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The Meaning of Hitler

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This is the best book on Hitler I've read. Clearly written and articulated, and certainly not the sort of lumbering mess one comes to expect from a Hitler book, Haffner's volume is something that can be finished in an afternoon, but of course, will be thought about for much longer. Haffner is surprisingly even-handed to Hitler, he grants that the man managed a few surprises and triumphs; in fact, he had more-or-less an entire decade in which he went from success to success. Yet, Hitler was unambiguously a failure, and, as Haffner points out, no other major world leader has ever failed as totally as Hitler. Hitler's "miraculous" economic miracles were largely vaporous, his "brilliant" military victories came against much weaker opponents. Never once was Hitler able to leverage his military victories into diplomatic ones: indeed, Hitler saw war not as something that serves a peace, but rather, an eternal action, in which the strong subjugate and destroy the weak. Hitler's only real strength was in his uncanny ability to sense weakness in a system or an opponent, and push them over at the right time. The only thing that drove him was his ridiculous sense of his own indespensibility (Haffner ably demolishes the old idea that Hitler was the greatest statesman of the century before unleashing war onto the world--Hitler had no plans on a permanent state, or even a permanent ideology of Hitlerism, rather, the Greater German Reich existed through Hitler, not beyond him) and his raging, raving anti-semitism. When word leaked out of the crimes of the Nazi regime, a dignified peace was out of the question for Germany. Hitler, in his final days, decided, like the spoilt little brat he was, that his toy-Germany-had failed him, and he made sure that the entire nation would pay for that failure. Hitler essentially delivered the death blow to Western Civilization; he was the worst thing imaginable for Germany and Europe, and yet some people still idolize the man. They should all read this book, and give thanks that someone like Haffner existed to write it.

It's really odd how Haffner has managed to cram so many valuable and unique insights into such a small book. Others have done a good job of reviewing this book already, so I'll just mention that I was particularly impressed with how Haffner explained, without excusing anything, how *rationally* one could have come to support Hitler.

His treatment is devastating precisely because he is able to recognize what appeared to be the (early) Nazi successes, and is able to highlight just where National Socialist ideology really did seem to many Germans, even those who loathed anti-semitism, to connect with reality, and ultimately, become synonymous with reality. I find discussions like this a lot more plausible, and therefore enlightening, than those which portray the whole thing as a full-tilt collective freak-out from day one which never did many any sense whatsoever.

Another discussion I thought was particularly enlightening revolved around Haffner's suggestion that Hitler in effect declared war on Germany itself; that he came to regard it as unworthy of him and the ideals he claimed to embody, and thus was worthy only of death in the end. In other words, his decisions near the end of the war, so disastrous to Germany and the German people, weren't so much the result of incompetence as of deliberate intention. If Germany couldn't, or wouldn't, be what Hitler wanted it to be, then it itself had to be totally annihilated.

Anyway, this book has a lot of bang for the buck. (By the way, Haffner apparently was an early anti-Nazi dissident and was expelled from Germany [moving to England] some years after they came to power).

Good luck.

Being a German born in the early 1970s, during my time in school and university I read far more than 100 books on the Nazi past, for little children, for bigger children, for youngsters, for adults. Plus tons of articles in newspapers and magazines, special editions of newspapers and magazines, endless TV programms, radio programs etc. In school, with our teacher we visited more than one concentration camp, exhibitions, had jewish eye witnesses in our school holding lectures with a subsequent discussion etc.

All this was important and at the same time appeared a little bit weird to us youngsters: Because it seemed as if we had to be "denazified" in a way (although being born 30 years after the end of the nazi rule). And to be frank, someone who actually has to be "convinced" that the crimes againtst humanity and other atrocities were unspeakable horror and who is not abhorred by it right from the first time he or she hears about that - well, there must be something wrong with this person anyway. Either a villain or an insane person, he probably belongs behind bars (for psychiatric treatment).

Furthermore, all this above-mentioned material did not answer one of the most important questions: WHY?

What made german people elect these nazi devils? Little children are told that they must not draw conclusions from a persons outward appearence on his character - but in this case the evil even LOOKED live evil. Themselves, they weren't tall, blonde and blue-eyed at all (not that this is especially attractive to me). And Adolf Hitler did not look very attractive, in particular. If there had been Rodolfo Valentino, Errol Flynn, Cary Grant - THEY were attractive men of that time. But this barking demon?

I did not understand that. Until I read this book. (And I DON'T mean I like this devil!) It is really important not only to stare at the horror like the rabbit stares at the snake, but we have to find out why it came so far in order to prevent any repetition.

Sebastian Haffner, a very renowned german journalist (he fled from nazi Germany to Britain in the 1930s, just read the autobiography "Defying Hitler" by the same author ) as a different access. He cold-bloodedly analyses the dictator. The chapters are:

Life
Achievements
Successes
Misconceptions
Mistakes
Crimes
Betrayal

Mr. Haffner points out what kind of devil Hitler was. It is one of the most importat books on that era, and everyone should read it, not only if he is particularly interested in this era.

A few years ago, a friend from America asked me how all this could happen. A had to answer that I had no idea. Today, having read this book, I gave it to him as a present to find out for himself.

The book ends with:

"...And it is even less good that since Hitler many Germans do not dare to be patriots. Because the german history does not end with Hitler. Those who believe in the opposite and who are maybe happy about that, have no idea how much they are fulfillin Hiter's last will."

I read this in the original German and thought it one of the dozen or so most insightful and thought-provoking books I have ever read. Haffner doesn't try to write a biography of Hitler, because, as he rightly points out, this is not really possible. Hitler had no life apart from his politics. His biography is the history that shaped him and which he shaped. In successive chapters (and rather eloquent prose) Haffner works through Hitler's successes, failures, and ultimate betrayal of the German people, giving the reader the overwhelming sense that Hitler was essentially a very simplistic thinker who, because of historical events, was able to put his simplistic thought into play on the world stage. He remained true to his simplistic and distorted world view to the very end; his behavior in starting, conducting, and losing the war could all have been inferred from the philosophy he expressed in "Mein Kampf," which no one believed.

Hitler saw the world as peopled by certain races who were in eternal conflict for living room. The pure Aryan race was in conflict with two others, in Hitler's view: the Slavic race to the east, and the Jewish race which had infiltrated it. Many people have speculated about how world events might have changed if Hitler had never attacked Stalin. Haffner points out this was an impossibility: Hitler was a captive of his own belief system, in which Germany could kill all the Jews in the world and remain no better off unless it also took living space from the Slavic race to the east. He intended all along to fight a war against Russia, as this was the only option that existed for Germany in his childishly simplistic view of world history. And he had to launch it when he did, because (as a man with no children and no dynastic sense) he needed the war to be completed in his own lifetime. The die was cast by 1923, and the next 22 years were nothing but endgame, from Hitler's point of view.

Haffner offers dozens of deep insights into the meaning of Hitler for those who lived through his time, as well as those who have come after. This brief, elegant, and deeply insightful volume is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the 20th century.

Haffner offers a fresh perspective on Hitler, about whom most of us WWII buffs think we know a great deal. His major point--that Hitler was, in effect, a self-hating guy who turned his hatred in the end against the country he professed to love--is a very interesting viewpoint and one that can be argued and discussed forever. I'm encouraged to read more by this insightful writer!

There are generally two types of books about Hitler: biographies and analysis. This is from the latter group and is also one of the best I have ever read. Haffner breaks down his analysis of Hitler into concise sections, which deal with specific issues about Nazism and Hitler. What is refreshing is how he tackles the hard questions and provides insights into Hitler without the usual demagoguery. His answers deal with the myth and reality of the Nazi era and on top of that, his answers are generally spot on.

To enjoy and understand this book, a rudimentary knowledge of Hitler and WW2 is needed. Anyone who has read a biography or two on Hitler will find this book fascinating. They will also learn a lot.

The only downside to this book are some parts that contain convoluted phrasing or vocabulary. I assume this is an artifact from the translation and is generally a distraction and not a fault. The only other complaint has to do with a couple of his conclusions found in the last two sections of the book. They were written and stated well, but I wasn't convinced they described what really happened. Once again, this is an analysis and everyone is entitled to their own opinions.

As one who has read more than my share on the 3rd Reich and WW II in general, I didn't expect to be too surprised or enlightened by this book. I was wrong; it shows well how Hitler came to the point of being a demigod to many Germans and thus was able to eventually lead them (and Europe) to a destruction beyond their worst nightmares.

The one thing in this book that struck me as an idea that was totally novel to me was the thought that with the near miss to capture Moscow in 1941 Hitler knew that the war could never be won in the manner which he wanted. Basically, Haffner contends Hitler now knew that World Domination could never be attained in his lifetime and he turned to his other goal (mass murder of Jews) as his leading motive in his decision-making process. It is a very interesting theory, especially how it helped lead to his mysterious decision to declare war on America. I wish I could read historians response to his conclusions, but I don't totally buy it (although it is a fascinating view). I think it gives Hitler too much credit.

It may explain some of his strategic inertia but if he truly was resigned to defeat and wanted to kill as many Jews as possible before the end there is no reason for him to commit so many obvious strategic blunders that mounted on top of each other more and more. I think Haffner underestimates the effect of Hitler's drug use, sleeping habits, and his unshaken belief (maybe more than any other German!!!) in the "Hitler Myth".

I hope someone else with more expertise can comment. Also, Hitler's decision to declare war on America had to be madness more than anyhting else.

Such a short book and yet so much insight! Sebastian Haffner has once again tackled a much trodden subject with his deep insight and clear and persuasive understanding. The result is a very original portrayal Hitler and the Germany in which he lived - how he came to power, how he used and misused the power and how he betrayed mankind and his country. The book is written in a style easy to follow and understand, giving the reader a powerful insight into events and personalities of the time. A must for anyone studying recent history.

Haffner, in his spare and elegant history tells a story that many people think they know. The life of Hitler has been recorded on celluloid and spread on the History channel so much that we don't question the image of the cartoonish demagogue that is too easily parodied.

_The Meaning of Hitler_ focuses on the political career of the failed Austrian artist in a fair and even-handed way, one that is impressive given the context of the creation of the text. The greatest sin of history is turning your back on the past, and Haffner wants to make sure we do not make that mistake. This translation is easily readable and traces from the highs and lows and the twists and turns of Hitler. Much of his early life is left out and glossed over, but the reader gets a look at the decisions the man Hitler made once he was in power.

Hitler is here humanized, allowing us to approach him not on a pedestal or pillory; this is Haffner's great feat.

A book written during the Cold War (1977) by a German journalist who emigrated to the UK in 1938 and worked there for most of his life. In a thin book Sebastian Haffner is capable of gving a razor sharp analysis of Hitler's successes and shortcomings. In 7 chapters he discusses his life, achievements, successes, mistakes, failures, crimes and finally treason.

De book has as hypothesis that Hitler's actions could only lead to the ultimate defeat, but also that he tried to aggravate this defeat to make it as heavy as possible for the German people who had deserted him. Hitler had a two-pronged approach: on the one hand he wanted to fight a war for world rule, one the other hand he wanted to destroy as many Jews (and gipsies and homosexuals and mentally ill people) as possible. This last aim was in conflict with the first one because the people and infrastructure necessary for this left his generals with unsolvable problems. Also, Haffner shows that there were 2 opportunities (1938 and 1940) when Hitler could have come out with an enormous gain in territory if he could have been content with what he had achieved.

The only minor drawback of the book is in my opinion that, even though Hitler was the one who took all the decisions, he needed people to execute these decisions. Haffner brushes aside this side of things a little too easy, leaving Hitler as the sole criminal. Despite this drawback, this is till a very intriguing book.