Israeli Painting

Book Description

Destruction and Evil Meet Life and Peace

Adolf Hitler spilled the blood of millions for his own sake. Jesus Christ shed his own blood for the sake of millions. Hitler set himself up as a god and the masses succumbed. Jesus Christ was God in the form of lowly man. Hitler created a living hell for the masses. Jesus endured hell to save the masses. Hitler’s name is synonymous with power, evil, and genocide. Jesus’ name with love, peace, and life. Put the two in a room together and you won’t believe your ears. The third compelling book in Ravi Zacharias’ Great Conversations series addresses fundamental issues of life and death, the evil of violence in light of the value of human life, and other tough issues in modern society.

Adolf Hitler

Evil. Hatred. Pride. Destruction.

Jesus Christ

Peace. Love. Humility. Life.

What could they possibly have to talk about?

In this compelling dialogue, two men of contrasting values meet face-to-face. They address fundamental issues of life and death, the evil of violence in light of the value of human life, and the timeless search for unity in diversity. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German pastor Hitler ordered hanged, joins in and the heat intensifies when the three begin to weigh the value of relationships, love, and forgiveness.

You won’t want to miss this imaginative discourse that will take you inside the mind of one of the most brutal tyrants of all timeâ¦and the very God who made him.

âThe works of Ravi Zacharias are a vital resource around our house.â

Frank Peretti

Story Behind the Book

This third book in the intriguing Great Conversations series takes Jesus out of the New Testament setting and places him in the 1900s to confront one of the world’s most influential people of all timeâAdolf Hitler. The other books in the series reveal fictitious conversations Jesus might have with Buddha and with Oscar Wilde. The three books combine to attract readers who have friends practicing other religions, or who admire or question contemporary figures. These conversations are rich, begging for eavesdroppers.

Customer Reviews:

Refreshing, Entertaining & Enlightening!.......2007-05-20

I have to agree with others, the author does get sidetracked. But what an easy and enjoyable read! Ravi's theology is fascinating and refined and it all comes out well in this fictional conversation. The ending is not exactly what you would expect either and the author is fearless in diving into some of the most difficult theological paradoxes.

Ever wonder what the fiinal hour of life could contain?.......2007-01-10

Ravi Zacharais writes of a conversation that a very alive Jesus and Dietrich Bonhoeffer could have had with Hitler. This is a view of how much Hitler could rationalize like humans are prone to do.

The conclusion is riveting as Jesus calls Hitler to stay close to him as He walks to the "narrow gate", and what Hitler might have done as he approached it. I won't spoil the ending for you. It is well worth the read.

Great Concept, Interesting Premise, but Gets Sidetracked, Too Little Actually Delivered.......2006-07-03

This book looks terrific! It is a beautifully designed gift book, along the style of THE PRAYER OF JABEZ bestseller.

This is also a very intriguing topic and title for the book. But, unfortunately, too little time is spent on the actual conversation between Jesus and Hitler themselves.

The book is written in a script format, where the "name:" and colon appears, then you read what that person is saying.

It's too bad that the book gets sidetracked from the beginning, starting out with a totally excessive, fictional dialogue between two young adults, traveling through Germany, discussing contemporary views, all meant to set up the Jesus/Hitler dialogue. Any reader of Ravi's is already understanding the concept of a fictional conversation between these two famous figures, both of whom are responsible for major turning points in human history, so we do not need the fictional characters to re-explain the concept, or to make the fictional conversation seem logical. On top of that, the fictional characters don't even end the book, but just disappear after their introduction. So this fictional device is not only unnecessary, but it is also poorly executed. Ravi is much better at non-fiction construction, indeed.

The two fictional contemporary adults are a bit too elementary and frustrating to read through, and I would have much more preferred reading Ravi speaking in his own voice, explaining any historical or thematic elements that he felt needed to be said. This would have saved time and made the book better paced and more succinct.

The main section of the book is about Hitler being on trial by Jesus, with several witnesses being called, presumably on Judgment Day, (depending on which details of Scripture you may lean towards in your understanding of the final judgments, etc). This section gets bogged down, too, with extended dialogues from the witnesses. It seems like Hitler spends as much time in dialogue with the witnesses as he spends with Jesus. These witnesses may have good points, but it is STILL not what the book cover promised--dialogue between Jesus and Hitler!

Then the worst part is after Hitler is found guilty and condemned, the punishment is glossed over. Instead of a fiery torment as the Bible teaches, Hitler is merely banished from the presence of God. What non-believer is going to be afraid of not being around God? Non-believers have spent their whole lives ignoring God, and they are not likely to be concerned about a punishment that only amounts to not being around God -- a punishment they cannot grasp the ramifications of, nor will they be intimidated. Jesus tells the story of Lazarus and the rich man, and the rich man is ON FIRE, in Hell, forever. We do NOT need to weaken the terror and torment of how Jesus describes Hell and eternal damnation. It is fine to say Hitler is out of the presence of God, but please do not leave out the fire and brimstone. That is the only thing that concerns non-believers, punishment--not solitude. The book's ending gives a watered down version of what the Bible teaches about Hell, and I am a little surprised. This is the weakest bit of theology that I have ever heard or read from Ravi, to date.

I really enjoy author Ravi Zacharias' weekly radio shows! His is the most intellectual and cerebral of any Christian radio personalities broadcast in my area. He is VERY good at explaining Biblical concepts using logic that can be understood even by non-believers, and he is a welcome addition to the many radio shows that do not offer that accessibility for non-believers who are deep thinkers.

I have read Ravi's new autobiography, WALKING FROM EAST TO WEST, which is a real page-turner for any listeners or readers of Ravi's. It is pretty much his Christian testimony about his own life and how he got Saved! I am currently reading Ravi's non-fiction book THE REAL FACE OF ATHEISM, which is also a good read. Both of these books are non-fiction, and much better written than this gift book, THE LAMB AND THE FUHRER.

A Good read for a Jewish Believer.......2006-02-23

Ravi Zacharias does an excellent job in his portrayal of how Hitler probably acted when he was confronted with the Real ruler of the world, Jesus Christ. I was struck with the parallels between the way that Hitler thought and the way alot of dictators in the Middle East think today. Some of the very same agendas are still propagated. The only way to defeat the Darkness that so pervades this world is with the Prince of Peace, Jesus. I hope Ravi may continue this series, as all of his Great Conversation books have shone the light of Jesus on the world's way of thinking.

Bit contrived, but great discussion flashpoint.......2005-11-26

This book is the latest installment of Ravi Zacharias's "Great Conversations" series. Essentially it is a dialogue between Hitler (after he dies), Dietrich Bonhoeffer (a German pastor who tried to assassinate Hitler), and Yeshua (Jesus). The book is short, to the point, and pretty easy to read.

In a sense, the book is kind of like cardboard. Yeshua, the king of kings, doesn't sound so eloquent, and seems to "debate" not as you might expect. There is not a lot of mentioned about the Jewish question (Hitler discussing the "Jewish Problem" with the Jewish Messiah would have made quite a discussion ...). At times the book seems to be more of a defense of Bonhoeffer's choice to assassinate Hitler than anything else. And the ending of the dialogue was a bit strange, but of course what you expected (ie, Hitler's separation from God).

But despite these deficiencies, I think the book is a great example of the Socratic Method, which is seemingly rarely used in literature today. The topic could not be more interesting, and in fact the whole reason I got the book. And it is easy to criticize anyone trying to say "what Yeshua would say." So how regal should Yeshua sound? Can limited man represent what The Almighty might say, etc. So I can't be too harsh here.

In the end, I think this book is a wonderful idea but it just didn't work as well as I had hoped. I plan on checking out one of the other books in the series. Id give it 3.5 stars in reality.

But this book does accomplish one thing for sure; it will be a center piece of discussion. For a fascinating Bible study, try a discussion about the dialogue (using Bible verses to support your claims). It doesn't get more Jewish than that; the topic of the Holocaust, and open discussion would make for a great study, and in particular a great Messianic Bible study. You see, this is why the book works. The dialogue is a bit forced, and the script is a bit contrived. But the topics are essential cornerstone about good and evil, and cannot be ignored by anyone who is interested in philosophy, religion, and so on. Id check it out.

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Disappointing, pedantic and dull, a book that reveals more about the author than the subject.
Excellent biography of Donitz

Donitz: The Last Fuhrer
Peter Padfield
Manufacturer: Cassell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

This is the definitive biography of Grand Admiral Karl Donitz, one of the major commanders of the Second World War. The Sunday Telegraph described it as "compellingly readable". As supreme commander of the Kreigsmarine, Doenitz was responsible for the staggering death toll among the U-boat crews he sent out to fight the battle of the Atlantic, a bitter contest that constantly threatened to cut Allies' vital supply lifeline. But this is more than a study of war at sea: it is an unflinching portrait of a dedicated officer who was corrupted by his inner need for a cause and a leader to serve. Doenitz of course discovered both in Adolf Hitler, who found in the admiral his most loyal supporter and confidant and duly appointed him his successor, the last fuhrer of the third Reich - which he indeed became for a few short days in 1945.

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing, pedantic and dull, a book that reveals more about the author than the subject........2006-08-09

Do not read this book if you have any interest in German naval strategy or tactics during World War II, nor indeed if you have any interest in an objective appraisal of the life and work of Karl Donitz as a man. This book is undoubtedly well researched, with the co-operation of some people close to Donitz, including his family, but that research is utterly wasted by the author's own cultural prejudices.

There are precious few times when objectivity is allowed a rear its head by the author. These are to be found in the acknowledgements where the author states that he knows that this book will hurt member's of Donitz's family who helped him; in the introduction where the author acknowledges the difficulties that the cultural divide has caused him and in the postscript where the author truthfully reports that other reviews found he displayed "distaste" for Donitz, even "torturing" the evidence against him.... a total want of charity."

The few good words that are said about Donitz almost all come from other Naval personalities, especially his superiors during his rise up the ranks and his contemporaries in the Allied navies. The author even acknowledges that the official histories of the Allied navies are generous towards Donitz, but that does not alter his perspective.

Throughout the book, the author refers to the German struggle against `England' in both World Wars rather than against the British Empire or even Britain. That is central to the author's flaws. The American and Canadian navies are barely mentioned in the book, unless there is an opportunity for criticising them as well! The Empire navies don't seem to exist. Every alleged or real atrocity by U-boats crews is rehearsed with scarcely an acknowledgement that atrocities were also carried out by Allied navies. That the German's may sometimes have been reacting to British or Allied acts, is never conceded.

There is a complete absence of analysis of the actual battles in the Atlantic. These are mentioned at the most superficial, strategic level. Even this level of analysis is corrupted. Unlike Winston Churchill, the author does not allow for a second, that had Donitz managed to have greater influence on German military and naval strategy at the start of the war, then Germany might have won the Battle of the Atlantic.

There is barely a paragraph that isn't laced with a very amateur psychologist's attempt to interpret Donitz's actions, usually as pejoratively as possible, regardless of lack of evidence. For example `photographs of him from the period convey an impression of a man peering out suspiciously from inside his skull as if haunted by the past and wondering whether it was going to blow up beneath him' The author strongly believes Donitz should have received the death penalty at Nuremburg. Many readers will find that this book may be more deserving of the death penalty.

Excellent biography of Donitz.......2002-10-07

Karl Donitz began his career as a Naval officer at about the age of twenty, being commissioned just prior to the outbreak of World War I, where he quickly earned an Iron Cross Second Class and his own command. He finished the war a British POW. Unlike other senior Nazis (Goring for example) Donitz never played socialite; he was a naval officer at heart and in deed from the age of twenty until the last days of World War II when he was appointed by Hitler just prior to his suicide to take his position as Chancellor of the Third Reich. He is best known as the commander of the German U-Boat forces during the entirety of the war and later (beginning in January, 1943) as Commander-in-Chief of the German Navy.
Padfield's biography is excellently researched. It is a detailed portrayal of Donitz as both man and officer and also presents a throrough review of naval (especially U-boat) strategy during the second world war. What's more, Padfield illustrates a strong link between the personal Donitz and the often fatal strategic decisions he made. There is evidence of Donitz's complicity in Nazi war crimes not seen in many other sources describing him.
Read this book if you are interested in the facts behind one of the deadliest aspects of the war in Europe (30000 of 40000 U-boat officers and men lost their lives) or if you'd like to know more about a key figure in the Third Reich not often remembered alongside more prominent names like Goebbels or Himmler. If you are hoping for a book that portrays Donitz as he was seen during his life, an officer who did his military duty and kept his hands clean of the atrocities of the Nazis, try another. Padfield is very harsh in his judgement of Donitz. If you dislike lots of statistics and are looking for nothing more than biographical data, I would try Donitz's memoirs.
In all, it is a vivid portrayal of Karl Donitz and a good read for Naval Enthusiasts.

The Fuhrer Bunker: A Cycle of Poems in Progress (American Poets Continuum Ser No 1)

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The Fuhrer Bunker: A Cycle of Poems in Progress (American Poets Continuum Ser No 1)
W. D. Snodgrass
Manufacturer: Boa Editions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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I Flew for the Fuhrer (Cassell Military Paperbacks)

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Delivers insights
Real History for Real People
Straight account of daily life.
I FLEW FOR THE FUHRER
Views from the sky

I Flew for the Fuhrer (Cassell Military Paperbacks)
Heinz Knoke
Manufacturer: Cassell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0304366382

Book Description

Heinz Knoke was one of Nazi Germany’s outstanding pilots, and this dramatic record of his experiences, illustrated with personal photos, has become a classic among aviation memoirs. He joined the Luftwaffe at the outbreak of the war, rose to the rank of commanding officer, and received the Knight’s Cross. Knoke’s account crackles with vivid accounts of air battles; and captures his utter desolation at Germany’s defeat.

Customer Reviews:

Delivers insights.......2007-02-28

Written largely in diary form, the book will give you great insight into the mind of a German aviator in WWII. He seems sincere and straightforward, but the book was published after the war and everyone benefits from hindsight. Still, there are comparisons to be drawn with today's world. That is, how a country can be duped into starting a useless, destructive conflict.

Real History for Real People.......2006-05-02

"I Flew For the Fuhrer" was written by a former German interceptor pilot who was officially credited with 52 kills (planes, not airmen), and he undoubtedly bagged more.

Will we ever be able to sift WWII truth from wartime propaganda? This book is a start.

The author tells us both the overall picture and the situation in his own unit. For example, he informs us that the German attack on Russia was a pre-emptive strike because of an imminent Russian attack.

"We soon reach Grodno. The roads are clogged with Russian armies everywhere. The reason gradually dawns on us why the sudden surprise attack was ordered by our High Command. We begin to appreciate the full extend of the Russian preparations to attack us. We have just forestalled the Russian time table for an all-out attack against Germany for the mastery of Europe...The situation is ideal for the Bolshevists to launch their attack on Europe in furtherance of their general plan for world revolution."

The recounting of the aerial dogfights was thrilling. The author had a special move, a spiraling corkscrew climb that enabled him to escape many times. The author and his friend also dreamed up the idea of bombing tightly packed bomber formations. They used rockets too.

The numerical superiority of the allies was 8 to 1 in fighters, so it's not surprising that the author was shot down five times. He also experienced a few crash landings during training and in non-combat circumstances.

At the end of the war the odds became suicidal, and after ditching his aircraft the author had to escape from the French resistance.

Ahh, but all war is not Hell. "If we should lose this campaign, the conduct of the Frenchwomen must bear a major share of the responsibility. Nights of passion and debauchery..."

I've heard of being swallowed up by the Russian winter, but swallowed up by the French ... oh, never mind.

Straight account of daily life........2003-08-07

If Heinz had been an RAF pilot he would have been out of the cockpit more than in it. An absorbing account of the never ending and punishing grind of the German combat pilot. His accounts of aerial bombing of US B17's and B24's is made all the more remarkable in the way the tactic came about. His regard for his enemy and his comrade admirable. Not to be missed.

I FLEW FOR THE FUHRER.......2002-10-16

just a beautiful true not hyped up story of a fighter pilots everyday life with clean well writen storys.How wounderful and full of energy knoke was in the early 40,s to the total destruction of his fighter wing in 45.

Views from the sky.......2001-06-08

Heinz Knoke was not only a heroic German aviator, but a father and a husband, completely dedicated to his country. A part of Nazism was a huge sense of nationalism, which Knoke often referred to. He fought, not neccesarily for the Nazi cause, but becasue he was a German, and he wanted to protect his country. I obtained this book from my father, who had gotten it from his father. His father bought it in the '50's, as aviation has been a passion in my family for years. My grandfather trained British pilots during the war. I am glad that he thought enough of Knoke and his story to pass his story down. It is the most startlingly blunt story I have ever read, and it was wonderfully written.

Finance from Kaiser to Fuhrer: Budget Politics in Germany, 1912-1934 (Contributions to the Study of World History)

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Finance from Kaiser to Fuhrer: Budget Politics in Germany, 1912-1934 (Contributions to the Study of World History)
C. Edmund Clingan
Manufacturer: Greenwood Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0313311846

Book Description

Germany's ability to support its war machine financially has long puzzled scholars. The young nation had exhausted itself paying for its loss in the First World War, had suffered a hyperinflation in the early 1920s, and had ended the 1920s with a terrible economic depression. This is the first book in any language to examine the budget policies of the middle years of the Weimar Republic and to look at how these policies changed the politics of the time. It is also the first work to support the government's aggressive use of deficit spending and fiscal stimuli to promote economic growth. Some findings even indicate that the German government could have used creative financial solutions to avoid the worst of the Depression and to avert the Nazi regime. Clingan explores the changes and continuities in fiscal policy and budget-making politics, beginning in the last years of the Wilhelmine Empire and continuing into the 1930s. Although this is a story about money, it is also a story about men. Very few in Nazi Germany understood the intricacies of fiscal policy and budget making, and political parties tended to follow the lead of those who did. Clingan combines their personal stories with the tale of a country still growing into its economic power and still trying to learn both its limits and its strengths.

In Hitler's Bunker: A Boy Soldier's Eyewitness Account of the Fuhrer's Last Days

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Good and bad
Riveting Firsthand Account
Very interresting
Remarkable book about the end of a tyrannical dictator
The Fall of Berlin from a Unique Perspective

In Hitler's Bunker: A Boy Soldier's Eyewitness Account of the Fuhrer's Last Days
Armin D. Lehmann , and Tim Carroll
Manufacturer: The Lyons Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1592285783

Book Description

One boy's eyewitness account of Hitler's bunker at the fall of the Third Reich.

Customer Reviews:

Good and bad.......2007-09-05

Okay the good part, it is written very clearly in an easy to read way and adds some color to a fascinating time period. The bad part, I think this writer watched "Downfall" and copied a ton of what was said and shown in there and then added a little bit of his experiences that he could remember. There is no way some 15 year old kid knew what was being said in Hitler's situation conferences, thoughts of the top tier of the NSDAP party members, who was sleeping with whom and so on. There is a lot of filler in this to get enough material for a book here.

Riveting Firsthand Account.......2007-04-01

This outstanding book has my highest recommendation. As a history, it is a riveting firsthand account of Lehmann's life as a 16-year-old in Nazi Germany at the end of World War II. He tells of his training in January 1945 with the Hitler Youth to defend Germany against Russian advances on the eastern front, of his efforts to defend his hometown, Breslau, and of the extraordinary set of circumstances that led to his becoming Adolf Hitler's last courier in the Fuhrerbunker itself! He served in the bunker to the very end.

Lehmann's recollections are honest, vivid, unvarnished, and fresh. This is no reworking of events as is so frequently found in the memoirs of politicians, generals, and assorted hangers-on to the great and powerful. I know of no other such honest and straightforward account of the personalities and activities in the bunker. With the assistance of his co-author, Tim Carroll, Lehmann's personal story is seamlessly integrated into the larger story of the fall of Berlin and the events unfolding in the bunker. That account is extremely well-written and comprehensive, and well worth the price of the book in its own right.

But this is more than just a history well-told; this is also a history lesson. Lehmann presents the story of his youth as a painfully gained case study in war and evil. His aim is to warn others, especially the young, of the mindless horrors of war and of the absolute necessity for the peaceful resolution of conflict. Near the end of the book, he sums it up by saying "My own experience of war has created in me a passionate devotion to peace. Raised in an atmosphere of hate and prejudice, I've surmounted the teachings of my youth and risen to carry the word of peace around the world."

To that end, Lehmann's book recounts his growing revulsion at the suffering and horror all around him, and his ultimate disillusionment with Nazism and its leaders. He is no Nazi apologist. His message is two-fold: Nazism was an evil for all people, including the Germans, and war is a useless tool to resolve conflict. After the war, Lehmann became estranged from his father, who remained an unrepentant Nazi, and Lehmann has devoted the remainder of life to promoting the cause of peace around the world, bringing to that cause the same passion and enthusiasm that he exhibited in defending his homeland.

For readers with an appetite to hear Lehmann's personal story in even greater detail, I heartily recommend his earlier book, Hitler's Last Courier- A Life in Transition, now out of print, which runs to 531 pages. What it may lack in presenting a broader overview of the fall of Berlin, it more than makes up for in its detailed recollections of Lehmann's personal journey from innocent youth, to Hitler's last courier, to advocate for peace. Quite a transition and quite a life!

Very interresting.......2007-02-15

What a great book, and a very quick read. I read it at Barnes and Nobles while my wife was shopping...

Brian - you should definately read this book.

Remarkable book about the end of a tyrannical dictator.......2007-02-12

Armin Lehmann lived the horrors of the Third Reich growing up in Nazi Germany. Only a child when the war started, Lehmann became a Member of the Hitler Youth, and ended up being one of the Fuhrer's last couriers. His final encounter was just hours before Hitler committed suicide. His story is told in clear descriptive terms, bringing the horror of all out war in vivid perspective. If you want to understand how normal, honorable people can be swept up in the hysteria of an evil movement, this is the book for you. The scenes of battle are realistic and graphic, not heroic and epic. Lehmann is a remarkable man with a incredible tale of a time we may wish to forget, but cannot afford to, lest it happen again.

The Fall of Berlin from a Unique Perspective.......2006-11-29

This book is so much more than what the title suggests. Of course, Mr. Lehmann gives a unique look inside the final days of the life of Adolph Hitler as he hid himself away in his bunker, but he also takes the reader through the hell that was Berlin in April, 1945. To say that the book was engrossing would be an understatement as the intensity of action combined with the sense of desperation turns this book into the type of page-turner that I just could not put down. Another of the most interesting features of this book is the fact that all these moments of intense warfare, face-to-face encounters with Hitler, and final hour-death throes of the Third Reich are being experienced by a sixteen-year-old boy who manages to show a resolution, focus, and courage well beyond his years. Mr. Lehmann gives an honest vision of what it was like to be a young soldier fighting for his country and a political system that he had been raised to believed in as well as the feeling of disillusionment when the truth of the holocaust was eventually brought to the fore. He very skillfully manages to put a human, even sympathetic face on what the rest of the world regards as one of the darkest forms of evil the world has ever witnessed.

Do yourself a favor and read this book. Highly recommended.

Fuhrer-Ex:: Memoirs of a Former Neo-Nazi

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Ingo's Story
From Goebbels to Hasselbach: The Attractions of the Gau
Frighteningly True.
Good Introduction to German Skinhead scene in English
Based on some, it's pretty good

Fuhrer-Ex:: Memoirs of a Former Neo-Nazi
Ingo Hasselbach
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Ingo Hasselbach, whose parents were Communist Party members in East Germany during his childhood, has lived at both ends of the political seesaw. The question of how people reach a change of heart is a profound one; Hasselbach describes the external forces that led to his founding Germany's first neo-Nazi political party and the internal ones that led him away from it five years later with a surprisingly careful thoughtfulness and thoroughness that befits the issues at hand.

Book Description

Once Ingo Hasselbach was a neo-Nazi, preaching racism, anti-Semitism, and anti-government terrorism. Now the 28-year-old founder and leader of the first neo-Nazi party in East Germany takes as his mission the prevention of others following the path of hate. In this eye-opening memoir, Hasselbach vividly exposes the violent movement he helped create--and tells why he left it behind. Photos.

Customer Reviews:

Ingo's Story.......2007-03-02

First off, let me say that this book was much better than the film by the same name and I was somewhat surprised at how different it was. Ingo Hasselbach was a real heavy hitter in the German neo-nazi scene in the late 80's and early 90's and his story is one of the most tumultuous and fascinating that I have read. Growing up in Berlin when it was part of the socialist "paradise" of East Germany (or the GDR), Hasselbach rebelled early and often against this utterly repressive communist regime. It wasn't long before he was sporting a Mohawk and getting in trouble with the law. From a typical punk, he evolved into a skinhead, and after meeting some old original Nazis in prison, he gradually got involved in the neo-Nazi scene. He was indoctrinated with hatred of Jews and foreigners, holocaust denial, and other assorted Nazi propaganda. Before long he was the "Fuhrer" of the East German neo-Nazi movement and the "Gauleiter" of Berlin, which he points out was the same position once held by Joseph Goebbels. One of the most interesting aspects of his story was the ongoing feud between the neo-Nazis and the anarchists. They had huge street fights on an almost daily basis that included throwing Molotov cocktails and blowing up each other's cars. Hasselbach was a tough street fighter who got it as good as he gave it. During one fight, he was dragged into a house and beaten nearly to death by anarchists. They eventually started a legitimate political party after the fall of the wall and actually made some progress politically. But Hasselbach began to have doubts about his beliefs and gradually became disillusioned with his friends and the hatred that they embodied. Much of this was due to a filmmaker he had met and befriended who got him to really look at his actions and his life. With the help of his new friend, he publicly denounced the neo-Nazi movement and his former Kamerads. This set off a maelstrom of violent reactions from his old friends who now considered him a traitor. He became a hunted man (they even sent a letter bomb to his mother, which failed to detonate) but he continued to speak out publicly against extremism. Hasselbach came to America for a little while to lay low, but eventually returned to his native Germany where he continues to speak out against violent extremism to this day. The author is clearly a courageous man who has my admiration and respect and this is really a fantastic book. The only thing I was skeptical about was his uber-conversion to multi-culturalism. In his conclusion he states that most of his friends are now foreigners and he has a hard time relating to his countrymen. While I can certainly understand and respect this (especially after what he's been through) I personally am not as enthusiastic about multi-culturalism. Part of me wonders if this is just an exaggeration to help sell his "conversion." With that said, this doesn't take anything away from the quality of the book or my respect for the author. 5 stars.

Some other interesting highlights:

-Hasselbach and his Kamerads considered themselves "Strasserites" rather than followers of Hitler. They saw themselves as romantic street fighters more in the vein of the SA rather than the more aristocratic SS.

-The neo-Nazi movement was/is a much larger and more organized network than I thought. They had members and sympathizers (including politicians and other government officials) throughout Europe and even in America. This included many original Nazis and their families who provided them with financial and moral support.

-Neo-Nazis sent men to fight in Croatia and even had a plan to send fighters to Iraq to fight Americans during Desert Storm.

-Hasselbach and his friends dug up old WWII weapons in the Halbe forest from the last battle for Berlin. Many of them were still loaded and worked immediately after they pulled them out of the ground!

From Goebbels to Hasselbach: The Attractions of the Gau.......2004-08-07

As Ingo Hasselbach notes, he was the first Gauleiter of Berlin since Joseph Goebbels, which at one time, was for him pretty heady stuff. And that tells you a good deal about charismatic movements, of which Hasselbach was once a rising star. As he points out, it wasn't about National Socialist ideology, in fact, very few of his cohorts knew much about Jews! No, it was groupthink, group membership, and drinking koolaid like Jim Jones' followers in Jonestown. Probably as strikingly handsome in his generation as Heydrich was in his, Herr Hasselbach had a particular world at his feet, and somehow he made the moves to change directions, rather abruptly.

Having seen him also interviewed by David Gergen, I have little doubt he is genuine. However, an autobiography such as this leaves one with many unanswered, perhaps unanswerable questions....since he was in the Neo-N movement when Germany was reunited, I would have liked to have seen more on this turbulent time. What the autobiography lacks, like most of this type (including certain ex-Presidents) is an overall perspective.

However, if you want some insight into foot-soldierdom into cult-like movements, this is a very readable, and recommended, introduction into a shady world. It isn't overintellectualized, and I liked that feature best.

Frighteningly True........2002-11-28

This is one of the better books that delves into the lives of real neo-nazis. The author takes you on a ride through his life growing up as a racist and it's hard to believe some of the things he has done. He also had the courage to change. While I don't condone these actions, this is a great book for anyone.

Good Introduction to German Skinhead scene in English.......2002-11-07

Ok, here goes.
This book is the only one by Ingo Hasselbach that has been translated into English. It is essentially an updated/revised version of his German language book "Die Abrechnung" which I read in the late 1990's while still active in the East German Skinhead scene as a resident of the State of Brandenburg and active member of the NPD.

Hasselbachs necessarily sanitized "introduction" to one facet of the East German Skinhead Scene is commendable and the details of many events/activities are accurately described despite his attempts to minimalize his role in much of it. I never met Hasselbach personally nor was I ever active in any of the specific organizations that he led or supported. My firsthand experience in the scene however allows me to confirm that this book (english version) accurately recreates a "generic" picture of what the movement was like during those "early" years following the fall of the Wall. My only complaint with the book is the lack of space devoted to describing the plentiful NON-violent moments and acts of true brotherhood and compassion shown amongst Kameraden. There are two sides to every story and this one seems to focus on Hasselbachs relative innocence, the structure and internal workings of his movement and descriptions of their evil deeds. Many were and are mere thugs and common criminals but many are also intelligent and sincerely committed individuals who may share a common ideology but refrain from acts of violence and hatred.

This book is an excellent description of Hasselbachs specific experience but does not necessarily reflect the entire East German Skinhead experience which even to this day varies greatly from region to region and city to city. It blurs the often very distinct lines between nationalism and neo-nazism but is a must read for anyone interested in this topic

Based on some, it's pretty good.......2000-11-11

Based on some other books I've read regarding the Neo-Nazi movement in modern day Germany, this one is pretty good. I have read some very in-depth books, including some not allowed to be published in Germany (too controversial). However, this books info stops in the early '90's, when the book was published. Though it accurate to its time, it is not very up-to-date regarding the present turmoil, and Neo-Nazi movement in Germany. The movement has advanced dramatically since this book was published. This book is very good in terms of the personal testimony of the former "Ex-Fuhrer", yet not very accurate of up-to-date activities and views held by the members of this movement.

Hitler's Personal Security: Protecting the Führer, 1921-1945

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Definitive work

Hitler's Personal Security: Protecting the Führer, 1921-1945
Peter Hoffman
Manufacturer: Da Capo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0306809478

Book Description

Now in paperback: The definitive account of the multiple plots to kill Hitler and the extraordinary security created to protect him.

"I am immortal!" exulted Hitler in the wake of the failed assassination plot of July 20, 1944. As Peter Hoffmann shows in this startling book, that bombing was only the best known of more than thirty attempts on Hitler's life, the first coming as early as 1921, when he was the leader of the German worker's party. Using extensive archival material, Hoffmann details these assassination plots and outlines the fanatically complex security measures that developed to keep Hitler safe. He analyzes Hitler's SS escort and the other security groups responsible for his life--there were so many of them that they often counteracted one another--together with their arrangements for his transportation, public appearances, residences, and wartime headquarters. Providing remarkable new information about the workings of those devoted to defending and destroying him, this book is an invaluable contribution to the history of the Third Reich.

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Definitive work.......2004-04-11

This is by far the best work every on Hitler's secruity and the various assassination plots against him. It's especially strong in the early, seminal years of the Nazi party and there are some extremely rare photographs of Hitler in Munich in the mid to late 20's. Hoffman's research is extensive and he unearths material not found in other books. He relies on primary sources for many of his arguments and these interviews enhance an already strong book. If you have an interest in Hitler's incredible knack in evading assassinations, this is the preeminent book on that subject.

Hitler's Squadron: The Fuehrer's Personal Aircraft & Transportation Unit, 1933-1945

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Hitler's Squadron: The Fuehrer's Personal Aircraft & Transportation Unit, 1933-1945
C. G. Sweeting
Manufacturer: Brassey's Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Book Description

 Details the aircraft and missions of Adolf Hitler's personal aircraft transportation squadron  An unparalleled reference guide to some of the legendary aircraft of the era, including the Junkers Ju 52/3m, the Focke-Wulf FW 200 Condor, and the Junkers Ju 290

 Contains rare photographs of Hitler's personal planes and of life inside the inner circle of the Third Reich

Adolf Hitler was the first head of state to have his own personal pilot and airplane. His interest in aviation as a propaganda weapon as well as transportation led him to order the establishment of a special air squadron, the Fliegerstaffel des Fuehrers. To command this unique unit, he chose Hans Bauer, veteran World War I combat ace and pioneering airline pilot. During the 1930's and World War II, the Fuehrer's own pilot and special aircraft flew the famous and the infamous. Baur flew Hitler, his inner circle, and visiting dignitaries throughout Europe, to Hitler's secret headquarters and to the far-flung battlefields of the Eastern Front.

HITLER'S SQUADRON provides an in-depth look at the Fuehrer's custom-built airplanes. The aircraft used in the Squadron were the Junkers Ju 52/53m, D-2600; the Focke-Wulf FW 200 Condor; and the Junkers Ju 290, a true "flying fortress." Sweeting also discusses the remarkable wartime history of these types of aircraft,, beyond their service in Hitler's squadron, including their full combat role. Other unique topics include an explanation of the complex German numbering systems and designations, German civilian and military pilot licensing, a secret wartime plan to link Germany and Japan by a secure air corridor, and fascinating facts about Hitler's hidden wartime headquarters behind the front of Russia.

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