Hitler

The Memoir of a Nazi Insider Who Turned Against the Fuhrer

By: Ernst Hanfstaengl

Narrated by: Robin Sachs

Length: 11 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

An intimate friend of Adolf Hitler’s who turned against him during the Nazi rise to power delves into the character of one of history’s most evil dictators.

Of American and German parentage, Ernst Hanfstaengl graduated from Harvard and ran the family business in New York for a dozen years before returning to Germany in 1921. By chance he heard a then little-known Adolf Hitler speaking in a Munich beer hall and, mesmerized by his extraordinary oratorical power, was convinced the man would some day come to power. As Hitler’s fanatical theories and ideas hardened, however, he surrounded himself with rabid extremists such as Goering, Hess, and Goebbels, and Hanfstaengl became estranged from him. But with the Nazi’s major unexpected political triumph in 1930, Hitler became a national figure, and he invited Hanfstaengl to be his foreign press secretary. It is from this unique insider’s position that the author provides a vivid, intimate view of Hitler - with his neuroses, repressions, and growing megalomania - over the next several years.

In 1937, four years after Hitler came to power, relations between Hanfstaengl and the Nazis had deteriorated to such a degree that he was forced to flee for his life, escaping to Switzerland. Here is a portrait of Hitler as you’ve rarely seen him.

©1957, 2011 Ernst Hanfstaengl. Introduction copyright c. 1994, 2011 by John Toland. Afterword copyright c. 1994, 2011 by Egon Hanfstaengl (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Love Putzi!

i have read many works about hitler. this one is unique! a sane person's view of germany's descent into madness- from the inside!

Hitler the man

I conclude the low ratings given to this book are because people still do not want to hear anything about Hitler that suggest he was a half decent man with a great sense of humor.
This is a rare ten hour book that is worth a credit.

An unique perspective

This is a really unique book. The perspective it offers of the rise of Hitler and the Nazi party is at the same time laughable and deeply disturbing.

the narration is excellently done. It never seemed dry or boring; a true accomplishment for a first person, historical account.

A fascinating memoir!

Written by Hitler’s former foreign press chief Ernst Hanfstaengl, this riveting memoir offers a glimpse into a psyche of Adolf Hitler, a man responsible for dragging half of the world into the most blood-shedding war in history. Part German, part American, Hanfstaengl never seemed to overcome this problem of self-identification: throughout the whole narration he appears to struggle between his devotion to both countries, which eventually led to his downfall in Hitler’s hierarchy. The two men met each other when Hitler was still a nobody, a gifted, even though somewhat shabby public speaker working the sympathetic crowds in the beer halls of München. Initially attracted to Hitler’s enigmatic persona, Hansftaengl soon becomes one of his closest friends and associates. Hanfstaengl introduces Hitler to the influential social circle in the hope to not only restrain his manner but make him into someone more cultural, more open to new ideas, ready for the dialogue and compromise - in short, into someone whom Hitler would never become. As more and more radical characters start surrounding the unstable future chancellor, the more Hansftaengl tries to persuade himself that his presence is even more essential now as he’s virtually the only person who can still sway the future dictator into a correct direction. But as Hitler officially becomes the leader of the state and purges began gaining force, the feebler Hanfstaengl’s hopes become, until he finally realizes that from a close friend he became one of the “undesirables,” someone who needs to be rid of as well. I’ve hardly ever come across such a detailed, intimate historical account. I’d definitely recommend this memoir for all serious history buffs. The narrator did a wonderful job.

Differnt View of Hilter

This was one of the most interesting books about Hitler that I have ever read. The writer (Ernst Hanfstaengl) tells about Hitler from a totally different perspective. Ernst Hanfstaengl tells about Hitler's younger. He tells about how Hitler's ideology changed over time and about how Hitler became the cruel man he became. Ernst Hanfstaengl talks about how he and his wife influenced Hitler and about all the other people who influenced Hitler over time, both good and bad. And finally Ernst Hanfstaengl talks about how he no longer has any influence over Hitler and how he has to run to stay alive. This is well written and narrated. I highly recommend.

Interesting

This is a really interesting book that gives detail into Hitler from a different angle than what you usually get. Unlike other dopes who seem to think this is pro-Hitler, it's not and you have to be a real dullard who has never read history to think it is. However it's also not anti-Hitler read either, it's just the story of what he experienced and in that regard it's a useful piece of history. Hanfstaengl comes off like a trule upper class snob and you can tell his fellow NAZIs really never liked him since he was such a prompus suck up, but again, that is part of what makes the book interesting. Also the joke his fellow NAZIs play on him is pretty hilarious.

Overall I give this 5/5, it's a really interesting read involving lots of unlikeable people all vowing for Hitler's attention and approval, all told from a totally new point of view. The book is never boring and even if you've read hundreds of WW2 books, like myself, you're still going to learn something new.

Narration was fine. I always list at 1.25x or faster, and at that speed the narration was quite good.

He contradicts himself a lot

He contradicts things that he himself says at different times in the book, and contradicts what other say about Hitler in their own memoirs. The memoirs of others seem to correlate together while this one seems off. I don't think he knew Hitler as well as he thought he did. He was completely unaware of Hitler's relationship with Eva Braun and tried to contradict what Hitler's medical records state about his health and the state of his genitalia. This book overall doesn't seem very credible, more a compilation of his thoughts and opinions rather than facts.

Excellent look into the rise of Nazism

This is an excellent look into the rise of Nazism. There will be critics of his, rightfully so, yet his point of view is critical in understanding the bigger story.

Once a Nazi, always a Nazi

Ernst "Putzi" Hanfstaengl was a nazi.
Ernst "Putzi" Hanfstaengl was a high ranking nazi.
His wife Helene was a nazi who as legend goes, stopped Hitler from committing suicide.

Knowing these facts are very important when listening to this book.
When he wrote this book in 1957, the reader can tell that the author is still in love with Hitler. He goes into numerous stories of how smart and literate Hitler was. ( It is at this part Im reminded of Mel's Brooks play 'Springtime For Hitler' in his movie The Producers)

Once you get off the topic of Hitler and he starts describing his inter reactions with other party members does this book actually shine. Ernst's description of Geli Raubal (Hitler's niece with whom it is specualded he had a sexual relationship with) is one of the high points of the book and I actually wish more stories had been included. Ernst also had very little respect for Eva Braun. Ernst lays out numerous examples of why he believes Hitler may have been homosexual.

Ernst's biggest hatreds turned out to be against two of Hitlers most trusted followers, Joseph Goebbles and Alfred Rosenberg. He tries to blame these two people for poisoning his poor Furher's mind. This hatred probably was the main reason for Ernst's fall from grace

I always enjoy books from people who were the actual participants but Im always cautious as to people who write books in an effort to rehabilitate their names.

I really didnt like Albert Spear's book.
I definately didnt like James Duffy's book where he tries to rehabilitate Charles Lindburgh

In Putzi's case, i make a SMALL exception. There is an element of honesty that comes thru on certain topics and for this i give it 3 stars.

The book is easy to listen to and if you had an extra credit lying around, you could use it here.