Hitler

Ascent 1889-1939

By: Volker Ullrich

Narrated by: Don Hagen

A major new biography - an extraordinary, penetrating study of the man who has become the personification of evil.

For all the literature about Adolf Hitler, there have been just four seminal biographies; this is the fifth, a landmark work that sheds important new light on Hitler himself. Drawing on previously unseen papers and a wealth of recent scholarly research, Volker Ullrich reveals the man behind the public persona, from Hitler's childhood, to his failures as a young man in Vienna, to his experiences during the First World War, to his rise as a far-right party leader. Ullrich deftly captures Hitler's intelligence, instinctive grasp of politics, and gift for oratory as well as his megalomania, deep insecurity, and repulsive worldview.

Many previous biographies have focused on the larger social conditions that explain the rise of the Third Reich. Ullrich gives us a comprehensive portrait of a postwar Germany humiliated by defeat, wracked by political crisis, and starved by an economic depression - but his real gift is to show vividly how Hitler used his ruthlessness and political talent to shape the Nazi party and lead it to power. For decades the world has tried to grasp how Hitler was possible. By focusing on the man at the center of it all, on how he experienced his world, formed his political beliefs, and wielded power, this riveting biography brings us closer than ever to the answer.

Translated from the German by Jefferson Chase.

©2016 Volker Ullrich (P)2016 Gildan Media LLC

Critic reviews

"Ullrich reveals Hitler to have been an eminently practical politician - and frighteningly so. Timely...One of the best works on Hitler and the origins of the Third Reich to appear in recent years." ( Kirkus Reviews)

"An outstanding study...All the huge, and terrible moments of the early Nazi era are dissected...but the real strength of this book is in disentangling the personal story of man and monster." ( The Guardian [U.K.])

Worthwhile if you haven't read a Hitler biography

I've read every major historical biography of Hitler in my studies, so I picked this up on audible for ease. Honestly, it's ok. I would certainly say it's a good start off point, at least as good as Kershaw's and with some updated information. Ullrich also concentrates a lot more on Hitler the man and has a fairly differing POV with a lot of previous scholarship on questions about Hitler's personality. I certainly cannot complain about the research and writing, it's all good. Honestly though, I preferred reading it myself later. The narration isn't great.

Adds a lot

While I learned a lot about the Nazi dictatorship from Kershaw’s biography, it couldn’t explain Hitler’s personal power. This study rectifies, by giving Hitler more credit both as an actor and for intellect (memory). However, both are so eager to avoid psychohistory they are incapable of addressing their subject’s megalomania, paranoia, obsessiveness and criminality (antisocial), even as they use these terms loosely as they go. At least this study explains better why Hitler was politically potent. Both books teach a lot about the Third Reich generally, with Ullrich having access to latest sources but Kershaw more interpretive, theoretical.

Timely Story

Just after I hear about the Nazi machinations in Munich the Charlottesville crisis with American Nazis marching and chanting anti-Jew slurs takes place.

This book proves relevant especially if you think like many Germans did back then- that it can't happen here, were too civilized a country.

Excellent…best yet

Read them all from Roland to Joachim Fest to Ian Kershaw. Will probably read Bullock some day. On to Volume 2 now,…

Excellent

Literally can’t stop listening at every opportunity . Excellent in every respect, despite the absolutely horrifying subject matter.

EXHAUSTIBLY Thorough, Highly Informative

This was a wonderful beginning biography. At times it could get (for the non-professional-historian) exhaustibly—or exhaustingly?!—thorough. Yet it was excellent, and the reading matched it. I look forward (in a fearful and sad way) to the sequel and (thankfully) downfall.

Riveting

Incredibly detailed and meticulously researched exploration of Hitler's early years and the social and political climate that enabled his path to power. A must-read for history enthusiasts.

Great book!

This is perhaps one of the best woks on the subject I have come across. Personal details make this work come to life in a way that makes it most enjoyable to listen to. Highly recommend it.

Info good reading not so much.

Good information but difficult to listen to. The reader was a little sleep inducing. Part of it was parts that were a bit technical and hard to follow. With all the acronyms (NSDAP,SPD, ASPCA, ABCD, LMNOP) it can be easy to get lost. And changes in pronunciation made it hard as well. Ava Braun's name was anything from actual pronunciation to Brown.

Gripping, eye opening look into the life of HItler

A compelling look into the personal beginnings of Hitler right up until after the annexation of Czechoslovakia in 1939. The author presents an exhaustive account of every aspect of Hitlers life in an effort to separate the legend from the fatally flawed megalomaniacal
individual that he was.