Hitler (Ullrich books)

Hitler is a collection of two volumes by Volker Ullrich. Jefferson Chase translated both volumes into English.

First English editions
Ullrich (left) in 2008

The books were originally published in German by S. Fischer Verlag. The first volume Hitler: Ascent, 1889-1939 (German: Adolf Hitler: Die Jahre des Aufstiegs 1889-1939), published in German in 2013, was published in English in 2016 by The Bodley Head and covers up to 1939.[1]

The second volume Hitler Vol II: Downfall 1939-45 (German: Adolf Hitler: Die Jahre des Untergangs 1939-1945) was published in English in 2020 by the same English publisher and covers the remainder of his biography.[2]

Michiko Kakutani of The New York Times wrote that Volume I "offers a fascinating Shakespearean parable" regarding Adolf Hitler's rise to power and highlights how Hitler advanced his political career through "demagoguery, showmanship and nativist appeals to the masses."[1] She stated that "there is little here that is substantially new".[1]

Background

The Bodley Head bought the English publishing rights in 2013.[3]

Contents

Volume I has 750 pages.[4]

Miranda Seymour of The Daily Telegraph stated that the author's portrayal of Hitler was "Janus-faced: an iron leader riddled with pitiful insecurity; a killer driven by the terror of personal oblivion."[5]

Reception

The book became a bestseller in Germany upon its publication.[4]

Seymour gave the first volume five stars out of five. She described it as, "A superb biography".[5] She credited "Ullrich’s refusal to buy into the idea – assiduously fostered by the Führer himself – that Hitler was invulnerable."[5]

Simon Heffer, also of the Telegraph, gave the second volume four of five stars, praising its use of newly available historical material and concluding that it "is one of the most impressive Hitler biographies".[2] Heffer argued that the book, particularly in regards to the genesis of the Holocaust, "regurgitates too much of the context of the war." Heffer also criticizes some editing choices, and the usage of American English by a British publisher.[2]

John Kampfner in The Observer wrote that it "is, by any measure, an outstanding study."[4] Kampfner argued "the real strength of this book is in disentangling the personal story of man and monster."[4]

See also

References
  1. Kakutani, Michiko (2016-09-27). "In 'Hitler,' an Ascent From 'Dunderhead' to Demagogue". The New York Times. Retrieved 2020-04-11.(subscription required)
  2. Heffer, Simon (2020-04-11). "Hitler's greatest mistake? Believing his own publicity". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2020-04-11.
  3. Shaffi, Sarah (2013-12-03). "Bodley Head buys Hitler biography". The Bookseller. Retrieved 2020-04-11.
  4. Kampfner, John (2016-03-27). "Hitler: Ascent by Volker Ullrich review – 'an outstanding study'". TheGuardian.com. Retrieved 2020-04-11.
  5. Seymour, Miranda (2020-04-11). "Hitler: The Ascent (1889-1939) by Volker Ullrich, review: 'chilling and superb'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2020-04-11.


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