Rating:  Summary: Self serving obsessed complainer Review: I bought this book out of fascination, to see and judge Hitler's character for myself. As I read it, I became pretty disapointed in that Germany followed, believed, and some still believe this complete self serving fool. His lunatic conclusions on race are laughable, in that he basically describes normal human behaviour, which he demonized in connections with the Jews.Mein Kampf is not political, nor is it a scientific piece of work. It is funny to even mention science in connection with this book. Most of the book is written in an attrocious style, it is extremely self centered, in that Hitler constantly has his 'moments of truth' which are idiotic since these SAME 'moments of truth' repeat over and over. At first I thought, Hitler couldn't have possibly reached the educated through this trash, but then so many did fall for it. It seems that most of his followers were the blue collar worker, who not only were uneducated, but were very suggestive due to Hitlers oratory skill. In anycase, I can't tell you not to buy this book, buy it, read it for yourself. I'm only concerned about those who will generate their knowledge from one source, this book. Then it becomes dangerous, since those folks will believe in a laughable and a ridiculous fairy tale of a manifesto.
Rating:  Summary: Compelling and fascinating Review: Interesting to note that much of what Adolf Hitler speculated/suggested in Mein Kampf has come to light. This alone makes the work interesting. The "democratic" West is awash in a sea of contradictions and cultural ailments; consumerism as a religion, modernism as a life-philosophy, violence, censorship, etc. Hitler saw Capitalism as the logical enemy of the folk. Mein Kampf is the literary manifestation of National Socialism and as such recognizes and illustrates (rather well), that any political/social system that places the obtainment of capital above all other concerns, is a society doomed to wallow in abject materialism, apathy and cultural neglect. All of this leading to the degredation and eventual extinction of that culture. Some of Hitler's grounds for anti-Semitism stemmed from the fact that he saw the Jewish race as the architects of Capitalism (and Communism). Hitler is often portrayed as an aberration of his time. He was not. His scientific/cultural world-view was very much rooted in and shaped by the works of writers like Spengler and Gobineau. Nationalism, traditionalism, anti-Semitism, Nordic mysticism, anti-materialism, and "volkish" sentiment had long been a close comrade of mainstream European politics. Critiques of Hitler's scientific, Darwanistic view of race and culture should be concentrated where they find their literary roots. As a piece of literature, Mein Kampf affords scholars and laypersons alike the chance to examine one of the most critical points in Western history. How often do we actually get to read the blue-prints for a global revolution? Long after we are gone, and this century has faded into time, this book will still be studied and argued. It's THAT important. In conclusion; Mein Kampf now stands as a testament to one alternative the West could have taken had she foreseen the awful consequences of abandoning her cultural roots for what Julius Evola called, "spiritual and material degeneration".
Rating:  Summary: Hitler:A Man Who Chose A Wrong Mean To Justify His End. Review: There are very few translations of Hitler's Mein Kampf in English. I believe Ralph Manheim has done a good job in presenting the translation as understandable, at least to an average reader. This book certainly dispelled my early views of Hitler as a mere bloodthirsty lunatic psychopath. Unlike me, someone who was directly involved in World War II or who have lost their loved ones in the war, might have contrary views. Footing solely on the book, one can conclude that Hitler had extraordinary leadership qualities. His magnificent ability as an orator as well as the deplorable condition of the German people in post-World War I Germany, elevated him to unquestionable power .Hitler also appeared to be a man of strong principles, discipline and good organizational skills. As much as he had the above mentioned admirable qualities, it is counter balanced by his insistence on resorting to fanaticism and bloody-force . Through out the book, his scorching hatred and intense contempt toward particular groups or issues, seems to be purely emotional rather than justifying it through facts and logical arguments. He dreamt of creating a glorious Aryan-Germany, but his means defied both God and Nature, resulting in an unattainable end and gothic memories in the heart of millions who have lived and are still living.
Rating:  Summary: Good Insight Into the Nazi Leader's Mind Review: On a strict readabilty scale, "Mein Kampf" is often ponderous and meanders all over the place. One definately has to have "the Will" in order to finish it. With that being said, this book is extremely important for the insight that it gives into Hitler's mind and for the things that would come to pass once Hitler assumed absolute power. Most everything that would occur in the late '30's and early '40's is blueprinted here from the attacks on Jews to the elimination of physically and mentally undesirables. I urge that this book be read by all those interested in World War II and the Third Reich. Only after reading this will anyone truly grasp what influenced the world during that time period.
Rating:  Summary: Useful in only one way Review: As a lookingglass into the mind of the greatest psychopath of our time, Mein Kampf is a useful tool, but any reader looking for common sense or something to latch onto will be sorely, I daresay, disappointed, viz. the famous sentence about "when a body falls." Extremely longwinded, we are led to wish that Hitler had stuck to speeches. As a valuable historical text, this is insurmountable.
Rating:  Summary: Depends entirely on the edition you read. Review: The Mannheim translation is not quite as accurate as the Hurst & Blackett edition, in fact it contains a significant editorial(?) error. To those who have read it and found it boring, so I believe you would find much literature of the turn of the century. Literacy and literary style have changed a great deal since then, but not necessarily for the better. Perhaps it is not quite up to par with the classics, but Hitler was not a professional writer. He did have quite an understanding of contemporary and historical events of his age, and made quite a few accurate predictions and/or analyses. Certainly not the mad ravings of a lunatic rug-chewer that I was otherwise led to believe. This is also only one aspect (although a fundamentally significant one) of the National Socialist German Worker's Party. Another important document would be the pamphlet of the 25 Points of the Party's platform, penned by Hitler and Gottfried Feder. Good Luck trying to find it- it doesn't match up with the "evil monstrous vehicle of hatred" we've all heard since 1945. You've maybe heard of the "Big Lie" propaganda technique? Check out pg.232 of the Mannheim edition. See who really invented the Big Lie...you'll be surprised.
Rating:  Summary: A personal insight to thew mind of a cruel dictator Review: One of the most powerful books I have ever read, Mein Kampf gives the reader a personal look into the life of Adolf Hitler. His views were strong from when he was young, and all it took was for him to get into power to achieve his goals. The fact that such a man could do what Hitler did is so terrifying, and this book is a great look into all that this man was. It is a good histrical piece and very important to the people of the world.
Rating:  Summary: The Awful Power of Ridiculous Ideas Review: When we think of Hitler today, it is hard not to see him as the man who led a nation to the brink of globe-spanning power and demographic revolution. The Hitler who wrote Mein Kampf was not yet a grand figure, but a rather pathetic racist demagouge who lacked an education, a knowledge of history, and any well-formed, decent ideas. By all means, read this book if you are interested in the modern history of Europe, but understand that this is not the work of a man who knew much about what he attempts to describe. Influenced not by reason and truth, but by absurd racial philosophy, Mein Kampf is terrifyingly devoid of clarity. That it became a holy book of a national movement for twenty years is a testimony to the unholy persuasive powers of the author and to the dreadful pathology of his age.
Rating:  Summary: Can't stop shaking... Review: At my first attempt in reading this "book", I could not follow it, keep interested, relate. I then read various books on WWI, Wilson, repatriations, and the BIS to get myself to be in the mind-set of the average German in 1931. I was then unable to put this "book" down. I was excited to read it, couldn't wait to get my hands on it, actually quoted from it. Now as I step back, I think I realized what happened in those days of Hitler's rise to power. The human mind is a very complex and persuadable thing. The pen is indeed mightier than the sword, and much more deadly. As a well educated, peace loving, follower of Schweitzer, I shudder everytime I think about this "book". How many more "Mein Kampfs" are out there?
Rating:  Summary: If not for its infamous author, this book would not sell. Review: The reason I started Mein Kampf was because I wanted to look inside the mind of Adolf Hitler. I never did finish the book and I found it infinitely boring. There is no emotion in it! It's like reading a newspaper. Furthermore, it is inaccurate. Hitler is usually about a year or two off with his dates, according to other biographies of him I have read. By the way, the book was not written, it was dictated to Rudolf Hess while Hitler was in prison. Makes me wonder if it would be any different, like were there some things that Hitler didn't want to tell Hess? Maybe I'm just too young.
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