An edition of The Hitler of history (1997)

The Hitler of history

1st Vintage Books ed.
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Last edited by ImportBot
June 17, 2023 | History
An edition of The Hitler of history (1997)

The Hitler of history

1st Vintage Books ed.
  • 0 Ratings
  • 2 Want to read
  • 1 Currently reading
  • 0 Have read

A unique study of Hitler through his many biographers. Historians grapple with Hitler (as with any other historical topic) through the prism of their own experiences, culture, and prejudices, making the goal of objectivity elusive, if not impossible. Lukacs (The End of the Twentieth Century, 1993, etc.) has the command of languages and scholarship necessary for the ambitious undertaking of studying the expression of such biases in the myriad biographies of Hitler that have proliferated over the last 50 years.

Most valuable for the nonspecialist is the first chapter, where he discusses general historiographical problems, attempts to explain the extraordinary popular interest in the Führer, and reviews how German historians, most of them unknown to an American audience, have treated the dictator (their views range from guarded apologies to rigid ideological or deterministic dissections). The following six chapters deal with such specific topics as whether Hitler was a reactionary or a revolutionary, the problem of racism and nationalism, and the tragedy of the Holocaust. Perhaps the most surprising point that emerges here is that many German historians treat Hitler in a highly nuanced manner, stressing his frequent reversals of policy, his uncertainty, the way in which other individuals could influence or manipulate him. Lukacs draws a rather pessimistic conclusion from this, suggesting that a downturn in Europe's fortunes might cause Hitler to be revived as an example of order and nationalism.

Finally, Lukacs struggles with the problem of Hitler's place in history. Although scant attention is paid to the controversial 'historian's debate' that erupted in the mid-1980s, when some German historians began to downplay the unique nature of the Holocaust, Lukacs is successful in offering a balanced portrayal—not of Hitler—but of his biographers. A valuable contribution that will continue to remind us how central Hitler was to the history of the 20th century. (History Book Club selection) Kirkus Reviews

Publish Date
Publisher
Vintage Books, Vintage
Language
English
Pages
279

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Previews available in: English

Edition Availability
Cover of: The Hitler of History
The Hitler of History
April 18, 2002, Weidenfeld & Nicholson history, Orion Publishing Group, Limited
Paperback - New Ed edition
Cover of: The Hitler of history
The Hitler of history
1998, Vintage Books, Vintage
in English - 1st Vintage Books ed.
Cover of: The Hitler of history
The Hitler of history
1997, A.A. Knopf
in English - 1st ed.

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Book Details


Published in

New York

Edition Notes

Includes bibliographical references (p. [269]-271) and index.

Classifications

Dewey Decimal Class
943.086/092, B
Library of Congress
DD247.H5 L84 1998, DD247.H5L84 1998

The Physical Object

Pagination
xiv, 279 p. ;
Number of pages
279

ID Numbers

Open Library
OL366085M
Internet Archive
hitlerofhistory00luka
ISBN 10
0375701133
LCCN
98026451
Library Thing
22313
Goodreads
1140919

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