With will as a central aspect, high stakes gambling was inevitable. Hitler put all his chips on the table many times and walked away with the spoils for years. His first big gamble was not accepting any position in government but chancellor. Regretfully, he got his way when the elites underestimated his ability and treachery. This was followed by gambles for the Ruhr, Austria, Sudetenland, Slovakia, Poland, France and finally for Russia. At every stage, he held few cards but played a high stakes bluff. No one called his bluff. Reality finally overcame Hitler's will in Russia. Rees does a fine job explaining the invasion of the East was widely seen as a logical next step, not the insane, suicidal operation we now know it was.
Suffering also played a role in his projection of charisma. Hitler suffered for the German people. He carried a heavy yoke. Images of Hitler often cast a shadow of suffering on his face. As the new German saviour would, Hitler was shown to have suffered for his people.
The charisma of Hitler was not created in isolation. The German people are implicated in seeing only what they wanted. They were instrumental in building the Hitler myth. For this, they must bear responsibility. When the charisma of Hitler collapsed, the result was personal devastation for many who held him up as a near god. The crumbling began in 42, and grew slowly through 44 and by March 45, the disillusion was nearly universal.
The book is an excellent read. One of the best of the period. Lucidly written and well organized. If you have a basic framework of the history of the period (say Richard Evans masterful 3 volume history), this is an excellent study to flesh out some of the techniques of the Nazi's and the motivations of the German people. It provides an insightful look under the hood of Hitler's demonic leadership.
Pray the world never again sees that combination of circumstances, charisma, and evil.
May 22, 2024
Me parece increíble lo cíclica que es la historia y como casi 100 años después volvemos a buscar líderes con las mismas características de Hitler, el ascenso de la derecha radical en todo el mundo es preocupante, más cuando ese mismo ascenso es producto de la inoperancia de la izquierda que no ha hecho más que mentir, robar y hacerse la víctima. Así como en 1930 en este 2024 me temo que tiempos oscuros se vislumbran para la humanidad, espero equivocarme
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