Otto Dietrich knew Adolph Hitler better than anyone else while serving his as his press secretary. He offers insights into Hitler's thoughts, actions, and manias. While there will never be an excuse for what Hitler did it was interesting hearing about him from someone so close to him.

I am forever keeping my ears and eyes open to any possible memoirs, etc, that could offer something a little bit different to world history, perhaps from a different angle or perspective than we have seen before which immediately, quite naturally, brings you to this excellent, insightful biography on Adolf Hitler and what used to go on around him and compiled from sources kept by his press secretary and confidante, Otto Dietrich. Not only do we get Dietrich's autobiography within these fascinating pages but also more insight into a regime that was tight-knit and secretive to a T. A compelling and interesting story told from the inside out.

Otto Dietrich became Hitler's press chief in 1933 & worked for him up until 1945. Throughout the lead-up to & duration of WWII, Dietrich accepted what he was told on the surface of things but it wasn't until after the end of the war that he wrote a memoir which criticised Hitler & he requested it was published after his death. This was an intriguing read, Dietrich describes Hitler as initially having two faces: one which was genial & shown to the German people & the other that only those who worked closely with him saw until towards the end. Hitler's changeable character, his intellectual flaws & military & tactical failings are brought to account here & it was interesting to read what Hitler supposedly thought of Churchill & Stalin, amongst others.

There's a few scant words about the concentration camps & the millions of deaths, & little reflection about the roles that others (including the author himself) played in allowing these things to happen. Dietrich uses "demonic" several times throughout his work to describe Hitler, however, I think we must be careful not to allow such words to create distance between the evil done & the person. Believing only a 'demonic personality' could order such abhorrent acts leaves us open to believing that only a supernaturally evil person could conceive of such things (we should never become so complacent), & also takes the focus off of the complicity of others. Lest we forget, as John Stuart Mill said: “Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” (1867) 3.5 stars (rounded up)

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Pen & Sword/Greenhill Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

This is an interesting book. Otto Dietrich tells his story about the man that he knew and we know as Hitler. Dietrich thought that Hitler was a wonderful man and had the best interest of Germany and his people in mind (I know, I know, but this is from Dietrich's perspective). This is a very compelling read that tells a very different version of what we have all been told.

After serving Adolf Hitler as his press chief (therefore without a lot of clout and influence) before and during WWII, Otto Dietrich was anxious for his version of the real Hitler to reach the world. Hitler took the world by storm...and by force. People got caught up by his charisma, speeches and promises of a better unified Germany. But he deceived, crushed hopes and killed Germany. Dietrich wrote his observations and thoughts from firsthand knowledge of knowing him for twelve years in the Reich. He joined the Nazi Party in 1929 and became Hitler's press chief in 1933. They were colleagues and knew each other quite well. Interestingly, there was angst between Propaganda Minister Goebbels and Dietrich who controlled the press/propaganda. The former was a very public figure, much more so than Dietrich.

The results of Dietrich's writing is this book which is written in two parts, the first of various themes and the second is anecdotes and observations. Photographs of Hitler and Nazis (several included here) always repulse but also fascinate as we wonder at what makes pure evil tick. Dietrich's writing is intelligent, interesting and revealing. He was part of the Reich until a month before Hitler's death. After the war, he was tried, found guilty and sentenced but was out shortly after for good behaviour. He wrote copiously while in prison and this book was published in 1955 after his death in 1952. Dietrich wrote of Hitler's megalomania and inhumanity while not addressing his own role in the bloodbath. But his eyewitness accounts were crucial nonetheless.

If you are keen to get inside Hitler's life and mind, do read this memoir/biography. What Dietrich does...and does not say is revelatory.

My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this fascinating re-published book.

I have always been curious as to the reasons for so much death and suffering in our world. It is obvious that it is still going on . Here is one persons view of what happened in Germany after the First World War and through the Second. We have to learn from our mistakes and that includes reading others opinions and figuring out how not to fall into the same traps that us humans seem to run to generation after generation. I didnt know this book existed but it is an eye opener and also disturbing at the same time. Well written and relevant to today.

Let's face it: A book written by Hitler's publicity/press adviser is bound to be somewhat biased. Working with the point of view is what makes a book like this interesting. But Dietrich was more severely critical of Hitler than I might have expected (perhaps trying to look unbiased or perhaps shifting blame?) - and downplays his own role and potential responsibilities to the point of virtually no culpability.

And yet it was surprising how little detail and insight was given on so many things. On the one hand, Diestrich claims to have been there for major decisions and parties - and there are certainly some stories about work habits and a few events that are new and reflect proximity. Yet for someone who was supposed to be in the "inner circle" for approximately 12 years, there are few intimacies, littlle new insight about Hitler's thoughts and beliefs, even actions. So many major episodes omitted or given minimal treatment - perhaps most egregiously, almost nothing about the Holocaust or even Hitler's attitudes and philosophy regarding the Jews. Yes, there is more to the Hitler story than the Holocaust, but to virtually omit it entirely....no.

In short, I expected a slant - but this book fails to deliver the intimate perspective it promises.

Very harrowing to have a direct account of someone who knew Adolf Hitler. This was a really good read and gave a different insight into a man who changed the course of history. Strongly recommend.

Such a fascinating perspective and one which shows people are different things to different people. The insights into Goebbels were almost as interesting as those relating to Hitler, making this an important account of the Nazi regime and Third Reich more broadly. Books like this are important to help us remember and hopefully prevent history repeating itself.