William Shirer's book, Berlin Diary, is an excellent insight into the rise of Naziism before the Second World War. He accurately predicts much of what was going to happen from the fall of western Europe; the Allies kowtowing to Hitler prior to the war; the machinations of the Nazi machine. The Allies should have used William Shirer as the next Nostradamus - he was that good. Nevertheless, I just read the 1940 1st edition of Berlin Diary and he certainly gives the reader a "you are there" feeling. I've read lots of WW2 German history and I was quite surprised to read how accurate his predictions were. Well worth reading.

I liked this book. The conflicting reviews caused me to read it. I wanted to judge the work for myself. I am sure that Mr. Shirer has embellished his deeds in the reworking, and some of it comes off like allied propaganda of the day. I think you can learn a great deal from actual accounts of what people thought and felt at the time. He makes some unflattering generalizations about the German people as a whole but he lived the frustration the time. I think that holding this book up as a book to be taught in history class is a mistake. Everyone has a window on the World and Mr. Shirer is letting us know what he saw from his. He does point out some British newscast that did not jive with what he saw. I enjoyed the book and would recommend this book.

If you haven't yet read Herr Schirer's all time classic "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich", or if you just completed it, this is the greatest companion book. Heck - even if you don't intend to read "The Rise and Fall" - read it anyway. It gives such great insight into the mind of one of the greatest correspondents of the modern era and the great historians of the Third Reich. It also helps you to see the war from the side of the German people - after all, they did have to deal with Hitler - and his legacy the longest. As you will see, this is Shirer's personal diary, in which he speaks lovingly about his wife and newborn and worries about their safety in Switzerland. He deals with his trips to the front and contacts in the foreign ministry. Extremely well written - and a great reference during the long haul of "The Rise and Fall" (Personally, I'm still pushing through "The Rise and Fall" after a year and a half - and yet it's one of the greatest books I've read) Come on! Buy it! You'll thank me! It's an investment you won't regret.

Falling somewhere between William Shirer's "Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" and Leo Tolstoy's "War And Peace" sits David B. Charnay's "Operation Lucifer." This "biblical" novel, which twists on the premise that Hitler actually got away, follows through with the actual chase, capture and trial of the infamous dictator. In the process, the reader is either introduced to or reacquainted with the horrors of what is euphemistically referred to as World War II. Although fiction, Operation Lucifer is chucked of full real life players and places. The make believe characters, such as the US Governments number one Nazi hunter Barton Milburn, swim in an ocean populated by actual events and historic personalities. The sheer epic nature of this adventure --which spans from the darkest most horrific moment of the war to the triumph of justice in the 1950's --really does echo the themes of victory and defeat found in "War and Peace."

Although published just prior to the horrific event of September 11th, "Operation Lucifer" is remarkably prophetic with regards to this latest atrocity. Mr. Charnay's tale uncannily parallels many of the deeds which have transpired since the attacks on the World Trade Center, events which cast a shadow over every page of this book, making it, in many ways, as contemporary as today's newspaper.

There are grave warnings to be found here as it is clear that Mr. Chanay's Herculean literary effort is as much a moral imperative as it is lively entertainment. . The enormity of the Nazi calamity and the lessons that it teaches -- if people are willing to listen -- is essential for the survival of humanity. This message is too often lost in the popular culture and a kind of collective amnesia. I believe "OPERATION LUCIFER" deserves widespread exposure on that point alone. My hat goes off to David Charnay for making this great contribution to not only literature but also for speaking out on the moral indignation and dangers of a world gone mad.

I just finished reading this novel. I listened to Atty. General Ashcroft on Television last week (11/20) defending President Bush's edict to try the terrorists responisble for September 11th as war criminals. He points to the Supreme Court decision in Ex Parte Quirin. The author of this novel, David Charney ,hit exactly on the button by quoting Ex Parte Quirin in the trial of Hitler. This is not only an exciting, action-packed book, but it is filled with golden nuggets of history . This is a five star book that should be a best seller! The analogy of the psyche in Hitler and Bin Ladin is amazing.The only difference in their megalomania is the garb they wear. Both dissolute, irreligious men posed as messiahs and defiled religion. Charnay's book should be read by the CIA.

I read Operation Lucifer at the suggestion of a friend who knows of my long time interest in history, and before I read any customer reviews. I am familiar with most of the history and historical figures in Mr. Charnay's book, but I am aware that most people a half century later do not know much about the people and events he describes.

To me, he has produced a work of historical fiction, or rather alternative history, of the highest order. I found the story fascinating and an easy read. Mr. Charnay's writing style is distinctive, but easy to follow. I found myself wanting to know what happened next. I finished the 950+ pages in about a week, including several airline trips. I know I really like a book when I look up and my flight is about to land. That happened several times.

We don't know what Hitler and the other Nazis would have said if captured and put on trial, but Charnay's imagination is probably not far off. Most of us are not aware of the conduct of some prominent Americans and British figures who showed some pro-German sympathies, at least until the war turned against the Nazis. We will never know the true and complete story. This book is likely to be as close as many of us will ever get to some understanding of the possibilities. It even makes me want to go back into nonfiction and find out more.

I understand that not everyone will appreciate and enjoy the book, but since the microwave oven was invented in 1945 by a Raytheon scientist working on radar technology, and the patent was issued in 1950, the microwave oven, or Radar Range, as it was popularly known then, was available in 1953. The reviewer who threw down the book in disgust should find another reason.

You only have to read the flap of the book to know the plot, the entire plot, down to the very last page. For those not familiar with the history of the rise of the Nazis and the personal life of Hitler, this seems to me to be a mistake. There are many writers who can announce where they are headed and still rivet the reader's attention, but Nagorski isn't one of them. Too often, he feels compelled to pause to explain references (to German films, politicians) when it would have been less disruptive to avoid them altogether. Nagorski's strength is in his description of place and politics, but the personal, the trifles and insights that breathe characters to life, elude him. Oddly enough, the character that Nagorski manages to evoke best is Hitler himself. Praise must be given for keeping him posied between politician and obsessive, even the ... intentions ring true. With such a wonderful choice of subject, it seems disappointing to have emerged with a novel that is mostly lacking in both suspense and heart.

I derive no greater reading pleasure than when I learn something while being highly entertained. Andrew Nagorski's Last Stop Vienna is an amazing novel that manages to teach as well as engage. The rise and rule of Adolf Hitler is the most notorious tale of the twentieth century, yet how many people truly understand the dire social, economic, and political climate in 1920's and 1930's Germany that enabled the emergence of a man like Hitler? Perhaps better than any novelist in recent history, Nagorski does. Through the eyes of young and idealist Nazi Brownshirt, Karl Naumann, Nagorski tells a story that demonstrates in eerie and vivid detail how readily evil can rise out of desperation. Last Stop Vienna is not only a compelling book but also an important one. We live in an age where the conditions in many countries throughout the world are jarringly parallel to those of pre-World War II Germany. It would behoove us all to gain an understanding of such matters. Andrew Nagorski has provided us a great service by making it easy and enjoyable to edify his readers using his 288-page gem, Last Stop Vienna.

Last Stop Vienna is historical fiction at its finest. It is so rare to find a journalist/historian who is also a wonderful storyteller with a masterful gift for prose. Andrew Nagorski is such a writer. He crafts a mesmerizing tale that not only entertains but educates. Nagorski's encyclopedic knowledge of a Germany ravaged by the Treaty of Versailles combined with his familiarity of character and place lends an authenticity to the novel that is both captivating and illuminating. Add to that a brilliant imagination and a lyrical ability to compose a compelling and original work of fiction from recent historical events and you have an extraordinary novel. Last Stop Vienna is a very special book by an informed and talented novelist. I recommend it highly.

Dr. Redlich is to be praised for his thorough analysis of the known facts about Hitler's life (frankly, precious little, particuarly about his childhood) and his medical conditions (probably more than most readers will want to know). Dr. Redlich has produced a well-balanced clinical portrayal of Hitler, based on what is known. He is scrupulous in the use of his sources, and always notes when evidence does not support his or others' theories. All of this commendable, and I salute Dr. Redlich for writing what should be the final word on Hitler's medical problems.

The problem I have with the book is that it is not very good history. Of course, Dr. Redlich admits that he is not a historian and is writing a pathography, not a history. However, if that is the case, he should probably dispose of most of the first section of his two section book. In his first section, he compresses events, makes general statements, and provides what can only be called a very superficial portrayal of Hitler's life. One example would be his comments on creation of the Fuhrer myth, which do a disservice to our understanding by oversimplifying how the myth was developed. Another would be his comments on Hitler's activities in Vienna and Munich. I also found it a little irritating that he referred to the ridiculous Gustrow goat story, which he mentions at least a half dozen times, although casting doubts about it authenticity (and not even including the punchline of the story). The same applies to what Bullock describes as the one-ball business which is probably more Soviet fiction than fact. It seems clear to me that Dr. Redlich has tried his best to be fair in evaluating evidence, but it also seems that some stories are just too good to pass up.

Dr. Redlich's conclusions about Hitler motivations and his psychological state, as detailed in his pathography, are probably as objective as we will get for quite some time. This is a good book, and it deserves praise for its groundbreaking work in the area of Hitler's various maladies and their possible impact on his actions. However, for an understanding of Hitler and his impact on the 20th century, Ian Kershaw and Alan Bullock remain the primary places to begin.

An exhaustive, even exhausting, investigation into the Fuhrer's medical and psychological state and its historical impact. Where the evidence is lacking, for example on Hitler's childhood medical treatment, the author says so plainly. The most interesting aspects of the book are whether Hitler's illnesses and mental obessions caused him to lose the war. Probably not is the general conclusion, although the debate will go on. Some silly opinions, that Dr Morell tried to poison his Fuhrer or that Hitler eventually went mad, are carefully dismissed in this detailed account. Hitler's sexuality, by the way, remains something of a mystery.

i think that this book has a great overview of hitlers life, medical history and pathology. Anyone looking for a very informative and analytic book should read this.

This book is a classic in two senses. On the good side, it is well-written, compelling, interesting, and emotionally gripping. It tells - with much detail and drama - one of the most dramatic events of WWII, the life of Hitler and his followers in the doomed bunker in Berlin. This is why it is still read today.

On the bad side, it had been written very shortly after the war, so it is naturally dated and inaccurate in certain issues - although not on any very important issues, and not due to the author's fault or lack of research. Rather, it is due to the fact that new material had come to light since then, especially since the opening of the Soviet archives after the collapse of the soviet union.

It is, in a sentence, a good starting point for anybody interested in the subject of Hitler's last days. Trevor-Roper's description of the main events have by and large stood the test of time and further research. Once you read this highly readable and important book, you can move on to books that include more recent rsearch, e.g. Toland's THE LAST 100 DAYS or Joachim Fest's HITLER - NEMESIS.

A scholarly & well-researched book written by Trevor-Roper who was then a British intelligence officer. Note that this is the 6th edition and there is a 7th edition available in the UK. The reader should also be aware that each edition builds on and revises some of older ones contents, including superseding some portions completely. Readers should also check out "The Death of Hitler" by Ada Petrova.

The review title is actually a quote from The Doors, but it is quite appropriate here to describe Hitler's last few days in the bunker as he says goodbye to his secretaries. HTR's book is very good. Initially, I believed the book was going to described Hitler's last days in the bunker on a day-by-day basis. This occurs only in the last half of the book. The first half deals with Hitler's court (Speer, Himmler, Bormann, Goebbels, Goering, Schellenberg, et.al.) and how they were handling the last days of the war. The last half of the book describes Hitler's last few days - his denunciation of Goering; his final betrayal by Himmler; Hitler's acceptance of the end; his suicide - all make for a very surreal ending when HTR describes Himmler's silly staff meetings just two days before the war's end - incredible. I read the 1947 version so there are a few suppositions which, actually, turn out to be correct - about Bormann's probable death at the Wiedenammer bridge - about Hitler's death and his capture of the ashes by the Russians. Great book.

Stephen Fry is mad as hell and he's not going to take it any more. Or is this book a satire? It's hard to tell. Anyway, he seems to have it in for sophomoric graduate students such as the putative hero Michael Young, the student's girlfriend, flunkies of various sorts, pompous professors, unaccountably gullible FBI agents, German militarists, and the village of Brunau-am-Inn, Adolf Hitler's birthplace. The main characters are so strange, to say the least, that Hitler himself tends to get lost in the shuffle.

The action oscillates between tragedy and slapstick comedy. Young, a schlemiel, accidentally spills some male sterilization pills that his chemist girlfriend happens to have left lying around in her laboratory. He steals them and, with the help of a friend's handy time machine, engages in a little trans-temporal terrorism, poisoning the water supply of Brunau 10 months before Hitler was to be conceived. I suppose we should be glad he doesn't rifle his girlfriend's desk drawers; he might discover even worse weapons of mass destruction, like a cache of atomic hand grenades.

Logically, "Making History" makes no sense. Young is catapulted into an alternate timeline where Hitler never existed. Orthodox time-travel theory prescribes that he stay home and somehow communicate with his new alter ego, but ours not to reason why. The Hitlerless timeline turns out to be even worse than our own: Rudolf Glober, just as diabolical as Hitler and twice as smart, founds the Nazi party and conquers Europe by playing all his cards impossibly right.

And that's the book's fatal flaw: Glober is a fictional character, and his success in outdoing Hitler is unbelievable. If Fry wished to show that Nazism was historically inevitable, his creating Glober out of whole cloth proves the opposite by lending credence to Hitler's essential role in creating the Third Reich and, thereby, to the "great man" theory of history.

For a better-conceived and historically more interesting treatment of the subject, albeit with situations, heroes and villains reminiscent of James Bond films, I recommend James P. Hogan's "The Proteus Operation."

It is difficult to categorize this book--part novel, part historical account, part science fiction, part futuristic, part comedy, part drama. All in all, though, it is Stephen Fry's masterpiece. While it has been argued that his plot is already overused and exhausted, as with most of Fry's writing, the plot is only the beginning as he raises questions for the reader to answer for themselves, making the experience of this story a totally personal one.
We follow the adventures of Michael Young, graduate student at Cambridge, reading history and completing his thesis on the childhood of Adolf Hitler. Thanks to a mailbox mix-up, Michael meets Professor Leo Zuckerman, a scientist harboring a tortuous secret-- his father was a guard at Auschwitz. Together, the two hatch a plot to ensure that Hitler was never born, thus assuaging Leo's guilt and, theoretically altering the course of the twentieth century. What Michael later discovers is that there are greater forces at work than even himself-- what was meant to be will be, regardless of who is forced to carry it all out. It now becomes Michael's job to find a way to recreate history (as he is now living at Princeton University in a very different 1996). But where is Zuckerman, how can Micahel convince him that he must return to a life he has no memory of living, and even if he could, will Michael be willing to leave this new world?
The writing styles in this book vary from narrative to movie script and back again, and at times can be slightly confusing, as Fry switches between the lives of Michael, Hitler and Zuckerman's family with little warning. Once the effects of the history altering is fully understood, however, one realizes just how well-planned this story is. As with all of Fry's work, you must keep an open mind while reading--conservatives could potentially be offended by some language and references, but do not let this deter you. Fry has created a seamless book that forces one to consider not only history, but love, fate and our true place in the Grand Scheme of Things.

Stephen Fry's analysis of what might have happened if Hitler had not been at the helm of the Third Reich in WWII is brilliantly executed from a science fiction standpoint, but is also a great story with believable characters. Most alternate history fiction I've read spends way too much time on tearing apart the exact moment when things changed. Fry's book spends more time on the personal ramifications of a different life than the one we know. His writing style is straightforward yet innovative. I particularly enjoyed his switch to screenplay format at key points.

The book held me til the end, and the end made me cry. Thank you, Stephen Fry, for a wonderful read.

Van Kampen has woven a compelling, believable story which clearly lays out the Biblical prophecies regarding the end of the world. Even a reader with a limited familiarity with or understanding of the Bible will find "The Fourth Reich" an interesting and credible novel. The characters are people the reader can care about, most situations are plausible. A few loose threads are left hanging (Will Sonya and her brother Yacov reunite?, Is there no chance for Bulgakov's followers who doubt him--Anna, for example--to renounce him and be saved?, etc.) and some things are just a bit pat towards the end of the novel, but, in all, this is a book that you'll stay with until you've reached the end. As busy as I am, I read it in two days! Regardless of your personal religious convictions, it's worth your while to compare Van Kampen's predictions with your own understanding of Biblical prophecy. So much of the Book of Revelation is difficult to understand for the average person; Van Kampen spells things out quite clearly. "The Fourth Reich" helps sort things out. You'll want to read and learn more!

This is the best End-Times novel I have read yet! While I was reading this, my best friend and I were doing a study on the End-Times. I disagree with the assumption of Adolph Hitler being improbable of being the Antichrist. I really appreciate the fact of the book being based in Israel as opposed to America in the Left Behind series by LaHaye. I have found in my study that not all the things that happen in the End-Times happen all over the world. Some of them will happen only in Israel. I have also found that as LaHaye thought the Rapture to happen before the Tribulation, I have found direct verses in the Bible stating the Rapture to happen in the Middle of the Tribulation. (Revelation 10:5-7, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52) The Last Trumpet is sounded in Revelation 12:15. I say again, this is the most accurate End-Times novel I have read yet.

I like it. I love it. Yes, I am a bible believing person. I am a christian. I've read the scriptures concerning the End Times. Everything in the book that happens goes according to scripture. There's only one thing, nobody's certain whether the rapture will happen before the tribulation period, or in the middle. But, it's very true to life. Many are afraid of what will happen during this time. BE REST ASSURED... IT WILL HAPPEN. It may be listed under "fiction" but that doesn't mean that it's not real. That just shows where people hold it in their esteem. If you read the bible, you can find out exactly how many of the old testament prophecies were fulfilled about Christ... it will shock you to know that all of them, (except those that will be fulfilled in the second coming) have been fulfilled. Also, the bible has never been proven wrong. NEVER. I've read and seen the truth. Please read the Bible, then read this book. If you are a christian who doesn't totally understand what the tribulation will be like, read this book. I think it's worth 5... not 4... stars

Was it a page-turner? Maybe. Did it make me embarrassed to be reading it? Yes.

This book features a solid idea, a stupid plot, average writing and B-movie twists that require the kind of faith leaps usually reserved for suicide cults.

You may like this book. But you are smarter than this.

I will never understand why King recommended this novel.

Halfway through this rather lengthy novel, I found myself wondering why I was reading it. At that point, however, I found it impossible just to stop reading it! Good thing I didn't! This is an unusual book in its plotting, pacing, and the complexity of its characters. The whole premise of a "reincarnated Hitler" is far-fetched, indeed, but Boyll handles it with finesse and you as the reader know that there is something deeper than this hypnosis-induced confession. The book is populated with some very likeable and dislikable characters. Hank and Rebecca Thorwald are interesting victims, in that they try to react in ways that would get them out of their predicament. Rebecca is particularly resourceful, determined, and a strong female character. Karl Von Wessenheim, Ronno Ulgard, and his mother are villains of the most unusual sort. There are times when you actually root for Karl and Ronno; but the mother is reminiscent of the Angela Lansbury character in "The Manchurian Candidate"---what a witch! (Substitute a b for the w in this one!). A strong supporting characters is Dutch, a retired cop who helps Rebecca out. And of course we can't forget Alan Weston, the epitome of the t.v. tabloid host. A bitter, caustic, and lonely man, Alan emerges as a very focal character in the book. It's scary to think that Adolf Hitler could still have such an influence on any society, and that Americans would react in such a violent way. However, in reading the papers recently, I can see where something like this could unfold easily. But read this book, and enjoy it's excellence. The semi-climax on the train is breathtaking; the final scene with von Wellenheim is priceless. Look for more expert stuff from Mr. Boyll!

Michael Butts

WHY THIS BOOK ISN'T ON THE BESTSELLER LIST IS A COMPLETE MYSTERY! This is such an amazing, phenomenal intense page turner that will stay with you for a long time after you've finished it! The plot is the most original one since 'the genesis code' and the writing is soooooo fine that i found myself slowing down just to be able to savor each and every word but the suspense is soooooooo intense that you just want to read it fast! Don't let the Nazi references in the editorial reviews turn you off.....i almost didn't read this amazing book because of that....because this is such a fantastic book! and the Nazi stuff isn't intrusive at all! soooo please grab this immediately and just wallow in over 500 pages of incredible writing and nonstop action! I reallly hope that Randall Boyll is a prolific writer! Cannot wait for his next one.....sooooon?

The once well-respected historian David Irving got himself into trouble with the establishment with his book Hitler's War. Mr. Irving thinks he is more clever than the average historian because he has examined primary sources from archives and has not, like some other historians, relied on other historians' books to write his own history of World War II. Getting his material from these primary sources, he has come up with a different sort of history than the standard version of World War II.

His detractors claim that he has an ideological pre-disposition sympathizing with Hitler and the Nazis and this bias has tainted his work and made it a propaganda piece to soften our view of the Nazis. I have seen a convincing show on PBS with such a viewpoint; a TV channel well-known for being left-wing much of the time.

From what I have gathered about Irving personally, he seemed to be a careful, hard-working historian more interested in getting the record straight than being politically correct, despite the costs to his career and personal life. He thinks that a hundred years from now he will be vindicated and his history will be the standard history given to college students.

At any rate, it has been an interesting controversy.

Hitler's War itself is a fairly interesting reading experience; mildly interesting in the first half covering mostly preparation for war and early conquests and very interesting when it covers Hitler's attack on Russia. It is also very LONG; at one time this book was split up into three books and I think that would be the way to read it. Battle after battle and strategy after strategy is dissected by Irving and one can get a little war weary just reading it after awhile. Battles and strategy from Hitler's viewpoint are the main emphasis of the book with a few interesting personal anecdotes about the Fuerer thrown in for good measure.

The most amusing anecdote involved his tart-tongued secretary Fraulein Schroeder about appointing Himmler to replace Hitler, if Hitler died, which was very possible since the allies were now closing in on Berlin. "The man has no artistic sense at all," Hitler protested against Schroeder's suggestion. "In our present straits artistic sense hardly matters!" replied his secretary.

Regarding the war itself, Hitler seemed to want to conquer the territories that Germany had lost in the Versailles treaty and territory which Germans predominated in. He also had plans to take over the Ukraine in the east for Germany and make the Ukrainians slaves to the new German Empire. When he took the Polish corridor, he made some serious attempts to seek peace with England, but England was not in the mood for peace. He invaded the west to strike first and gain strategic advantage in the coming war with England, an enemy which he always wished he could have made into an ally, especially against Russia. He claimed that it was impossible to make peace with England because its foreign policy was heavily influenced by "Jewish Bolsheviks" in Britain.

As far as the war with Russia goes, Hitler gathered from intelligence reports that Stalin was planning to invade his neighbors on its western front to take out the bourgeois societies of the West and make them into enlightened communist states. Since Hitler knew that Russia was going to attack, he decided to attack first to gain the element of surprise and to wipe out what he claimed was "Jewish Bolshevism" in Russia. After his initial successes in Russia, he claimed that he had started out a nationalist, but now he had become an imperialist.

As far as the Holocaust goes, in this earlier version of Hitler's War, Himmler is said to have been in control of their liquidation and Hitler did not know. Hitler favored a plan to relocate the Jews out of Germany, either in Madagascar or Eastern Europe. I think Irving took out references to the Holocaust in the new edition because he is a firm believer in the Leuchter Report, a lab test of the cyanide levels at the concentration camp where the gassings allegedly took place. It comes to the conclusion that the Jews weren't really gassed or killed purposely on a large scale; the gas was used to kill lice instead.

Hitler is presented in the book as a leader who did not have total control over his often rebellious underlings and since they did not follow his strategy at key times during the war, Hitler claimed that that was the reason why they lost. For instance, he wanted to take over Stalingrad before Moscow, but this wasn't done and possibly caused Germany to lose in the eastern front.

Hitler never gave up in the direst of straits, hoping that there would be split between Russia and the rest of the allies and then he could join with the allies in defeating Russia. Many Germans supported him until the end and did not consider him a madman.

I still did not think that Irving is as controversial as A.J.P Taylor as a historian. In Taylor's Origins of the Second World War, he claims that Hitler was not even intending to fight a war and that he did not intend to conquer the Ukraine. --Wow, are these guys studying the same war? There are about as many versions of the war as there are historians, I suppose.

David Irving's books read as if they were novels, instead of the history books that they actually are. This one is no exception. That, and the fact that he is doing work based on a successful search for 'new' original documents, rather than another rehash of what has gone before, are two of the reasons I will continue to add his books to my library. Irving presents what he has found to the reader and lets us largely make our own determination as to the significance of his finds. This work is heavily footnoted, and in some instances the actual document is reproduced. As for the Holocaust, Irving may question some of the old assumptions, but he hardly denies that it happened. The contrary is true. As for Hitler's involvement, Irving does not absolve him of responsibility. He quite clearly believes (and says) that Hitler knew and approved. He just points out that, to date, no document ordering the extermination of the Jews has been found. How that created such a controversy and has made Irving persona non grata in so many places must cause any thinking person to ask "What are they afraid he will find?" Irving is a brilliant researcher and a first class writer. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an open mind and an interest in the Second World War.

Like all of Irving's books, "Hitler's War" reads like a novel, and could be mistaken for such, were it not for his amazing source documentation. This book is based on the author's actual research and examination of original source documents. It is not just another re-write of books that have gone before. Irving presents the evidence and then lets the reader draw his own conclusions. As to the 'Holocaust Denier' malarky, he does NOT deny that it occurred. He simply states that to date no document has been found to show that Hitler directly ordered it. That is a statement of fact. He does, however, make it clear that the Nazis killed, by various direct and intentional means, well over a million Jewish people. And that the only logical inference that can be drawn is that Hitler had to know and approve - 'smoking gun' document or not. Hardly a denial of the Holocaust by Mr. Irving.

The unabridged version was the first major work dealing with Hitler in the English speaking world. As such it was widely read for years and made compulsory for many university students.

Hitler is not that difficult a person to write a biography of. This can be contrasted with figures such as Stalin who was able to control the materials about his life and manufacture a range of untruths. The defeat of Germany and the discrediting of Nazism meant that little was hidden.

Despite that there are some things which have occurred since this book came out which date it a little. Kershaws recent book on Hitler is thus superior simply because of this but Bullocks work is by no means badly dated.

These are to some extent a matter of emphasis but they include.

(a) Hitler seems to have falsified some aspects of his background. He exaggerated his poverty in Mein Kampf which was the source of Bullers material. (b) Hitlers rise to power depended more on the circumstances around him rather than his own actions. Hitler seemed to be rather lazy (c) During his last years Hitler spent most of his time with military personal. They portrayed him as a man who was the archetypal mad dictator. A good deal of this seems to have been made up to shield military leaders from their own actions.

Despite that Bullers work is readable and comprehensive

Having read several books about the Nazis, I was interested in picking this title up for a couple of reasons. First of all, in William L. Shirer's book "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich," Mr. Shirer made a couple of references to Alan Bullock. And second, I couldn't pass up a book written by another of the "Bullock" type (ha ha).

I've got to say this was one of the better written books I've read that concerned the Nazis. He gave detail about the different players in the Nazi Regime (Goring, Goebbels, Himmler, etc) which was nice to finally put some historical information to the infamous people. His vocabulary was sometimes written in simple-man terms, which makes this a good read for people who don't know much about the "Thousand Year Reich."

Another thing Bullock did so well was spanning all of the history of the Third Reich equally throughout the book. Although the ending wasn't quite so extensively written as the beginning or middle, I still felt it was satisfactory.

In conclusion, "Hitler: A Study in Tyranny" is a great book for both beginners that are learning about the Third Reich and people who already know information about the Nazis.

Bullock's treatment is a little dry by today's standards but the material is very well covered. He almost seems to digress in chapter seven while indulging in an examination of Hitler's personality which made the book well worth the read for me. Although he's a somewhat detached orator, there are condemnations of various people/events which seem unnecessary at times, but, concidering the material, it's understandable.