This is a fascinating insight into Hitler, it’s a very detailed account. Christa’s interview with Zoller explains Hitler’s daily life, having herself been personally involved in it. She tells how and why he gave up drink and smoking. Similarly how and why he became a vegetarian. Intimate and personal details are shared, including health issues and his clothing. And the women in his life, and their importance to him. Hitler had a phenomenal memory and could talk endlessly. He was a night owl and had his secretary working at crazy hours of the night.
Also mentioned is Bormann, the Deputy Fuhrer, who was an awful person with a loathsome ideology, and was very controlling. He spread lies and was very deceitful. Other key personnel are discussed and often removed from their positions by Hitler. Towards the end Hitler became very removed from the real and current Germany and it’s peoples.

Petrea narrates this audiobook as if she herself was there experiencing all that we have been informed. We definitely believe all that we are being told. A very easy listen. Highly informative about Hitler and those around him during the war years.

I received a complimentary audiobook from NetGalley and RBmedia. This is my honest review. Highly recommend.

Did you know that Hitler had Parkinson's? Did you know he was romantically obsessed with his niece? I didn't until I read this book!

The book gives inside look at what happened behind the scenes in 1930-40s Germany. This account does not glorify Hitler or give excuses for what happened. It is straightforward and gives an account of events as they were. This book is for history buffs and those who are just curious about the infamous man. You'll hear about high level events in Germany and well as mundane eating habits. There is sure to be a portion of the book that will be of great interest to you.

My only complaint is that I occasionally found the story hard to follow. Some portions skip around in time, which is to be expected when someone is interviewed.

As a WWII enthusiast, I went in to this with an objective mindset. I was expecting this account to perhaps sensationalize or make excuses for the monster that is Hitler. However, this account did neither of those. Instead it was a straightforward look into the daily life of Hitler as only someone who spent time with him daily could have accounted for. It was a new perspective for me. And through this interview, the reader can glimpse the psychological demise of the tyrant. Albert Zoller was a French liason officer who interrogated Christa Schroeder. Schroeder was Hitler's personal secretary from 1933-1945. This testimony is an interesting source of information that WWII military history enthusiasts will enjoy.

The narrator, Petrea Burchard, was successful in fully immersing me in this audiobook. I had to remember that Christa Schroeder is no longer alive and that this wasn't her speaking. Burchard's steady voice and perfectly enunciated inflections lends itself to this type of narration. She made a topic that some may find difficult to digest, very easy to listen to. It was almost story-like. I'd definitely listen to another audio she narrates.

This historical look at one of the most evil, cruel and disturbed men in history by his personal secretary is written well.

You learn facts about his personality and how vain he was. One being never wanting to be seen with glasses even though his eyesight was poor. He had a tremor in his hand which he would cover up using his other hand.

Hitler didn’t surround himself with brilliant people. He thought himself to be superior to others.
He was extremely secretive. He didn’t trust anyone and would keep everything to himself until the last minute.

I learned a lot about what he was like behind the scene. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in history or WWII and the disturbed man who wanted to control everything.

I hate saying this because this monster should never have come to power, I couldn’t put this book down. It’s definitely 4 stars.

Publishing date 5/30/2025

Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for a copy of this audiobook for an honest review.

This book is the story of Hitler as told by one of his secretaries. A unique look at a side of one of the most known men in history that most were never privy to. It touches on things like camps, his drug use, and his behavior towards others. The reader is talented and the audio is enjoyable. This is a great book for anyone with an interest in history.

The book was a discretion of her parts of watching Hitler. I wish that it had more conversations between them. I also wanted to know more about her job not just his moves in the war.

Factual, well-written, and deeply informative, this is a fascinating insider look into the workings, mindset, and insecurities of one of history’s most horrific figures. It doesn’t sensationalize or excuse — just presents a clear, detailed account that feels both intimate and unsettling. The access and insight make it compelling, even when the subject matter is hard to stomach. A valuable read for those interested in understanding the machinery behind dictatorship and propaganda.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars
Rated PG-13 for disturbing historical subject matter, wartime violence, and psychological intensity.

This was an interesting insight into Adolf Hitler as seen by his secretary. I forgot that he was vegetarian, and that's just one area where he was a contradiction. After his heart was broken when he was younger, he had trouble making a commitment, but openly partnered with Eva Braun and seemingly flirted with their guests.
I think, obviously, that it's only interesting to learn more about him as a warning, because his victims deserve the attention.
But as far as current events, this narrative from the point of view of someone in the inner circle shows the boredom and banality of everyday life even while great evil is being actively done. This is important because right now there are terrible things happening with little to no response.
Thanks to NetGalley, I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did a wonderful job.