Hitler and His Generals

Rating:
Summary: An important primary source for WW2 Germany
Review: This book is a compilation of conference transcripts from the daily military conferences between Hitler, his staff, and other members of the Nazi hierarchy. Unfortunately for the reader, many of these conference minutes exist in a fragmentary form. Primarily, this was due to destruction after the war, but also that these were taken down in real time; and whatever the stenographer heard is what was recorded. The editors have done an impressive job with filling in the gaps where possible: adding background information on personalities and operations often referred in an off-hand manner. (Not surprising given that the attendees would have the continuity of background from ongoing discussions not recorded here.)

The gaps are the real drawback here: conference minutes for the most critical of times such as Normandy and immediately after the 20 July 1944 assassination attempt are missing. Also, following the flow of discussion is sometimes problematic at best. Additionally, one cannot often tell whether the conference is discussion or Hitler's infamous rants. But for someone determined to slog through, Hitler's control of even the most trivial issues, (for example which unit should get the next tank replacements) is brought into focus. His yes-men, Halder and Jodl also clearly show their support of even the most idiotic of decisions.

Obviously such a primary source document isn't for someone with a general interest in World War II. But a reader with familiarity with Hitler's Germany and military operations would find this worthwhile. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: An important primary source for WW2 Germany
Review: This book is a compilation of conference transcripts from the daily military conferences between Hitler, his staff, and other members of the Nazi hierarchy. Unfortunately for the reader, many of these conference minutes exist in a fragmentary form. Primarily, this was due to destruction after the war, but also that these were taken down in real time; and whatever the stenographer heard is what was recorded. The editors have done an impressive job with filling in the gaps where possible: adding background information on personalities and operations often referred in an off-hand manner. (Not surprising given that the attendees would have the continuity of background from ongoing discussions not recorded here.)

The gaps are the real drawback here: conference minutes for the most critical of times such as Normandy and immediately after the 20 July 1944 assassination attempt are missing. Also, following the flow of discussion is sometimes problematic at best. Additionally, one cannot often tell whether the conference is discussion or Hitler's infamous rants. But for someone determined to slog through, Hitler's control of even the most trivial issues, (for example which unit should get the next tank replacements) is brought into focus. His yes-men, Halder and Jodl also clearly show their support of even the most idiotic of decisions.

Obviously such a primary source document isn't for someone with a general interest in World War II. But a reader with familiarity with Hitler's Germany and military operations would find this worthwhile. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Buy this only at the bargain bin
Review: This manuscript is not worth the money, at least at full price. The advertisement touts this as a record of Hitler's war briefings. But as the other reviewers point out most of the briefings were lost or destroyed during the war. In general, most of the day-to-day briefings are pretty mundane and not overly interesting. About the only good thing to say about the manuscript is that it confirms why the Germans lost the war. I would agree with the other reviewers; there was little grand strategy emanating from Hitler's headquarters. Hitler and his generals to often micro-managed and focused on details that were largely superfluous to the war situation. If you read alot of WWII history you are likely to have arrived at these conclusions already. Thus, I don't believe you'll add much to your knowledge base. If you absolutely have to have it, buy the book at the bargain bin like I did, $1.99-$3 tops (mine's back there now!). If you're a casual reader and want to read about Nazi Germany do not purchase this book! Instead. Read Schirer's Rise and Fall of the Third Reich.

Rating:
Summary: Buy this only at the bargain bin
Review: This manuscript is not worth the money, at least at full price. The advertisement touts this as a record of Hitler's war briefings. But as the other reviewers point out most of the briefings were lost or destroyed during the war. In general, most of the day-to-day briefings are pretty mundane and not overly interesting. About the only good thing to say about the manuscript is that it confirms why the Germans lost the war. I would agree with the other reviewers; there was little grand strategy emanating from Hitler's headquarters. Hitler and his generals to often micro-managed and focused on details that were largely superfluous to the war situation. If you read alot of WWII history you are likely to have arrived at these conclusions already. Thus, I don't believe you'll add much to your knowledge base. If you absolutely have to have it, buy the book at the bargain bin like I did, $1.99-$3 tops (mine's back there now!). If you're a casual reader and want to read about Nazi Germany do not purchase this book! Instead. Read Schirer's Rise and Fall of the Third Reich.

Rating:
Summary: Inside look at Hitler's personal command
Review: To be perfectly honest, this book is not for casual reader. The transcripts of Hitler's military conferences might be interesting for selective folks who got a lot of military history background on World War II but for majority of casual readers out there, the book would make a better pillow then a reading material. (some of materials were released in other publications but this book claims to have it all.)

Having said that, for folks like me who do have good background on World War II, I found the book to be quite interesting and bit annoying. Like the previous reviewer, I was bit taken back by the fact that some of the most interesting conferences were not there and it was hard to assess the mood of the people at those conferences. It was plain amazing how trivial Hitler got in these conferences. I don't think no other commander-in-chief during that war ever got so micro-managing as Hitler got as the book showed. Of course, some part of the book was rather slow but it was interesting to see who was the toady and who wasn't at these conferences. Its a thick book and not very fast reading material. But for hard core World War II reader, this book should be read.