Ernst Hanfstaengl, one of Hitler’s earliest friends and allies, once noted: Those who know Hitler only from his appearances in later years—a demagogue and dictator boundlessly ranting and raving at the microphone—have no idea what a subtle and mellifluous instrument his nonamplified voice was at the time of his political debut. His baritone was both gentle and resonant. His gutturals gave listeners goose bumps. His vocal chords were still fresh and allowed him to produce nuances that had a unique effect. . . . His rhetorical style was often reminiscent of the playing technique of a master
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