Mein Kampf - Adolf Hitler

Reviewer’s note:

A heartless individual is not always born that way, and there are always some external factors and circumstances leading them to be vicious. Mein Kampf’s interpretation is bound to vary from reader to reader with diverse points of view. For me, this book cannot justify all of Hitler’s cruel doings and the tortures that he had inflicted on the people, although the book insists that everything he had faced and seen in his surroundings from his childhood made him the way he was.

The obvious intention of the translator’s preface and notes is to tone down the book’s ferocity and present Hitler in a ‘damsel in distress’ light. Neither Hitler nor his ugly ideas came from outside history – to the contrary, they were a product of it. Hitler can only be understood, if he is read as an author like any other.

Book Review/Summary:

Mein Kampf is divided into two sections called volumes. Volume one was published in 1925, and volume two was published the following year. The initial parts deal with Hitler's past. He discusses his childhood which contains many embellishments. Certain aspects of his family background are purposely left out. We see aspects of nationalism early into the book as Hitler expresses the greatness of Germany. Throughout his narrative, he interjects political commentary. For example, in chapter three, Hitler expresses what he considers the failures of democracy. Instead, he favors a strong, authoritarian government. The book is skilfully demagogic, however, appealing to many dissatisfied elements in Germany—the ultra-nationalistic, the anti-Semitic, the anti-democratic, the anti-Marxist, and the military.

Volume 1 mostly seems like propaganda with the focus being the social conditions and views on nationalism. Hitler discusses Marxian influence when discussing the life of the laborers. The Nationalism Hitler possesses is seen to be from World War 1. Hitler does not explain why he had the hatred for the Jews even though his distaste is evident throughout the book; he simply attempts to justify his views using history.

Hitler writes how the fundamentals of politics and society formed in his mind starting from his very childhood and through his youth. His distaste towards parliamentary democracy is visible and he proves how such a system has brought upon the degradation of the nation and is incapable of doing any good. According to him, the basic issue with parliamentary democracy is accountability since it cannot be ascertained to a single person.

An extensive introduction outlines how the book came to be written and sets out ways in which we should approach it. The book explores the different genres that the text inhabits – political philosophy, autobiography, history – and outline some key themes. A broad argument coalesces, around the topics of race, space, violence, and dictatorship. While genocide is hardly pre-announced, it is there as a logical possibility.

Through this book, Hitler has made an image of himself as a very devoted nationalist. Reading this book can shift your perspective towards Hitler from just being a merciless leader, and make you believe in Hitler’s struggle and why he became so pitiless. The book is written in a very straightforward manner. It will lead you to think and understand that every story has multiple aspects, and nothing evil in this world is inflicted upon each other without any reason or suffering.

Happy Reading.