While even many of his followers believed Hitler to be a "joke" not a threat, and few people really believed his propaganda, he was able to pull the nation out of the post-WWI depression and achieve complete power over Germany! The welfare state became his power base -- and it's all explained in this magnificent book written while it was happening. Every United States Voter should read this book, especially in the dawning 21st Century.

Der Fuehrer, by Konrad Heiden, published in 1944 by Houghton-Mifflin, is one of the best, if not the absolute best book I have read on Hitlers rise to power. From chapter one, "The Protocols of the Wise Men of Zion", the only history of this nefarious document's origin that I have found, Heiden gives the most detailed background history of Germany and the surrounding nations. His ability to take you from the end of WWI into the turmoil and chaos of post-war Europe is unparalleled. Being German and having lived through that time, he is able to impart an understanding and a grasp of the forces pulling the German people into this malestrom of uncertainty, desperation and chaos that brought the German people to such a level of anxiety that they could readily embrace such a figure as Hitler. For anyone interested in how one of the high cultures in Europe could degenerate into madness in such a short time, this is a "must read".

The Fuhrer, by Konrad Heiden, is an intriguing analysis of Hitler's rise to power that was written by one of his contemporaries. Heiden, a Socialist, who nevertheless is more objective than one would expect, seeks to show the scheming, events, and popular sentiments that led to Hitler's rise to power while at the same time foreshadowing the danger of Hitler's rule. The only departures from objectivity are those places in which Hitler is called "the Antichrist" and is said to be the true follower of The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion. The conventional belief is that it was "the Jewish enemy" that was carrying them out, in stark contrast to Heiden's views.
Although the book is an analysis of Hitler's rise to power, it is not a comprehensive biography. It starts with events that occured before his birth and ends during the Blood Purge of 1933, in which Hitler the chancellor, orders the systematic murder of his enemies. The book does not even go as far as the start of World War II or the Holocaust, as by then, Hitler had rose to power, and his achievements went downhill from there.
The book is written in ponderous scholarly language and takes effort to read. As a fulltime student, it took me about 20 days to finish the 600 odd pages. It is replete with reported anecdotes and excerpts from Hitler's speeches, correspondences, and correspondences relating to him, enhancing and lengthening the volume. If one can avoid falling asleep and really pay attention to what is being said, one will realize the clarity and relevance of the book.
I bought this book because it was the cheapest biography of Hitler I could find, and I was not disappointed. I recommend this book to all diligent readers who desire a greater understanding of how Hitler became the Fuhrer.

Mein Kampf is just another Dak Kapital. Hitler and Marx took themselves too seriously. As you can see from history, Socialism\Marxism\Leninism\Communism and Fascism all failed. Why? BECAUSE HITLER AND MARX GOT IT ALL WRONG. Im not gonna explain how becuase I would need a whole lot more than 1,000 words. I really think that when I wrote the review for Das Kapital I should have just said DONT BUY IT UNLESS YOU HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF FREE TIME. So I am saying it now, DONT BUY MEIN KAMPF UNLESS YOU HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF FREE TIME!!!

I have just spent some time reading this book for the first time, and I can only come to the conclusion that most of the reviews of this book are written by people who have not read the book.

Hitler makes profoundly accurate indictments of modern internationalism and anti-culture. For anyone who has some understanding of how empty our modern culture is, this book will have a great deal of meaning.

The Jewish Question is a rather minor point in this book, and contrary to popular belief you will find no evidence for the Holocaust in Mein Kampf.

Overall, this book is not about Racism, but cultural unity. Race is perhaps a part of cultural unity but Hitler does not argue such a point in the way most would think. In this modern era of anti-internationalism known as anti-globalization, you will find in this work the first thorough criticism of the obliteration of group culture both in economics and art.

I find Hitler's writing style to be very personal, and genuine. Despite whatever one may think of his conclusions, he writes with a passion that is rare. In the future, this book will be much more appreciated as it was the first articulated reaction to our modern times. One thing is absolutely certain, the path humanity is currently following will ultimately fail. This book is an early attempt to explain why human existence is much more than having food, clothing, and shelter.

I took this book just out of inquisitiveness and to gain an insight into the believes of a much talked about personality-Adolf Hitler.My aim was to find out the reason behind Hitler's extreme hatred for jews.After reading the book,I feel that Hitler,though a very intelligent person,lacked the ability to judge a situation in a balanced way.He always managed to see only one side of the coin.Though he was a man of strong views-yet his views were borne more out of sentiments rather than logical analysis.On one hand he was all gaga over the 'Aryan' race as if it was gods greatest gift to the earth,on the other hand he preached extreme hatred for jews,which was completely unjustified.The book has numerous examples which illustrate his extremist and biased thinking.

However,leaving apart the content,the book is a literary treat in itself.I had heard about hitler's capabilities as an orator,however this book proves him an equally effective writer as well.Some of his ideas,if implemented in a better way can go a long way in improving the prevailing political scenario.