Note: This review reflects only my personal reading experience with ‘Mein Kampf’ and should not be interpreted as support for its doctrines.
Kicking off my book review series with the Vigor Scale, I'm diving straight into the deep end with Adolf Hitler's 'Mein Kampf,' which translates as ‘My Struggle’ in English. This is my first time doing a book review and picking such a controversial topic. You might ask, "Giresh, with so many other insightful and less controversial books available, why this one?" It's a question I've heard from my peers too. But for me, it boils down to two main interests: History and Psychology. I'm drawn to understanding the thoughts and beliefs of one of history's most notorious figures. Through this review, I'm sharing my personal experience with 'Mein Kampf,' making it clear that I'm not endorsing its content. Instead, I'm reflecting on a dark, yet significant chapter of our history.
Beer Hall Putsch
Before delving into the review, let's take a brief historical detour to understand the origins of 'Mein Kampf.' You might be curious, "How did Hitler end up writing this book?" The answer takes us back to Weimar Germany, specifically November 8, 1923. On this day, Hitler and his supporters attempted a coup d'état in Munich, an event that ended in failure and is now known as the 'Beer Hall Putsch.' Following this debacle, Hitler was arrested, convicted of treason, and sentenced to five years in the relatively comfortable Landsberg prison. Despite the sentence, Hitler spent less than a year in prison, where he penned the notorious 'Mein Kampf.' Here, he harbored the hope that publishing 'Mein Kampf' would not only act as a propaganda tool but also provide a source of income during a low point in his political career. Remarkably, his imprisonment—intended as punishment—paradoxically elevated him to national prominence, laying the groundwork for his eventual rise to power.
Hitler’s Rumblings
'Mein Kampf,' Adolf Hitler's infamous autobiography, is split into two volumes, released in 1925 and 1926 respectively. For the purposes of this review, I'll treat them as a cohesive work, given their thematic continuity, although it's worth noting that the second volume places greater emphasis on Hitler's views on German foreign policy. The book provides an insight into various facets of Hitler's life and ideology, including his experiences as a soldier in World War I, his development of antisemitic beliefs, and his critique of the Treaty of Versailles—blaming the US, UK, and France for Germany's reparations and subsequent decline.
Hitler outlines his vision for Germany's governance, advocating for a totalitarian state led by a single party, rejecting democracy, and expressing his disdain for communism, which he sees as a threat to Germany's stability. The narrative goes beyond Hitler's personal history and ideological stances, delving into his aspirations for an expanded Germany that would dominate Eastern Europe and expel Jews from the country. He argues that Germany's resurgence can only occur through the removal of Jews, whom he blames for threatening the survival of the German people—a belief that took root early in his life and persisted throughout his rise to power.
This image exemplifies one of Hitler's ideologies of censorship and intellectual control, as written in 'Mein Kampf,' epitomized by the Nazi book burnings—a campaign led by the German Student Union to eliminate books deemed subversive or antithetical to Nazi ideologies in Germany and Austria during the 1930s. Following this chilling act of censorship, 'Mein Kampf' surged as the most accessible and sought-after book in the market, highlighting the regime's intent to monopolize thought and ensure its ideology was the predominant narrative available.
My Rumblings
You might be wondering about my perspective on 'Mein Kampf.' Across its two volumes and 720 pages, I found the reading experience to be overwhelmingly dull, becoming increasingly tedious as I progressed. My initial enthusiasm stemmed from a curiosity to delve into the mind of Adolf Hitler, a figure prominently featured in my IGCSE History classes. Yet, by the book's conclusion, I was relieved to be finished, feeling as though it had sapped my energy.
My disappointment wasn't due to an expectation of action-packed scenes or thought-provoking dialogue; rather, it was Hitler's relentless, repetitive exposition of his ideologies that exhausted me. His continuous rants against Jews, Western powers, Communists, and various other subjects felt akin to enduring a tirade from someone complaining incessantly over grievances others hadn't caused. In my view, 'Mein Kampf' could have been sufficiently condensed into a single volume of no more than 200 pages. The text's tendency to drag on resulted in a few unintentional naps on my part, highlighting its need for significant editorial trimming.
A Silver Lining
Adolf Hitler's sole literary endeavor, 'Mein Kampf,' is undeniably steeped in racist ideologies and perspectives that I unequivocally reject. Yet, I adhere to the principle of finding a silver lining in every situation, encapsulated by the motto, “Always look for the good in the bad.” Despite its glaring flaws—dullness, racism, and borderline insanity—the text serves as a crucial educational tool. It underscores the importance of understanding and rejecting the path laid out by individuals like Hitler. Through his misguided views and experiences, we are offered insight into the dangers of such ideologies and the importance of managing these ideas in our contemporary world.
“Dear posterity, if you have not become more just or peaceful and generally more rational than what we are or were, then may the devil take you.”
Albert Einstein
While I won't engage in an extensive examination of this quote by Albert Einstein, it's essential to recognize that embracing challenging works like 'Mein Kampf' for educational purposes can guide us towards a society that aspires to be more just, peaceful, and rational. This endeavor aligns with the broader goal of learning from history's darkest chapters to ensure a united and harmonious future.
Never Ever
'Mein Kampf' is a text that I hope never to revisit, destined to remain buried at the farthest reaches of my bookshelf. Not even the lure of a $100 million reward could entice me to endure its pages again. I often refer to it as Hitler's little diary—an unfiltered outpouring of thoughts lacking any meaningful insight. Yet, as previously mentioned, it's crucial to confront these dark chapters of literature to progress as enlightened, peace-loving individuals, in pursuit of the harmonious world envisioned by Albert Einstein.
Launching my book review journey, I assign 'Mein Kampf' a lowly score of 20 on the Vigor Scale. This book may hold value for those with a deep interest in history, particularly in understanding the psyche of malevolent dictators like Adolf Hitler. However, it's far from a leisurely read, serving better as a historical study and a dive into the mind behind such hatred. Additionally, the fact that the Nazis held this book in such high regard as a pillar of their ideology really highlights their penchant for dreadfully dull reading material—a somewhat ironic testament to their taste in literature.
Interesting. Your review summarised Hitler's book very well. Thank you