Author: Max Domarus

ISBN: 9780865166271

Max Domarus was a “first-hand witness” to what he has collected in “The Essential Hitler.”  What Domarus has collected are the speeches, proclamations, documents of a man who marked history with deceit, corruption, secrecy, control, and death. He has also offered his thoughts as a scholar to compliment this time in history.

Hitler played on the fears and deep-rooted prejudices of the German people – and it came at a time when there was political and social unrest. If there were any corners of tolerance or uncertainty, Hitler’s hatred and bigotry was introduced poison and few were left without the same poison and bigotry running in their veins. We have witnessed mass frenzy since, but none as masterful as Hitler’s.

Hitler spoke with such passion before a multitude of people that it’s no wonder they would be led to believe as he did. He had a convincing power in his speeches that mesmerized the throngs, making them easy to lead. 

Many ideas and new laws described in “The Essential Hitler” should remind us to examine what ideas and new laws are being enacted today. If we forget to look over our shoulder at where we have been, we are in no position to complain when we end up in the same spot. This book outlines a controlling power paved with suspicion, self-agendas, and secret nightmarish torture.

On December 7, 1941, the “Night and Fog Decree” was ordered. This allowed for the punishment of anyone who offended the German-occupying power. The decree is proof that when all else fails, fail to give a fair trial. If the presumed guilty did not qualify for the punishment Hitler wanted, the party was to be brought to Germany. It was also permitted to withhold information from the public about such things and thereby promoting secrecy to carry out the backroom control.

In an April 1934 interview, Hitler claims he wants to put his people back to work, raise the standard of living, and “reclaim and improve productive land.” It seems he is speaking about building a better Germany. Was that the real agenda? History says it was not.

Reading through the speeches, it’s clear that Hitler truly detested the Jews and thought there should be a “distinct and pure division between the two races.” Even though the Jewish population made up less than one-percent of the population, Hitler saw them as a race that “swarmed” the intellectual professions and wanted to seize cultural leadership. They were deemed enemies of Nazi Germany and therefore were guilty as a race.

Nothing spoke louder that the pre-interview written by “Madame Titayna, the correspondent of the French newspaper Paris Soir.” She was taken in with Hitler’s charm and he proved to be a great conversationalist – even if the journalist missed the way he danced around giving a straight answer. We are often taken in because we hear what we want to hear, see what we want to see, and often fail to realize the person or situation as they really are. As then, we do not seem to be a people of diggers for the truth. As then, we are bound by the same historical messes we allow ourselves to be part of because of fear, retaliation, ignorance, beliefs, or a combination of these things. After reading “The Essential Hitler,” I am wondering if things will ever change for humanity.

The chapters in “The Essential Hitler” are well organized; a time-line of events for easy reference; a glossary; and illustrations and maps to complete the work.  This is a must-have for any library; a must-read for anyone living in our world today; and a shoulder for the future to see where we have been and the outcome for blind loyalties. 

The above review was contributed by: Sue Vogan, Writer & Author of NCO-No Compassion Observed: To read more of Sue's reviews Click Here