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The Life and Death of Adolf Hitler: A Biography for Kids (Ages 10-12) About the Complex Leader Who Changed History
* “The most complete and successful biography of the Führer available for this audience.”— SLJ, starred review Many people believe Hitler was the personification of evil. In this Sibert Medal–winning biography, James Cross Giblin penetrates this façade and presents a picture of a complex person—at once a brilliant, influential politician and a deeply disturbed man. Giblin explores the forces that shaped the man as well as the social conditions that furthered his rapid rise to power. Powerful archival images provide a haunting visual accompaniment to this clear and compelling account of a life that left an ineradicable mark on our world.
256 pages, Paperback
First published April 22, 2002
26 people are currently reading
423 people want to read
About the author
James Cross Giblin
53 books16 followersJames Cross Giblin was an American children's author and editor, known for his award-winning works. He won the Golden Kite Award and the Sibert Medal for his contributions to children's literature. Giblin was born in Cleveland and raised in Painesville, Ohio. He graduated from Western Reserve University and earned a master's in playwriting from Columbia University. After a brief acting career, he entered publishing, founding Clarion Books, a children's imprint later acquired by Houghton Mifflin. At Clarion, he edited works by notable authors like Eileen Christelow and Mary Downing Hahn. Giblin’s works include The Life and Death of Adolf Hitler and Good Brother, Bad Brother.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
April 23, 2012
Being a history buff, I took a personal interest to this book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I found it interesting how the author portrayed Hitler's life. The book did not just cover his dictatorship, and the war. It showed how he was in his younger years, and it presented his rise to power. It makes him seem more realistic. I feel that it is important to try to truly understand Hitler as a person. He did horrific things in his life, yet at the time, he was glorified for it. If history truly repeats itself, people should know and understand what happened.
He was like us. He went to school. He struggled in math. He dreamt of being an artist. He played Cops and Robbers. He was normal, yet he rose to be one of the most powerful people in the history of the world. He is a figure head to children who read about him in their text books. The accurate information in this book will give readers a different perspective on him.
Hitler is obviously a villain, and students should understand that; however, I feel that this book shows them that even some similar to themselves can do evil. I would have my students read this biography during the Holocaust or World War II unit. I would stress the fact of how deadly stereotyping can be. Hopefully after reading the book, they will learn a greater lesson then just the historical facts.
He was like us. He went to school. He struggled in math. He dreamt of being an artist. He played Cops and Robbers. He was normal, yet he rose to be one of the most powerful people in the history of the world. He is a figure head to children who read about him in their text books. The accurate information in this book will give readers a different perspective on him.
Hitler is obviously a villain, and students should understand that; however, I feel that this book shows them that even some similar to themselves can do evil. I would have my students read this biography during the Holocaust or World War II unit. I would stress the fact of how deadly stereotyping can be. Hopefully after reading the book, they will learn a greater lesson then just the historical facts.
April 30, 2015
What an extremely interesting book. It tells the facts as they happened, but doesn't make them overly complicated (which tends to happen in history books). I was able to understand what was happening perfectly fine. Do understand that this book does not intend to teach you about the *whole* of world war 2. It doesn't go into detail about the camps or ghettos, but really only explains how Hitler was behind it and his political/military strategies.
The book can get technical at times but the pictures balance that. I think I'll have to go and buy a copy of my own.
The book can get technical at times but the pictures balance that. I think I'll have to go and buy a copy of my own.
May 22, 2018
This is a timely read given the current state of American politics - Hitler's rise to power is one that should never be forgotten, and thanks to comprehensive but readable accounts like this, it won't be. This author does not gloss over things but instead chronicles Adolf Hitler's remarkable impact very well. This book was immersive and never got boring, despite some of the more minor details about the war in particular. The last few pages especially give a great case for why books like this will remain important for young people to read.
December 22, 2024
Continuing my read of Sibert Winners and Honors. This was a bit of a tough read. Part of that, perhaps most of it, was the subject matter. The book was all text and it was clear and readable. But it was a slow slog without being able to blame that on the details. As expected this was a story worth telling and remembering. The conclusion took a try at making the case that Hitler's brand of fanaticism (crazyness) was still out in the world. This book touched on horrors but to some degree to didn't dwell on them. Still this was a dark book. 3.5 of 5
April 25, 2021
I don’t normally like to read history books, but this was very engaging and an enjoyable read. Would recommend it
March 20, 2018
I have always been fascinated by WWII. Ever since I was young, I can remember going to the library in the Summer searching through all the bookshelves until I could find every book about that time period. However, looking back on the books I read, I chose to read books about concentration camps, families, and life during this time period. I never took the time to read about Adolf Hitler, the man who is at fault for this horrific time period. So when I saw this book, I was instantly intrigued and decided to read it! This book looks at the life of Hitler, digging into his younger childhood life, spanning all the way until his last final days which were spent mostly in a bunker. It also focuses in on his rise to becoming the horrific dictator that he ultimately was. Overall, I loved this book! If you have an interest in WWII, I would highly recommend reading about the man behind it all.
April 23, 2012
I read this book when I was in 8th grade and loved it. I am Jewish by blood, and I have relatives who died in the Holocaust. Reading about Hitler's life really impacted my life, and the way I view my family's history. This biography starts with Adolf as a innocent young man, and we see how a cruel environment can affect a young adult.
the book is incredibly accurate. we see at the beginning a young adult who was very much like us when we were younger. He loved his mother, and he had great dreams of becoming an artist. Throughout the book, however, we see this man with a sensitive side become corrupted by the world and become one of the most powerful men of all history.
The book is presented in an organized way. As stated above, the book starts from when he is a young boy and goes throughout his life. It goes on past his life to highlight how he continued to affect the world even after his death.
I found the book very appealing, but I would not have students under 8th grade read it. While Hitler was a human being, he was a villian. His mind was obviously corrupted, yet his actions are not any less evil. I would have students of younger grades read a book less dense and informative.
The author's writing style is clear, and presents the topic in a detailed but understandable way. It is obvious the author is very interested and intrigued by the life and influence of Adolf Hitler, by the detail he goes into explain his life and personality.
As a teacher, I would first explain that Hitler was not born evil. He was once a child and student just like all of them. I would explain however, how greatly he negatively impacted not just his country, not just his continent, but the entire world. I would have my students read this biography to better understand what all happened before, during, and after World War II.
the book is incredibly accurate. we see at the beginning a young adult who was very much like us when we were younger. He loved his mother, and he had great dreams of becoming an artist. Throughout the book, however, we see this man with a sensitive side become corrupted by the world and become one of the most powerful men of all history.
The book is presented in an organized way. As stated above, the book starts from when he is a young boy and goes throughout his life. It goes on past his life to highlight how he continued to affect the world even after his death.
I found the book very appealing, but I would not have students under 8th grade read it. While Hitler was a human being, he was a villian. His mind was obviously corrupted, yet his actions are not any less evil. I would have students of younger grades read a book less dense and informative.
The author's writing style is clear, and presents the topic in a detailed but understandable way. It is obvious the author is very interested and intrigued by the life and influence of Adolf Hitler, by the detail he goes into explain his life and personality.
As a teacher, I would first explain that Hitler was not born evil. He was once a child and student just like all of them. I would explain however, how greatly he negatively impacted not just his country, not just his continent, but the entire world. I would have my students read this biography to better understand what all happened before, during, and after World War II.
February 25, 2019
30 December 2002 THE LIFE AND DEATH OF ADOLF HITLER by by James Cross Giblin, Clarion Books, April 2002
"...And it's one, two three, what are we fighting for?..."
--Country Joe & The Fish
If I had been born a few years earlier, or if the Vietnam War had dragged on a few more years, I might well be a Canadian resident today. As an active opponent of the War throughout high school I knew that I was heading north if my number came up.
I recall how my friend Jamie would blissfully smile and calmly insist--when pressed by a notably less pacifistic friend of ours--that even if someone had a gun pointed at his mother, he (Jamie) could not shoot that person. Golden-haired Jamie, who I idolized, was a year older than I and was similarly spared having to choose what to do because of the end of the Draft.
"...For I flew the final mission in the Japanese sky
Set off the mighty mushroom roar
When I saw the cities burning
I knew that I was learning
That I ain’t marchin’ anymore..."
--Phil Ochs
I read THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK as a child. Grew up in the era of nuclear tests. And I'd go to business parties during the late Sixties with my dad and converse with veterans of World War II who explained how different THAT war was. A significant portion of my friends and classmates throughout my Long Island childhood and adolescence were Jewish, some of whom had lost relatives during the Holocaust. Now I have a daughter who will be spending Spring Break visiting the country on which our nation dropped The Bomb. And while I couldn't take a life no matter what the circumstances, the never-ending horror of knowing what the Nazis perpetrated in those years--not very long before my own birth--has always made me wonder how I would have felt if I were an American teenager back then and knew what was going on.
Thus, I have always been very interested in literature that explores that time in history. This year has marked the American publication of a number of excellent young adult books to feed that desire:
POSTCARDS FROM NO MAN'S LAND for which British author Aidan Chambers won the Carnegie Medal in 2000 has been garnering further critical acclaim this year with its release here in the States. THE DIVINE WIND: A LOVE STORY, (http://richiespicks.com/users/stories...) which was shortlisted by the Children's Book Council of Australia a few years ago, also arrived in America this year. SOLDIER BOYS by Dean Hughes was a memorable read about two boys--one grown in America, the other raised a Hitler Youth--who march toward their fateful meeting as they learn what war is really all about. And in the YA novel WHEN MY NAME WAS KEOKO, last year's Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park explores Japan's pre-war occupation of Korea. There is also LEFT FOR DEAD: A YOUNG MAN'S SEARCH FOR JUSTICE FOR THE USS INDIANAPOLIS (http://richiespicks.com/users/stories...) which is an exceptional work of nonfiction regarding the ship that was sunk after delivering the bomb that the US dropped on Hiroshima.
"There are no memorials to Adolf Hitler in Germany, the country he ruled with an iron hand from 1933 to 1945."
So begins THE LIFE AND DEATH OF ADOLF HITLER by James Cross Giblin, a book that provides essential information for young adults who want to understand the twentieth century. In writing a detailed biography of the most infamous human being of the last hundred years, the author has put together a fascinating story that never lets up. In doing so, Mr. Giblin also provides a clear overview of the events leading up to and through the second world war. Beginning with the haunting cover, the book is illustrated with large, clear photographs of the significant people and places we encounter, as well as several well-drawn maps to which I'd periodically refer as I read the book.
"To celebrate his triumph, Hitler planned a sightseeing tour of Paris, a city he had long admired but never visited. His favorite architect, Albert Speer, accompanied the Führer as he visited the ornate Paris Opera, drove down the broad Champs Élysées, stopped at the Eiffel Tower, and lingered for a long time at the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte. The three-hour tour through almost completely deserted streets--the French deliberately stayed away--ended on the heights of Montmartre, long known as a district for artists. Perhaps its narrow streets and outdoor cafés reminded Hitler of his youthful days in Vienna, when he himself had dreamed of being an artist."
THE LIFE AND DEATH OF ADOLF HITLER does an exceptional job answering the questions of how Hitler was able to gain control of the German government, and how his forces and henchmen were able to succeed so horrifically and effectively before they were finally halted. We see how the long-term effects of the Versailles Treaty on Germany lead almost inevitably to the opportunity for Hitler's rise to power. We are reminded of the significant anti-Semitism in the US, Britain, and other countries that figured into their less-than-stellar response to Hitler's aggression and genocide. (I can remember how my friends' families still weren't welcome at some private clubs in the 60's!) And, of course, we see Hitler from birth to death: as a son, a student, an artist, a failure, and a homeless person who eventually finds a group in which to belong. Joining that organization, making it his, and changing the world forever--the lesson here is not lost on the author, who ends the book with a profile of some Neo-Nazi groups in existence today.
We also get a good look at many of the trustworthy men who turned Hitler's maniacal goals into reality:
"Neat and methodical, Himmler was a born bureaucrat. He worshiped Hitler and would carry out any order the Führer gave him, immediately and without question."
I thought that I knew all about Adolf Hitler. But from the vivid photograph of one of his watercolor paintings to the details of his final hours with Eva Braun and Joseph Goebbels, James Cross Giblin has illuminated the life of a madman and given me a real education.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
"...And it's one, two three, what are we fighting for?..."
--Country Joe & The Fish
If I had been born a few years earlier, or if the Vietnam War had dragged on a few more years, I might well be a Canadian resident today. As an active opponent of the War throughout high school I knew that I was heading north if my number came up.
I recall how my friend Jamie would blissfully smile and calmly insist--when pressed by a notably less pacifistic friend of ours--that even if someone had a gun pointed at his mother, he (Jamie) could not shoot that person. Golden-haired Jamie, who I idolized, was a year older than I and was similarly spared having to choose what to do because of the end of the Draft.
"...For I flew the final mission in the Japanese sky
Set off the mighty mushroom roar
When I saw the cities burning
I knew that I was learning
That I ain’t marchin’ anymore..."
--Phil Ochs
I read THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK as a child. Grew up in the era of nuclear tests. And I'd go to business parties during the late Sixties with my dad and converse with veterans of World War II who explained how different THAT war was. A significant portion of my friends and classmates throughout my Long Island childhood and adolescence were Jewish, some of whom had lost relatives during the Holocaust. Now I have a daughter who will be spending Spring Break visiting the country on which our nation dropped The Bomb. And while I couldn't take a life no matter what the circumstances, the never-ending horror of knowing what the Nazis perpetrated in those years--not very long before my own birth--has always made me wonder how I would have felt if I were an American teenager back then and knew what was going on.
Thus, I have always been very interested in literature that explores that time in history. This year has marked the American publication of a number of excellent young adult books to feed that desire:
POSTCARDS FROM NO MAN'S LAND for which British author Aidan Chambers won the Carnegie Medal in 2000 has been garnering further critical acclaim this year with its release here in the States. THE DIVINE WIND: A LOVE STORY, (http://richiespicks.com/users/stories...) which was shortlisted by the Children's Book Council of Australia a few years ago, also arrived in America this year. SOLDIER BOYS by Dean Hughes was a memorable read about two boys--one grown in America, the other raised a Hitler Youth--who march toward their fateful meeting as they learn what war is really all about. And in the YA novel WHEN MY NAME WAS KEOKO, last year's Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park explores Japan's pre-war occupation of Korea. There is also LEFT FOR DEAD: A YOUNG MAN'S SEARCH FOR JUSTICE FOR THE USS INDIANAPOLIS (http://richiespicks.com/users/stories...) which is an exceptional work of nonfiction regarding the ship that was sunk after delivering the bomb that the US dropped on Hiroshima.
"There are no memorials to Adolf Hitler in Germany, the country he ruled with an iron hand from 1933 to 1945."
So begins THE LIFE AND DEATH OF ADOLF HITLER by James Cross Giblin, a book that provides essential information for young adults who want to understand the twentieth century. In writing a detailed biography of the most infamous human being of the last hundred years, the author has put together a fascinating story that never lets up. In doing so, Mr. Giblin also provides a clear overview of the events leading up to and through the second world war. Beginning with the haunting cover, the book is illustrated with large, clear photographs of the significant people and places we encounter, as well as several well-drawn maps to which I'd periodically refer as I read the book.
"To celebrate his triumph, Hitler planned a sightseeing tour of Paris, a city he had long admired but never visited. His favorite architect, Albert Speer, accompanied the Führer as he visited the ornate Paris Opera, drove down the broad Champs Élysées, stopped at the Eiffel Tower, and lingered for a long time at the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte. The three-hour tour through almost completely deserted streets--the French deliberately stayed away--ended on the heights of Montmartre, long known as a district for artists. Perhaps its narrow streets and outdoor cafés reminded Hitler of his youthful days in Vienna, when he himself had dreamed of being an artist."
THE LIFE AND DEATH OF ADOLF HITLER does an exceptional job answering the questions of how Hitler was able to gain control of the German government, and how his forces and henchmen were able to succeed so horrifically and effectively before they were finally halted. We see how the long-term effects of the Versailles Treaty on Germany lead almost inevitably to the opportunity for Hitler's rise to power. We are reminded of the significant anti-Semitism in the US, Britain, and other countries that figured into their less-than-stellar response to Hitler's aggression and genocide. (I can remember how my friends' families still weren't welcome at some private clubs in the 60's!) And, of course, we see Hitler from birth to death: as a son, a student, an artist, a failure, and a homeless person who eventually finds a group in which to belong. Joining that organization, making it his, and changing the world forever--the lesson here is not lost on the author, who ends the book with a profile of some Neo-Nazi groups in existence today.
We also get a good look at many of the trustworthy men who turned Hitler's maniacal goals into reality:
"Neat and methodical, Himmler was a born bureaucrat. He worshiped Hitler and would carry out any order the Führer gave him, immediately and without question."
I thought that I knew all about Adolf Hitler. But from the vivid photograph of one of his watercolor paintings to the details of his final hours with Eva Braun and Joseph Goebbels, James Cross Giblin has illuminated the life of a madman and given me a real education.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
October 13, 2016
I haven't read all of the book yet, but from what I've read, Hitler isn't the man we thought him to truly be. We all thought he was born this evil man, but in reality, none of us are born bad or good, the same goes for Hitler. All he ever wanted to do was draw. But because people didn't think him talented, they rejected him. So he enrolled into the military, and they lost. He got angry, so he blamed it on the Jews. We all have to blame something on somebody, he chose the Jews. Why won't anyone take time to realize that maybe, just maybe, Hitler wasn't as bad as we think he was.
October 28, 2015
I thought that this was a very interesting book. It was cool to understand the life of a horrible man. I recomend this book to whoever wont get offeded and likes fiction. He was actually a very smart man just bad decisions. For a fiction book its not that boring.
October 28, 2021
Adolf Hitler managed to impact his victims, survivors, and the world throughout his terrifying dictatorship. Without question, Hitler built his legacy through his disturbing mind, and his perceived image is nothing short of deserving. Many would say this man is the Devil and I do not know if I would disagree. However, his role in World War II and his actions can leave detached attitudes as his actions are so egregious at massive scale and too painful to imagine. What makes this biography different is that readers receive a view of Hitler as a person. The book covers his early life, rise to power, and fall, which helps depict him as an individual with intelligence, motives, and strategies. The reader's ability to understand Hitler as a person helps us notice the red flags and other aspects of an individual with similar intentions. If we can identify what happened, maybe we can prevent history from repeating itself. I rated this book a four because I find Hitler and other real-life villains interesting, and this book did a great job at answering my unanswered questions about how something like the Holocaust could happen in the first place.
February 14, 2017
The future Führer lives a fairly decent childhood before before rising up as the so-called savior of great Germany. In a series of catastrophic events, he causes World War II, pitting the Axis Powers against the Allies. Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed this biography because it provides detail to the Führer's life other than just as a psychotic anti-semitic mastermind. There is a bit of irony from outside sources related to this book, even if you've somehow never heard of the Führer. Just by the title alone, you should be able to infer that he loses in the end, especially if you actually decide to read the back of the book. There is a bit of humor, possibly as well, such as the instance where you learn that Adolf had a dog with him named "Foxy" during WWI in his trench as his faithful companion. I would personally recommend this book because, as previously stated, it provides more backround on the Führer other than the atrocities that are taught on a basic level.
November 15, 2024
A non-fiction account of Adolf Hitler that is very deserving of the Seibert medal. Giblin presents the circumstances of Hitler's rise to power and later paranoid spiral with an even tempered readability that doesn't go out of its way to tell you he is a monster but lays bare the atrocities he inflicted on the world by showing his monstrous actions.
The book is streamlined well, with some brief asides of simultaneous goings on, such as the White Rose protestors and Anne Frank, that give a wider scope to events while the focus remained on Hitler's choices and words. The last chapter discussing the continued influence of fascist and Nazi adherents is unfortunately more relevant now than it was when first published.
The book is streamlined well, with some brief asides of simultaneous goings on, such as the White Rose protestors and Anne Frank, that give a wider scope to events while the focus remained on Hitler's choices and words. The last chapter discussing the continued influence of fascist and Nazi adherents is unfortunately more relevant now than it was when first published.
November 25, 2025
Giblin did a really good job delivering on being a short, readable biography of Adolf Hitler that covers all of the major events of his life. Not as scholarly or as in-depth as I personally would have wanted, but solid for what it wants to do.
Three Reasons Why I gave it Three Stars
+ I appreciate the graphics and Giblin’s attentiveness to
+ The chapters do a great job briefly explaining the major events in a concise but informative way
- The lack of primary source information and deeper explorations of the motivations hinders the book’s impact.
Three Reasons Why I gave it Three Stars
+ I appreciate the graphics and Giblin’s attentiveness to
+ The chapters do a great job briefly explaining the major events in a concise but informative way
- The lack of primary source information and deeper explorations of the motivations hinders the book’s impact.
October 5, 2017
I think this book was great. Hitler was a influential, and charismatic man. He pushed Germany back up to its feet and pushed it in the best direction as possible. The only problem is that he is pushing the country in the wrong way. The Nazi way. This book covers the losses and wins of the Nazis, The Third Reich, and Hitler. I definitely would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys Historical Biographies around the WWI and WWII era.
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July 9, 2020https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mein...
Mein Journal
Read A journal you will never forget. A journal with many things you’d never think you’d ever see public, from woman history to nazis, to Native American history and facts not public to do much more!
The argument “Mein” is a never ending take a look!
Mein Journal
Read A journal you will never forget. A journal with many things you’d never think you’d ever see public, from woman history to nazis, to Native American history and facts not public to do much more!
The argument “Mein” is a never ending take a look!
September 8, 2024
This is an interesting story of Adolf Hitler, but he was obviously in NO way a good man. In the beginning of the book, they say he was interested in art and school, but later the book said of how he rose to power and later died. I was curious, before I read this, how he died and how he rose to power. Now I know.
July 29, 2021
This relatively slim volume on Adolph Hitler gives the reader Hitler’s life story and insights into his personality. I wanted much more of the personality insights rather than historic events, but the books gives a good introduction to his life.
August 5, 2021
I thought it was well written - easy to read, with just enough details that helped me understand the Europe and the U.S. through Hitler's life. Glad I read it, as I feel ready to teach my son WWI and WWII this semester.
February 12, 2022
For history buffs, this book is excellent.
I found the amount of text overwhelming and struggled to keep track of all of the progression of the war -- so many moving pieces!
At the same time, there were several factoids that I'll leave with, and for that I am grateful.
I found the amount of text overwhelming and struggled to keep track of all of the progression of the war -- so many moving pieces!
At the same time, there were several factoids that I'll leave with, and for that I am grateful.
March 21, 2018
Makes complex situations easy to understand, great pics to recreate the events
October 25, 2018
This is a book for the more mature reader. Interesting read for those who love history. Some my find the book disturbing because it pertains to a true life figure who was hated by many.
June 22, 2019
The research was lacking and the read was not enjoyable. The pictures were interesting.
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September 7, 2019It was an excellent history of Hitler.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2025
it was pretty good but a little boring but that’s because i’m used to fiction books. it was a very good book if you are interested in that topic!
January 16, 2025
I do like to read about ww2
November 3, 2018
An informative read about the history of Adolf Hitler that dives deep in details and information that really informs the reader. The reader really learns about Adolf Hitler and how he is and his characteristics and his whole life story. An intriguing read that I would recommend to anyone who's trying to educate themselves on World War II and Adolf Hitler. The one time the Author lacks in details is what the holocaust was about, and what exactly happened and why the Nazi's felt so strongly about them.
November 5, 2010
I love learning about history so I decided to read this book. As I began to read it I thought that the author, Giblin, was painting a sympathetic picture for Hitler’s life. As I read it was enraged. His mother died, that is tragic yes but millions face that. He didn’t get into art school, a lot of people don’t, etc. I just didn’t feel bad for him because I knew how he ended up becoming. I think perhaps Giblin was trying to make Hitler look like a man instead of the monster we all know him as.
I thought the first few chapters were boring mainly because I didn’t care about Hitler’s life or the possible “reasons” he became horrid. I didn’t feel sympathetic when he went through hard times; I was happy at the misfortunes in his life. I wish I could have read it from a less biased standpoint but I don’t think many people would be able to do it because we all know what he did and how he did it.
The book was very informational and educational. I really liked the author had pictures, comics, and actual quotes. I thought that really added richness to the book—it wasn’t straight facts; it was visual as well. My favorite quote was found on page 126, it’s when a Jewish student, Hershel Grynszpan, killed a German official in the German embassy in Paris, “Being a Jew is not a crime! I am not a dog. I have a right to live, and the Jewish people have a right to exist on this earth!” I thought that was such a powerful quote; it gave me chills. How could people not see the truth in Hershel’s quote?
This book definitely brought me to question many things and to really think about history. I do think it’s a good book. It is the biography of an evil dictator but it also tells the story of a rising Germany. It talks about other leaders and their effects on the war. It was very educational, I did learn a lot from this book. It’s not something I would recommend to someone under 18 just because the material is very mature but I would recommend it to college students and adults. I think it gives a different perspective on the war and almost takes you inside someone else’s head.
However, I would have liked to read more about the Jewish treatment during his reign. It did address some things as the Jewish boycott and the thought of extermination, etc. But I would have liked to hear more of the actual act and who he appointed, etc. Or his thoughts during the process. In addition, I would have liked more reference to the other victims of Hitler’s rule.
Overall I did like it and I would recommend it. It wasn’t my very favorite book but I did learn a lot and was, for the most part, interested. I usually don't like biographies but I did enjoy reading this one.
I thought the first few chapters were boring mainly because I didn’t care about Hitler’s life or the possible “reasons” he became horrid. I didn’t feel sympathetic when he went through hard times; I was happy at the misfortunes in his life. I wish I could have read it from a less biased standpoint but I don’t think many people would be able to do it because we all know what he did and how he did it.
The book was very informational and educational. I really liked the author had pictures, comics, and actual quotes. I thought that really added richness to the book—it wasn’t straight facts; it was visual as well. My favorite quote was found on page 126, it’s when a Jewish student, Hershel Grynszpan, killed a German official in the German embassy in Paris, “Being a Jew is not a crime! I am not a dog. I have a right to live, and the Jewish people have a right to exist on this earth!” I thought that was such a powerful quote; it gave me chills. How could people not see the truth in Hershel’s quote?
This book definitely brought me to question many things and to really think about history. I do think it’s a good book. It is the biography of an evil dictator but it also tells the story of a rising Germany. It talks about other leaders and their effects on the war. It was very educational, I did learn a lot from this book. It’s not something I would recommend to someone under 18 just because the material is very mature but I would recommend it to college students and adults. I think it gives a different perspective on the war and almost takes you inside someone else’s head.
However, I would have liked to read more about the Jewish treatment during his reign. It did address some things as the Jewish boycott and the thought of extermination, etc. But I would have liked to hear more of the actual act and who he appointed, etc. Or his thoughts during the process. In addition, I would have liked more reference to the other victims of Hitler’s rule.
Overall I did like it and I would recommend it. It wasn’t my very favorite book but I did learn a lot and was, for the most part, interested. I usually don't like biographies but I did enjoy reading this one.
November 9, 2010
I actually was very interested in this book. I have always been very interested in Adolf Hitler and the events of the Holocaust. It was neat to read about Hitler's childhood and his love of art. I would have never guessed this about him. It makes you wonder if the art school had accepted him, if he would have even gotten into politics and started this horrible war. I was very disturbed by his stubborness and practically inablity to love. He really had a loving relationship with his mother, but was unable to find that again until he met Eva Braun. Even with Eva, however, he did not show much affection towards he publicly. It creeped me out to read on page 36 that "the audiences at his speeches gave him the emotional satisfaction he might otherwise have sought from a woman." This explains how much he stood for his beliefs and how in love with his idea he was. This book almost made it sound like he had everyone brainwashed. If anyone stood out against him at his speeches, he simply had them removed so the others in the audience would not have that voice in the back of their heads. He always seemed to be friends with the right people. He would weasle his way into government office and then worked and weasled until he moved a little higher until eventually he was in total control. It made me mad to read about how he stopped all the anti-Semitic propaganda just to put on a show for the foreigners for the Olympics so they would not see what was really going on. I also couldn't believe that there were parades in large cities such as New York and Chicago promoting Hitler's ideas. I never thought about the U.S. believing in any of those ideas at all. I didn't realize so many other countries had anti-Semitic feelings...including the USA!!! It almost makes you sick! I also hate hearing that there are still groups supporting Hitler's beliefs. Some of these groups are right here in the U.S. It is important that we learn from the events of the Holocaust and WWII so that we do not let these groups ever come into power like Adolf Hitler. I would recommend this book to be used as research material for students and even to be used in high school classrooms possibly. I think there is a lot that students could learn and take away from the use of a biography such as this one.
November 10, 2010
I give this book a good rating because it is an excellent source for students to use for research. I cannot say that I enjoyed this book, simply because Hitler is a man of great negative accomplishments. However, I did find the information the book provided to be very interesting. I have always been intrigued by learning about the Holocaust. To get insight about the life and death of Hitler is something that I always wanted to learn, but just never took the time to do. The most interesting information I read in this book is about Adolf Hitler’s childhood. I always wondered about his upbringing and if that had any cause in his antics later on in his life.
The beginning of the book states that Hitler’s remains are unknown. “To avoid conflict and controversy, the Russians, who discovered Hitler’s remains at the end of the war, decided to keep their whereabouts a secret.” This I found to be shocking yet interesting. I always wondered if he was had signs of destruction as a child. The book said he had a normal upbringing, yet stated that he was beaten and that, “He was quick to anger form childhood onward and would not listen to anyone. He would get the craziest notions and get away with them.” He had read that a hero could prove his courage by not showing pain. The next time his father beat him he did not express pain, and his father never beat him again. I found it interesting that he had convinced his mother to allow him to drop out of school at the age of sixteen.
The book also stated many experiences and characteristics of Hitler as a member of the military. “He seemed almost too eager to do his duty. When fighting intensified in 1915, he would leap out of his bunk as soon as the English artillery barrage started at dawn.” It explained that he was the first up in the morning to do so with his riffle. This is eerie to me. The book goes on to discuss how he gained his power. Adolf Hitler became an excellent speaker and earned his popularity through his speeches.
All in all, this book is a great source for students researching Adolf Hitler or to provide background information of the main that caused such destruction to a race. I found the information provided to be very interesting and engaging.
The beginning of the book states that Hitler’s remains are unknown. “To avoid conflict and controversy, the Russians, who discovered Hitler’s remains at the end of the war, decided to keep their whereabouts a secret.” This I found to be shocking yet interesting. I always wondered if he was had signs of destruction as a child. The book said he had a normal upbringing, yet stated that he was beaten and that, “He was quick to anger form childhood onward and would not listen to anyone. He would get the craziest notions and get away with them.” He had read that a hero could prove his courage by not showing pain. The next time his father beat him he did not express pain, and his father never beat him again. I found it interesting that he had convinced his mother to allow him to drop out of school at the age of sixteen.
The book also stated many experiences and characteristics of Hitler as a member of the military. “He seemed almost too eager to do his duty. When fighting intensified in 1915, he would leap out of his bunk as soon as the English artillery barrage started at dawn.” It explained that he was the first up in the morning to do so with his riffle. This is eerie to me. The book goes on to discuss how he gained his power. Adolf Hitler became an excellent speaker and earned his popularity through his speeches.
All in all, this book is a great source for students researching Adolf Hitler or to provide background information of the main that caused such destruction to a race. I found the information provided to be very interesting and engaging.
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