Hitler

by Albert Marrin

The penniless tramp who rose to wield more power than most any other man in history. This illustrated biography exposes the beguiling nature of totalitarianism. A must read.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, School, World War II, Biography Memoir, Read For School

249 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Albert Marrin is a historian and the author of more than twenty nonfiction books for young people. He has won various awards for his writing, including the 2005 James Madison Book Award and the 2008 National Endowment for Humanities Medal. In 2011, his book Flesh and Blood So Cheap was a National Book Award Finalist. Marrin is the Chairman of the History Department at New York's Yeshiva University.

Reviews

[Amy Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book really affected my emotions.

First, Albert Marrin:
excellent writer. I think this is my first entire book I've read by him. He writes for youth, but I'd put most of his books at 8th grade on up to adult. My son (just turned 12) eats up history books, but I think I'm going to have him wait on this one until high school. The content matter is so dark and disturbing at times. Once the war started, I couldn't put this book down. Marrin did an excellent job describing the terror Hitler inflicted on enemies and fanatical loyalty he inspired in his German followers. I felt a horrible awe several times.

Second, Hitler:
I do feel bad rating a book on Hitler as a 5-star book, because if I were to rate the man himself, he couldn't even get 1 star, I am filled with such loathing for him. I knew he was bad, wicked, evil, and that people questioned his sanity; but I didn't know that he was actually evil incarnate (his head men's own words) and truly insane and/or demon-possessed. I dog-eared several pages that gave good evidence that he was a maniac, and eventually quit because there was so much evidence that he was insane, and so little that he wasn't.

I give this 5 stars because the writing was excellent, and because the lessons for life are stark and impressive. I don't know how a person could read this and not come away loving freedom and wary of socialism. I felt so proud of America, because as this book portrays, it really seems like we saved the free world. I pray America never sees a day when we forget the lessons that history like this provide for us, when we justify wrong-doing and racism (true racism), when we follow evil men, when we lose our freedoms and live in terror, especially suppressing the Christian religion which is the foundation for our liberties. For that reason, every American should read this, as the author ended, to remember. "Let no one forget; Let nothing be forgotten."

Some quotes:
"Goebbels struck first at freedom of the press." p. 81
End of the book: "Another, more important, part of the Hitler legacy is a warning and a lesson. The warning is that although democracy is still the best form of government, it can be quickly destroyed; we must never take it for granted. The lesson of Hitler is that people guided by hatred and unreason are capable of any and all crimes."

[Gabe Nowlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book was hard to read at times. There were several occasions where I wanted to throw it across the room. Regardless it was a five star book. The book starts with Hitler’s youth and ends with his suicide. In the middle it details his rise to power and the millions that died only to see a failed Germany and a devastated world.

[Maggie Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

read for school, good account of history

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lesson of Hitler is that people guided by hatred and unreason are capable of any and all crimes.

Albert Marrin does a wonderful job of taking a ton of information and writing about them in a very clear way. The reason I've given this book five stars is ONLY because of how it was written! I obviously don't agree with any of Hitler's beliefs.
Not at all dry or boring. I could easily understand what was happening and how everything happened.

Let no one forget;
Let nothing be forgotten.

[Dexter · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it did take me a very very very long time to get through this book, I still kind of...enjoyed it? More like was interested in it, because it's hard to enjoy a book about so much tragedy and terror.

Albert Marrin does a very good job writing about Htler's entire life and the war as a whole. He's the kind of nonfiction writer that makes me ask more questions and want to know even more about the subject, which, in my opinion, is the best kind of nonfiction writer.

[Linda Mock · Rating 3 out of 5]

People used to modern history\biography will find much to criticize in Marrin. The few people out there, who read Herodotus with enjoyment, will be fine with his style.
This book, written at a middle school level, will give anyone a broad but reasonably comprehensive look at Hitler's life.
Having just read both this book and Marrin's book on Stalin, I am taking a short reprieve from deeply damaged and evil men, for my own peace of mind. Eventually, I intend to read his book on Chairman Mao. Between Stalin and Hitler, Hitler comes across as ever so slightly, less utterly evil.

[Winnie Thornton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great place to start if you want an accessible, well-written but not too detailed biography of Germany's monster. Albert Marrin is technically a children's writer, but he's just as fabulous for adults who want quick, vivid, compelling history. I underline his descriptions of bombs and explosions more than anything else; he's really got a knack for them.

[Molly Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating look at the life of Adolf Hitler. The world knows much about the atrocities he inflicted on the Jews, but this book opened my eyes to many of the other evils he created as well. Well worth reading.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want to learn about Hitler's evil, sick life this is the book! This book is wonderful in understanding WWII and Hitler's wicked plans and motives. Lots of digusting details...

[Yong Yao Loh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of a coincidence that I am reading this after Beatrice and Virgil, but perhaps appropriately so. This book is not so much about Adolf Hitler specifically but more of an overarching account of his beginnings, followed by a brief but quite detailed account of Germany's role (which was of course heavily influenced by Hitler himself) in the European theatre of WWII. Although I'm no history buff, I was familiar with many of the things that were covered, but I did still glean some new knowledge about how Hitler himself had actively delayed the German advance on Moscow, setting the stage for the Russian winter to turn the tide, the Allied liberation of Italy from the south, and also the tactical feints that helped to dupe Hitler with respect to the Normandy beach landings on D-Day. One thing that really struck me throughout was how war reduced soldiers to mere numbers, and how crazy it is to be a soldier on the frontline facing near-certain death. It was also particularly chilling to read many descriptions/quotations of Hitler and find that they could easily be attributed to other political figures today. It is only fitting to end this review with a quote of warning from the author himself: "The lesson of Hitler is that people guided by hatred and unreason are capable of any and all crimes."

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although written for a young adult audience, this book was very informative and helpful to understand not only the life of Hitler, but the events that transpired in Germany during the decade before WW2.

Well-researched and presented in a compelling way, I was captivated by the whole book. I felt like I was propelling through history as the narrative hurled through event after event without a break!

This book helped me to learn much about Hitler, and increased the depth of my knowledge about the facts surrounding his tyrannical reign. A true, deeply sad picture was portrayed of the depravity of man, fully unleashed. I have a deepened appreciation for the men and women who served with their lives to stop this man. Truly, he is reaping the harvest of the seeds he sowed in this life.

This book was written for young people and I recommend that young people read it as it provides a necessary understanding of this facet of human history.

[Kin Kin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books was very good!! This follows Hitler through his youth to adulthood, and the vileness that came from his mind. He was an artist at a young age, and, wanting to get into art school to make a last rebellious decision against his father, tried to get accepted into one of the most prominent art schools in Vienna. But he was denied, and that started his evil tirade. He became an anti-seminist, blaming the Jews for anything and everything bad that went wrong in his life. He began to hate, and it made it worse when his powerful speaking voice and opinions touched the hearts of a war-torn Germany. The Nazis came into power, taking country after country and making allies then ultimately betraying them down the road. The power but complete stupidness of this human being was insane to me, and this book was SO good, but so very mauvais (bad in French 😆).

[Merynn Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hitler is a sad but interesting book about the life of Adolf Hitler. Throughout this book Albert Marrin helps us grasp the hatred that Hitler had for the people. It made me sad reading about how Hitler treated his soldiers, how people thought what he was doing was right, and how Hitler had such hate for the Jewish people. I learned that “people guided by hatred and unreason are capable of any and all crimes,” but with the help of God anyone can overcome even their darkest and hardest challenges.

[c. anne ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this in-depth biography.

We did it over a period of weeks for school -- would highly recommend for students who seek to learn more about WWII and what happened before/during it through the eyes of the Feurher.

[Aria Maher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously a difficult, and rather depressing read, given the subject matter, but this book is a fantastic in-depth look at the madman who tried to rule the world, and imparts the important reminder that we must remember his evil deeds so that they may not be repeated.

[Lauren George · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean, obviously everything in this book was horrible, but I actually read the whole thing in one sitting because it was written in a way that made history not seem like history. I have no idea how to rate it.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful, but a tough read, given the topic.

[Shira Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and impactful introduction to Hitler and Nazi Germany.

[Syd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good as a school reading. Written well so I could easily understand, but still had a meaningful depth to it.

Recommended ages 13\14 & up.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a bit put off when the librarian handed me this book with a big “J” on the spine for juvenile. I needn’t have worried, though. Because Marrin directed his writing to young people, it is very clear and understandable. And it’s a far cry from the dumbed down history books that fill our public school shelves today.

Marrin does a superb job of setting the stage for Hitler’s rise to power. He clearly explains why Hitler was so popular and why most Germans were fooled by him. He describes how Hitler’s persuasive speaking skills sent young people into a frenzy of patriotism. There was nothing they would not do for their fuehrer.

If you are interested in World War II this is a fascinating, articulate, and sobering look at the events that were orchestrated by one of history’s most famous villains.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

very interesting read. the book did have its low points, but they were few, and the majority of the time I enjoyed it. I would've liked it if the book criminalized Hitler less. Although he did horrible things, he didn't think of them as such. He had a different mindset than most people, and while that doesn't excuse his actions, it deserves to be talked about more. But I'm sure my opinion is unpopular and Albert Marrin has the more common one. I liked the chapters about Hitler's childhood and youth the best. They gave a great look into why he felt how he did. How he projected his failure and sense of entitlement onto others, and how he was mentally ill.

[Collin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Albert Marrin is my history/biography Diana Wynne Jones - the guy can't write a bad one. Same goes for this portrait of Hitler and his life before and during WWII. As usual, there are also a lot of vignettes of other significant figures - Montgomery, Rommel, the White Rose - which made everything even better.

One can't read about Hitler without getting a little chill down one's spine, but Marrin did an better job than most.

[Carolyn Lockwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the content is gruesome, the writing style was extremely readable. I think the book is inaccurately titled, for the book not only discussed Hitler but also many battles of the war. I understand that Germany's losses affected Hitler and were caused by his errors in military judgment, but the book seemed to often lose its focus.

[Abigail Rasmussen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mom read this book aloud to my sister (14), brother (12) and I (17) when we were were studying Modern History. It has some descriptions of the sadness and horror of war that a different brother of mine was still too sensitive to read or listen to when he was 13 years old.

[Glenn Banks · Rating 4 out of 5]

although this is about Hitler, it was much more like a brief WWII history. I hope no other person with his personality ever gets into such high power. how would the would be different if it was not for Hitler though?

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very hard to read. With all the killing it's so dreadful but you learn more about hitler other then his hate.

[Carolyn]

Think I had to read this for history class . . .

[Mia Merrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written. I had never read a book about Hitler's rise to power, and wanted to understand how he became who he became. Very enlightening.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and interesting, included all you need to know about Hitler.

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Book