An edition of The Hitler of history (1997)

Hitler of History

  • 0 Ratings
  • 2 Want to read
  • 1 Currently reading
  • 0 Have read
Hitler of History
John Lukacs
Not in Library

My Reading Lists:

Create a new list

Check-In

×Close
Add an optional check-in date. Check-in dates are used to track yearly reading goals.
Today

  • 0 Ratings
  • 2 Want to read
  • 1 Currently reading
  • 0 Have read

Buy this book

Last edited by dcapillae
May 30, 2024 | History
An edition of The Hitler of history (1997)

Hitler of History

  • 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
Language
English

Buy this book

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: Hitler of History
Hitler of History
2001, Orion Publishing Group, Limited
in English
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.

Add another edition?

Book Details


The Physical Object

Pagination
288
Weight
0.705

ID Numbers

Open Library
OL48127379M
ISBN 13
9780297646464

Links outside Open Library

Community Reviews (0)

Feedback?
No community reviews have been submitted for this work.

History

Download catalog record: RDF / JSON / OPDS | Wikipedia citation
May 30, 2024 Edited by dcapillae Merge works
May 30, 2024 Edited by dcapillae merge authors
June 17, 2023 Created by ImportBot Imported from Better World Books record.