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After being seriously wounded in the 1939 Polish campaign, Rochus Misch was invited to join Hitler's SS-bodyguard. There he served until the war s end as Hitler s bodyguard, courier, orderly and finally as Chief of Communications. On the Berghof terrace he watched Eva Braun organize parties; observed Heinrich Himmler and Albert Speer; and monitored telephone conversations from Berlin to the East Prussian FHQ on 20 July 1944 after the attempt on Hitler's life. Towards the end Misch was drawn into the Fuhrerbunker with the last of the faithful . As defeat approached, he remained in charge of the bunker switchboard as his duty required, even after Hitler committed suicide. Misch knew Hitler as the private man and his position was one of unconditional loyalty. His memoirs offer an intimate view of life in close attendance to Hitler and of the endless hours deep inside the bunker; and provide new insights into military events such as Hitler s initial feelings that the 6th Army should pull out of Stalingrad. Shortly before he died Misch wrote a new introduction for this first-ever English-language edition. The book also contains a foreword by the Jewish author Ralph Giordano and a new introduction by Roger Moorhouse.REVIEWS [Misch s] memoir is full of details, asides and digressions, which allow the reader a rare and fascinating insight into the Third Reich s inner sanctum . . . Misch overheard conversations, watched the comings and goings and was a keen observer of events . . . He was as close to being a fly on the wall as one could get. Roger Moorhouse, author Berlin at War . . . convincing first-person testimony (of) the dictator s final desperate months, days and hours. Huffington Post The memoirs of Hitler s bodyguard and unquestioning servant who was one of the last people to see him alive. The Times(UK) Misch glorifies nothing, criticizes nothing and justifies nothing, not even himself. He has a sharp eye for detail, which despite the passage of the years he depicts in a credible manner. Gottinger Tageblatt An insignificant man, who experienced significant events. Neue Zurcher Zeitung"
319 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
275 people are currently reading
1388 people want to read
About the author
Rochus Misch
2 books9 followersFormer officer of the Hitler's private army the LSSAH and from 1940 till 1945 one of Hitler's bodyguards, FHQ secretary and the last witness of the Hitler and Goebbels suicides.
Misch his father died in the first world war before Rochus was born and his mother died when he was three years old. At the age of fifteen he enrolled in a façade painting company as a trainee. Where he completed the training with exellence.
In 1937 he joined the SS-Verfügungstruppe ,which later became the Waffen SS. In 1939 he was badly wounded when a bullet hit his lungs. On recommandation of Wilhelm Mohnke, Misch was assigned in a command of Hitler`s private bodyguards.
After the war Misch was held for nine years in Soviet captivity, where he was exposed to torture and questioning.
He lived until his death in Berlin. Misch was widely reported in the media as being the last surviving former occupant of the Führerbunker when he died in September 2013.
Misch his father died in the first world war before Rochus was born and his mother died when he was three years old. At the age of fifteen he enrolled in a façade painting company as a trainee. Where he completed the training with exellence.
In 1937 he joined the SS-Verfügungstruppe ,which later became the Waffen SS. In 1939 he was badly wounded when a bullet hit his lungs. On recommandation of Wilhelm Mohnke, Misch was assigned in a command of Hitler`s private bodyguards.
After the war Misch was held for nine years in Soviet captivity, where he was exposed to torture and questioning.
He lived until his death in Berlin. Misch was widely reported in the media as being the last surviving former occupant of the Führerbunker when he died in September 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
October 2, 2014
The world changed on the 30th of April 1945, when Hitler chose to take his own life. Most people know this and there have been tons of books written about it. This book, is not another copy of that event.
This is not the portrait of a man of power, nor is it the story of someone famous for knowing someone in power. This is a human story of a simple man, told from his viewpoint, in his own words--words that are both haunting and exciting for anyone interested in the history of war, the Nazis or Hitler.
Rochus Misch was not a Nazi. He never joined the movement. He lived until 2013 and was the last remaining member of the Fuhrerbunker. He was a man who through fate and as a result of a terrifying injury was sent to work closely with Hitler. This book is his story. Some of the events he recounted were surprising, some of them familiar. By his own admission, Hitler was "the boss." He viewed him as simply an ordinary man that he worked for. Along the way, Rochus mentions several times that he was chosen to occupy the position simply because he did not cause trouble.
I found this book incredible. To listen to the actual viewpoint of Mr. Misch, telling his story in his own words rather than those of a third-party biographer was amazing. So many things accepted as fact in history have been recounted differently here.
This is a look inside the walls of a popularly misunderstood compound and at the lives of the men closest to Hitler. The human side of a man we tend to believe was nothing but evil is revealed in the course of this book, making it a very thought-provoking account.
From dealings with Eva Braun, to his duties for Hitler, Rochus Misch has allowed us entry into a world rarely glimpsed. Memories both fond and difficult to relay have been recorded through his writings.
If you are a fan of historical non-fiction, and are curious about the truth behind the stories, do yourself a favour and read this book. I was fascinated from the first page to the last.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
This is not the portrait of a man of power, nor is it the story of someone famous for knowing someone in power. This is a human story of a simple man, told from his viewpoint, in his own words--words that are both haunting and exciting for anyone interested in the history of war, the Nazis or Hitler.
Rochus Misch was not a Nazi. He never joined the movement. He lived until 2013 and was the last remaining member of the Fuhrerbunker. He was a man who through fate and as a result of a terrifying injury was sent to work closely with Hitler. This book is his story. Some of the events he recounted were surprising, some of them familiar. By his own admission, Hitler was "the boss." He viewed him as simply an ordinary man that he worked for. Along the way, Rochus mentions several times that he was chosen to occupy the position simply because he did not cause trouble.
I found this book incredible. To listen to the actual viewpoint of Mr. Misch, telling his story in his own words rather than those of a third-party biographer was amazing. So many things accepted as fact in history have been recounted differently here.
This is a look inside the walls of a popularly misunderstood compound and at the lives of the men closest to Hitler. The human side of a man we tend to believe was nothing but evil is revealed in the course of this book, making it a very thought-provoking account.
From dealings with Eva Braun, to his duties for Hitler, Rochus Misch has allowed us entry into a world rarely glimpsed. Memories both fond and difficult to relay have been recorded through his writings.
If you are a fan of historical non-fiction, and are curious about the truth behind the stories, do yourself a favour and read this book. I was fascinated from the first page to the last.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
October 13, 2014
The view point of someone who saw Hitler close up and away from the public persona.
Rochus Misch became a member of Hitler’s staff and later was in the Fuhrer Bunker when Hitler committed suicide in 1945.
Written in a very simple style, Misch describes his life from his almost accidental enlistment in the SS through to his 8 years in Soviet prison camps
The book doesn’t really cover anything not seen in other books, although I did learn that Hitler was secret bowling fan. There are some interesting pen portraits of Eva Braun and Paula Hitler (Hitler’s sister) but not enough substance to give you any major insight into what made them tick.
I kept getting the feeling that we weren’t hearing everything and as such found the book somewhat disappointing. That being said it does provide a rare 1st person description of the final days of the Reich.
Rochus Misch became a member of Hitler’s staff and later was in the Fuhrer Bunker when Hitler committed suicide in 1945.
Written in a very simple style, Misch describes his life from his almost accidental enlistment in the SS through to his 8 years in Soviet prison camps
The book doesn’t really cover anything not seen in other books, although I did learn that Hitler was secret bowling fan. There are some interesting pen portraits of Eva Braun and Paula Hitler (Hitler’s sister) but not enough substance to give you any major insight into what made them tick.
I kept getting the feeling that we weren’t hearing everything and as such found the book somewhat disappointing. That being said it does provide a rare 1st person description of the final days of the Reich.
July 27, 2024
Mondelinge geschiedenis in volle werking! Rochus Misch deed zijn verhaal op bejaarde leeftijd om het te bewaren voor latere generaties. Klinkt nobel, maar is het dat ook?
In ieder geval krijgt de lezer enkele details te lezen die alleen Misch kon vertellen. Interacties met Hitler laten zien dat de geschiedenis toch om mensen blijft draaien. Hoe slecht hij ook geweest is, je krijgt als lezer wel een beeld van het karakter van Hitler wanneer hij niet voor een mensenmassa spreekt.
Toch zitten er ook serieuze nadelen aan het boek. Misch zegt bijvoorbeeld vaak dat hij zich iets niet meer kan herinneren. Voor een deel zal dit door zijn hoge leeftijd komen op het moment van de interviews en deels is door de regels heen te lezen dat Misch soms wat achter houdt. Het verhaal lijkt wel een bepaalde kant op gestuurd te zijn: Misch wist niks over de misdaden tegen de mensheid en de meeste Duitsers deden gewoon hun werk.
Het is moeilijk te controleren of de journalist - Nicolaas Bourcier - heeft doorgevraagd op bepaalde punten, doordat hij het verhaal zo soepel mogelijk wil laten overkomen en zichzelf weg heeft gecijferd. Dit kan eigenlijk niet. De interviewer heeft invloed op de route van een interview en dat had best beter zichtbaar mogen of moeten zijn.
Kortom, een interessant boekje om binnen korte tijd uit te lezen. De kleine details maken veel goed. Verwacht echter wel dat er soms geen antwoorden gegeven worden op brandende vragen en dat Bourcier verder ook niet echt op zoek lijkt te zijn geweest.
In ieder geval krijgt de lezer enkele details te lezen die alleen Misch kon vertellen. Interacties met Hitler laten zien dat de geschiedenis toch om mensen blijft draaien. Hoe slecht hij ook geweest is, je krijgt als lezer wel een beeld van het karakter van Hitler wanneer hij niet voor een mensenmassa spreekt.
Toch zitten er ook serieuze nadelen aan het boek. Misch zegt bijvoorbeeld vaak dat hij zich iets niet meer kan herinneren. Voor een deel zal dit door zijn hoge leeftijd komen op het moment van de interviews en deels is door de regels heen te lezen dat Misch soms wat achter houdt. Het verhaal lijkt wel een bepaalde kant op gestuurd te zijn: Misch wist niks over de misdaden tegen de mensheid en de meeste Duitsers deden gewoon hun werk.
Het is moeilijk te controleren of de journalist - Nicolaas Bourcier - heeft doorgevraagd op bepaalde punten, doordat hij het verhaal zo soepel mogelijk wil laten overkomen en zichzelf weg heeft gecijferd. Dit kan eigenlijk niet. De interviewer heeft invloed op de route van een interview en dat had best beter zichtbaar mogen of moeten zijn.
Kortom, een interessant boekje om binnen korte tijd uit te lezen. De kleine details maken veel goed. Verwacht echter wel dat er soms geen antwoorden gegeven worden op brandende vragen en dat Bourcier verder ook niet echt op zoek lijkt te zijn geweest.
October 11, 2020
A very interesting look into Hitler the man and someone most of the world has tried to demonize. I learned a lot and enjoyed the book very much.
May 23, 2025
The description of Hitler presented by his support staff is far different from that of popular opinion. The author goes on to experience 9 years as a POW in the Soviet prison system. He then eventually settles back into civilian life although the "denazification" policy of the victors essentially turned his daughter against him, she was two when the war ended and didn't see him again until 9 years later. His wife succumbs to Alzheimer's and he settles into being old.
September 27, 2014
I received a copy of Hitler's Last Witness from NetGalley. In exchange, I offer this, my fair and honest review.
Few people had ready access to the Fuhrer, Adolph Hitler. Few who did lived to tell stories of the man and his actions from the inside. Rochus Misch, a member of Hitler’s staff and later, in charge of the telephones where Hitler stayed from time to time, was the last surviving member of this small group.
Misch tells his story of how he came to his position. He insists throughout that he knew nothing, and heard nothing, of the millions of deaths in the concentration camps while serving Hitler. Indeed, he writes that he only ever saw one report on the camps, and that from an International Red Cross report that “contained nothing disturbing.” At the outset, I found this idea . . . highly difficult to believe. Yet, when I read Misch’s story, I found he was able to reiterate the smallest of details of Hitler’s daily life and moves, yet he seemed rather uninterested in larger affairs. His concerns were simply to “do his job” for the Third Reich, and not to cross any lines that might get him in trouble as he had seen others do, only to find themselves on the front line—or killed. He barely noticed when a colleague “went away” (which meant he went to a concentration camp or was sent to the front). One example was of a guard who, failing to keep a mosquito from Hitler, was sent packing. For his part, Misch stuck to the rules. He wouldn’t even dance with Eva Braun when Hitler was away and she threw a spontaneous party, because “she was the Fuhrer’s girl.”
It was the little details of Germany before and during WWII, of the lives of Hitler and his associates that I found most intriguing in this read. I noted Misch’s descriptions of the places where they stayed, of the people and personalities of Hitler and his associates, and the “rules” the staff followed so as not to bother “the boss” (such as not to wear boots that made “deep impressions on the thick carpet”). (Really?)
Risch met Hitler’s siblings (and half-siblings), Eva Braun, and so many others. He tells of how Hitler and Eva Braun acted publicly (that he never saw any intimacies between them, nor did his colleagues) and of their last hours together when the two were married. Does it matter to anyone that Hitler knew all his staff on sight and by name, or that he had a “first-class” memory, or that he rarely showed anger? Does it matter that he knew who would attend a dinner? That he never carried a weapon or that those who surrounded him often did—and that it seems he had no fear of that? Does it matter that Misch never saw Hitler laugh out loud? That the Fuhrer had a favorite dog—Blondie—who performed tricks for him? That he joked about always being the last to know anything that was going on around him? That he had poor vision, but did not want others to know because he thought it showed weakness? Does it matter that we know the type of car Hitler preferred to ride in? Or that he liked to bowl or to watch films? Perhaps not. From an historical perspective, Hitler is a monster. But Misch’s account does show that even monstrous people are—people. This “humanizing “ does not make Hitler a sympathetic character, but it does show me what people can be capable of doing.
Also posted at www.Oathtaker.com, on Booklikes and Amazon, added to Facebook and tweeted.
Few people had ready access to the Fuhrer, Adolph Hitler. Few who did lived to tell stories of the man and his actions from the inside. Rochus Misch, a member of Hitler’s staff and later, in charge of the telephones where Hitler stayed from time to time, was the last surviving member of this small group.
Misch tells his story of how he came to his position. He insists throughout that he knew nothing, and heard nothing, of the millions of deaths in the concentration camps while serving Hitler. Indeed, he writes that he only ever saw one report on the camps, and that from an International Red Cross report that “contained nothing disturbing.” At the outset, I found this idea . . . highly difficult to believe. Yet, when I read Misch’s story, I found he was able to reiterate the smallest of details of Hitler’s daily life and moves, yet he seemed rather uninterested in larger affairs. His concerns were simply to “do his job” for the Third Reich, and not to cross any lines that might get him in trouble as he had seen others do, only to find themselves on the front line—or killed. He barely noticed when a colleague “went away” (which meant he went to a concentration camp or was sent to the front). One example was of a guard who, failing to keep a mosquito from Hitler, was sent packing. For his part, Misch stuck to the rules. He wouldn’t even dance with Eva Braun when Hitler was away and she threw a spontaneous party, because “she was the Fuhrer’s girl.”
It was the little details of Germany before and during WWII, of the lives of Hitler and his associates that I found most intriguing in this read. I noted Misch’s descriptions of the places where they stayed, of the people and personalities of Hitler and his associates, and the “rules” the staff followed so as not to bother “the boss” (such as not to wear boots that made “deep impressions on the thick carpet”). (Really?)
Risch met Hitler’s siblings (and half-siblings), Eva Braun, and so many others. He tells of how Hitler and Eva Braun acted publicly (that he never saw any intimacies between them, nor did his colleagues) and of their last hours together when the two were married. Does it matter to anyone that Hitler knew all his staff on sight and by name, or that he had a “first-class” memory, or that he rarely showed anger? Does it matter that he knew who would attend a dinner? That he never carried a weapon or that those who surrounded him often did—and that it seems he had no fear of that? Does it matter that Misch never saw Hitler laugh out loud? That the Fuhrer had a favorite dog—Blondie—who performed tricks for him? That he joked about always being the last to know anything that was going on around him? That he had poor vision, but did not want others to know because he thought it showed weakness? Does it matter that we know the type of car Hitler preferred to ride in? Or that he liked to bowl or to watch films? Perhaps not. From an historical perspective, Hitler is a monster. But Misch’s account does show that even monstrous people are—people. This “humanizing “ does not make Hitler a sympathetic character, but it does show me what people can be capable of doing.
Also posted at www.Oathtaker.com, on Booklikes and Amazon, added to Facebook and tweeted.
October 4, 2015
A fascinating account of Hitler seen up close. Rochus Misch seems a reliable, straightforward narrator, but it's clear he (like many) only saw the side of Der Fuehrer that Hitler wanted him to see. Misch was a simple person, therefore he tended to see Hitler as simple, which is obviously inaccurate. Misch's book is a good read, with pathos, historical and personal anecdotes, and much tension, if not much humor. Many footnotes.
When reading Axis memoirs, it's helpful to realize that for every "fact" about Hitler, you can find its alleged refutation somewhere else. At least some of those rumors originated with Hitler, himself.
One example of Misch's blind spot: He states that Hitler never carried a gun. But he also notes that Hitler's cloth trouser pockets had all been replaced with leather. Innocent Misch wasn't able to put two and two together and realize that Hitler was secretly carrying his small revolver most of the time, which we know from other writers. It's clear that Misch was hired because he was an innocent; his book says as much. Otherwise, I found Hitler's Last Witness fairly reliable, a good source, with personality.
This is the best 99¢ ebook I've read, so far.
When reading Axis memoirs, it's helpful to realize that for every "fact" about Hitler, you can find its alleged refutation somewhere else. At least some of those rumors originated with Hitler, himself.
One example of Misch's blind spot: He states that Hitler never carried a gun. But he also notes that Hitler's cloth trouser pockets had all been replaced with leather. Innocent Misch wasn't able to put two and two together and realize that Hitler was secretly carrying his small revolver most of the time, which we know from other writers. It's clear that Misch was hired because he was an innocent; his book says as much. Otherwise, I found Hitler's Last Witness fairly reliable, a good source, with personality.
This is the best 99¢ ebook I've read, so far.
January 19, 2016
Rochus Misch was not your regular Nazi. In fact he said he never joined the party which I find hard to believe as was not only one of Hitler's personal guards, he was a member of the SS. I feel he was rather naïve or a liar as he swears he knew nothing of the holocaust until after the war and he seemed to see only the nice side of Hitler. However I found the book quite interesting and full of interesting facts about Hitler's private life. He was in the Fueherbunker at the time of Hitler's death and stated he saw the dead body. Which is interesting as I have been watching History Channel series called "Hunting Hitler" and it is about the possibility that Hitler did not die in the bunker. All in all I found it worth reading.
April 23, 2021
Misch schreibt nicht lange um den heißen Brei. Es steht wirklich nur alles da was für den Leser „relevant“ ist oder eben interessant sein könnte. Hatte schon öfter Bücher wo der Autor/Zeitzeuge zu viel unnötiges mit in das Buch geschrieben hat - was eben für Langeweile beim lesen gesorgt hat. Dies ist hier auf keinen Fall der Fall. Er hält alles kurz und knapp, was positiv ist.
Es gefiel mir ganz gut, dass Misch neutral schreibt. Er verherrlicht nichts & rechtfertigt nichts. Zudem hatte ich beim lesen zu keinem Zeitpunkt das Gefühl, dass Misch mich als Leser um Verständnis oder Mitleid bittet, für das was er getan bzw. Erlebt hat.
Viele Bücher anderer Zeitzeugen, die ich schon gelesen habe erweckten in mir nämlich diesen Eindruck.
Ein sehr interessantes Buch.
Es gefiel mir ganz gut, dass Misch neutral schreibt. Er verherrlicht nichts & rechtfertigt nichts. Zudem hatte ich beim lesen zu keinem Zeitpunkt das Gefühl, dass Misch mich als Leser um Verständnis oder Mitleid bittet, für das was er getan bzw. Erlebt hat.
Viele Bücher anderer Zeitzeugen, die ich schon gelesen habe erweckten in mir nämlich diesen Eindruck.
Ein sehr interessantes Buch.
August 3, 2020
Невероятная книга. Многие вещи, рассказанные автором, в корне переворачивают и опрокидывают советскую и западную пропаганду.
January 16, 2021
Régóta szerettem volna a birtokomban tudni ezt a könyvet is, szerencsére ajándékba kaptam az árát karácsonykor, így némi vacillálódás után megvettem. Nem voltak benne felesleges mondatok, nem hiába ragadott ennyire magával. Mintha végig ott álltam volna mellette, a lengyel fronttól kezdve egészen az NKVD-s kínzásokig. Tetszettek benne a képek is, sok olyan volt, amit eddig még nem láttam. Kalandos élete volt, aminek a könyv által magam is részese lehettem.
July 26, 2021
الكتاب نوعاً ما جيد واستمتعت فيه... لكن يعيبه أن الترجمة غير مناسبة للقارئ العربي، فالمترجم لم يراعي ان القارئ يتحدث العربية... فبعض المعلومات والمواضيع مفهومة للألمان فقط... أما المترجم لم يوضح أي شيء
October 23, 2014
This memoir published by Frontline Books is one of a series of titles by people who worked closely with Hitler. The others include a secretary, a pilot, a photographer and a childhood friend whose memoirs document their observations and impressions of one of the most infamous villains in history. I received an Advance Reading Copy (ARC) in exchange for writing a review. Misch, who died in 2013, never joined the NAZI party and in some ways seems an unlikely candidate for Hitler's bodyguard. Yet that is what he became after recovering from wounds suffered in combat. He wanted no more of war after his experience at the front lines and felt he would be safer with Hitler. He was correct about that and knew enough to be careful and not in any way offend his "boss" as he referred to him. As a child, Misch lost both of his parents and a brother by the time he was five years old. Though he was brought up by other family members, he became a bit of a loner. This may account for his somewhat detached view of the events in his life. For Misch working for Hitler helped him maintain a comfortable life for his wife, daughter, in-laws and himself during the dark days of World War II. While he witnesses the daily lives of Hitler and the others central to his life, he seems to be in the dark about what was going on away from the Reich Chancellory where he worked. He thought Hitler was a nice boss who was never angry and who treated him well. While he declared that he knew nothing about the plight of the Jews and others, he knew of the concentration camps but believed them to be work camps. He maintained that even though he worked in close proximity to Hitler, he was, nonetheless, cut off from outside events. Estranged from her father after the war, Brigitte Misch, who believed that ancestors on her mother's side were Jewish, worked as an architect on the restoration of synagogues. Interestingly, Misch did admit to listening to the forbidden BBC when on leave from his job. I did not find much new in his book, but it is well-written and does give some insight into Hitler's character. One thing I do not recall having read before is that Hitler could not believe that the British were not fighting along with the Germans to defeat the Soviet Communists. Misch served nine years in Soviet prison camps before returning to and reuniting with his family. His life was relatively uneventful after the war. Though he bemoaned that he had missed so much of his daughter's life and never got over the horrible fate of Goebbels' children, he would not accept the fact of the Holocaust.
May 8, 2018
I feel this could have been so much better. It's quite apparent Misch withheld much. Sure, we get to hear about what it was like to be at the Berghof with the gang, Goebells (liked), Speer (strange), Eva (sweet), and all the rest, as well as time at the Reich Chancellery, and the infamous bunker experience at the end of Hitler's days. But he completely omits major historical events, and opinions. He tells of his brief time in combat, the invasion of Poland, but he doesn't tell us what he though about Germany invading Poland. Neither does he speak of the invasion of France, Russian, or anywhere else. He doesn't even talk about the D-Day invasion in any strong fashion. Yet he takes time to tell us what happened on June 5, 1944, the day before D-day (post-wedding celebration). He gives scant time to go over the holocaust, only says he never knew anything about it during his service. He seems more upset at Stauffenberg's assassination attempt on Hitler than anything else. Maybe he wanted to withhold as much emotion as he could in his memoir, and take a more journalistic approach (just the facts), but comes off as too cold. It's still a valuable historical book, it just lacks any revelation, or emotional depth.
August 22, 2022
Why did I read this book? I have always had difficulty reconciling the Germans who contributed so much to music, literature, science and medicine with the Germans who committed the horrors of the second world war. Misch was Hitler's bodyguard and telephone operator. He knew the man personally. But his book gives us no insights into what triggered a nation to commit such crimes against humanity. He is complacent, almost smug in his narrative of the war. There is absolutely no sense of guilt or remorse, and maybe that tells us something of the people who supported the Nazis. So for me, this book was a disappointment.
March 26, 2009
This was my first biography and it certainly won't be the last.
In a vivid way, Rochus Misch explains how everything happened around him and gives you the feeling that in his place, you wouldn't have acted any different. Truly an amazing man and a gripping story of his life has finally been published.
In a vivid way, Rochus Misch explains how everything happened around him and gives you the feeling that in his place, you wouldn't have acted any different. Truly an amazing man and a gripping story of his life has finally been published.
January 30, 2023
لكي أكون صريحة؛ لم أستمتع بالكتاب فوجدته كثير الأسماء والتواريخ التي لا أكترث كثيراً بمعرفتها وفي نفس الوقت وجدته خالياً من المشاعر، ربما بدأت بالاستمتاع بآخر ١٠٠ صفحة فقط لأن مشاعر الخوف في آخر أيام النظام كانت رهيبة والكتاب أظهر بعضها، ولكن بشكل عام كان من الممكن أن يكون الكتاب أفضل بكثير وخاصةً بأن روخوس ميش لم يكن مجرد جندي وحسب بل تواجد بالأيام السوداوية الأخيرة وشهد انتحار هتلر وجوزيف غوبلز وغيرهم الكثيرين من مجرمي الحرب
April 19, 2017
Ich bin zunächst sehr skeptisch gewesen. Misch prahlt nicht mit "Insider-Wissen", er stellt sich nie heraus. Er ist nüchtern, distanziert in seiner Erinnerung. Er schildert sich als unpolitisch und erscheint sehr naiv. Dennoch, was auch immer er sich durch seine Funktion als Leibwächter und Telefonist von Hitler hat zuschulden kommen lassen - er hat dafür mehr als genug gebüßt.
November 19, 2018
Heel goed boek geschreven door de lijfwacht van Hitler. Het laat de dagelijkse belevingen van de lijfwacht en daardoor ook van Hitler zien. Het onthult wel niet het grote vraagstuk was Hitler op de hoogte van de genocide of niet. De schrijver in ieder geval niet. Het tekend een duidelijk beeld hoe een gewone jongen op groeit tot soldaat die de orders op volgt.
February 21, 2018
A compelling account of wilful ignorance and self-denial.
June 28, 2019
In the final line of his memoir, Rochus Misch wrote, "I had no choice but to become a soldier."
This comes after he refers to war as the "worst thing men do to each other."
I am more interested in knowing if the author felt he had a choice to join the SS and become Adolf Hitler's bodyguard right up until "the boss" committed suicide in the Furherbunker.
"Choice" is complex AF. Misch never hits the complexity head-on. Or maybe he does by way of sheer simplicity. Rochus Misch comes off a young man who meant well, did what he was told, and never asked any questions. He wasn't alone and still isn't. Who wants to ask too many questions?
I have read three memoirs written by people who knew Adolf Hitler and am about to read a couple more. Heinz Linge's is my favorite so far. As a writer, Rochus Misch comes off as well meaning and simple as I imagine he came off in person. (The footnotes in this book bothered the fuck out of me. At some point I became tired of third-party intrusions. Yes. I understand I am reading a memoir written by one person with a particular perspective. Let me read what this person has to say.)
One of my favorite moments in this book was when Misch notes how old Berlin dies in flames and the new one is reborn in music, guitars to be exact. Likewise, I found the author's fondness for Eva Braun unexpected and even touching. He admired her zest for life and "respected" her optimistic spirit. Misch writes that of all the people who committed suicide in the bunker, Eva Braun was the most "noble." Apparently, she went into death with her lover without resentment or remorse.
Sidenote: other writers etc., have described Eva Braun as everything from shallow to superficial to simplistic to silly to childlike to stupid to desperate and depressed to a "dumb twit."
I am still wrestling with Misch's observation about Adolf Hitler's aversion to human suffering. Apparently, Hitler could not bare to confront anything gruesome or cruel directly. This be true, how the hell do you start a war? Moreover, how do you green light concentration camps?
I have read elsewhere that Adolf Hitler never set foot in a concentration camp, never saw one. This be true, paired with Misch's claim about his aversion to human suffering, is it possible someone should have forced his ass to a concentration camp? Just wondering. What if Adolf Hitler had confronted the cruelty and suffering directly? Someone here is delusional. Misch? Hitler? Both?
They say shit trickles down from the top. So might delusion.
XO
Addendum (added 06/28/19) In answer to my own question, did Misch have a choice in regards to joining the SS then becoming Adolf Hitler's bodyguard, I will ask another question.
Did young American men have a choice to join the military then fight in Vietnam?
Choice is complicated given countries at war and governments drafting young men.
Tim O' Brien addresses the complicity of choice given those circumstances in his book, The Things They Carried, with so much such eloquence and honesty, it hurts. O' Brien did not want to go to war. He did not want to dodge the draft either. Ultimately, O' Brien confesses he decided to go to war because that was the less courageous thing to do. Dodging was more courageous.
When Misch says, "I had no choice but to become a soldier," he confronted a similar complexity without addressing it head-on the way O'Brien did, but he faced the same choice, and once Misch enlisted, he like the rest of his country's military, took an oath to serve Adolf Hitler. XO.
This comes after he refers to war as the "worst thing men do to each other."
I am more interested in knowing if the author felt he had a choice to join the SS and become Adolf Hitler's bodyguard right up until "the boss" committed suicide in the Furherbunker.
"Choice" is complex AF. Misch never hits the complexity head-on. Or maybe he does by way of sheer simplicity. Rochus Misch comes off a young man who meant well, did what he was told, and never asked any questions. He wasn't alone and still isn't. Who wants to ask too many questions?
I have read three memoirs written by people who knew Adolf Hitler and am about to read a couple more. Heinz Linge's is my favorite so far. As a writer, Rochus Misch comes off as well meaning and simple as I imagine he came off in person. (The footnotes in this book bothered the fuck out of me. At some point I became tired of third-party intrusions. Yes. I understand I am reading a memoir written by one person with a particular perspective. Let me read what this person has to say.)
One of my favorite moments in this book was when Misch notes how old Berlin dies in flames and the new one is reborn in music, guitars to be exact. Likewise, I found the author's fondness for Eva Braun unexpected and even touching. He admired her zest for life and "respected" her optimistic spirit. Misch writes that of all the people who committed suicide in the bunker, Eva Braun was the most "noble." Apparently, she went into death with her lover without resentment or remorse.
Sidenote: other writers etc., have described Eva Braun as everything from shallow to superficial to simplistic to silly to childlike to stupid to desperate and depressed to a "dumb twit."
I am still wrestling with Misch's observation about Adolf Hitler's aversion to human suffering. Apparently, Hitler could not bare to confront anything gruesome or cruel directly. This be true, how the hell do you start a war? Moreover, how do you green light concentration camps?
I have read elsewhere that Adolf Hitler never set foot in a concentration camp, never saw one. This be true, paired with Misch's claim about his aversion to human suffering, is it possible someone should have forced his ass to a concentration camp? Just wondering. What if Adolf Hitler had confronted the cruelty and suffering directly? Someone here is delusional. Misch? Hitler? Both?
They say shit trickles down from the top. So might delusion.
XO
Addendum (added 06/28/19) In answer to my own question, did Misch have a choice in regards to joining the SS then becoming Adolf Hitler's bodyguard, I will ask another question.
Did young American men have a choice to join the military then fight in Vietnam?
Choice is complicated given countries at war and governments drafting young men.
Tim O' Brien addresses the complicity of choice given those circumstances in his book, The Things They Carried, with so much such eloquence and honesty, it hurts. O' Brien did not want to go to war. He did not want to dodge the draft either. Ultimately, O' Brien confesses he decided to go to war because that was the less courageous thing to do. Dodging was more courageous.
When Misch says, "I had no choice but to become a soldier," he confronted a similar complexity without addressing it head-on the way O'Brien did, but he faced the same choice, and once Misch enlisted, he like the rest of his country's military, took an oath to serve Adolf Hitler. XO.
January 21, 2015
NetGalley sent me a copy of this book to my pc. I couldn't get it to open before it was archived. Then I saw it for sale at $9.99. I leaped on it. Who wouldn't want to know the last actions and thoughts of the world's most notorious villain? I sure am sorry now!
This book was about ROCHUS MISCH, not Hitler. Let's get that straight from the beginning. I am so unclear as to when he wrote it? Was it long enough where his memories start to become what detectives call misleading, where reality merges with things you thought you seen or heard?
Here you have a big ole boy who grew up on a farm, where kids were still expected to be seen and not heard. And, if your pa[w] tells you to do something, you don't give any backlip or he may take the strap to you. My German Grandmother's family used to farm in that very area... we heard so many stories of her grandparents coming here (in the late 1880's) and how awful she felt her home life was.
So here is the conundrum. He really had to be zoned out and an idiot (no one upstairs) OR else he was very brilliant and knew not to give away anything that may be used against him. In any case, he is constantly saying what he did, where he went, etc. I'm having a very hard time believing that he was so close to Hitler (in proximity, maybe). Hitler trusted him because he acted like Lurch of the Adams Family. He kept saying he knew nothing nor heard anything. Wasn't that what the gangsters in the movies used to say every time they got arrested?
Was he or wasn't he close, as he claims to be, to Hitler? He manned the telephones in the Wolf's Den. At the very least, he had to know who was calling if not listening in to the conversation. I get that he couldn't watch CNN, so he more than likely did not KNOW the rolls of the other men. EXCEPT, they all would meet in the conference room to plan their next moves. He would stand back against the wall, not making eye contact with any of them? He had ears. Didn't he overhear anything?
For me, this book was a publicity stunt to make himself look good in the eyes of the German people. The book was a dud: a firecracker that people are so excited about, then after it is lit, it just fizzles into nothingness.
If he has no memory of the important details, then what is the point of this book? Hitler liked to keep his bedroom closed, he ate with his left hand, he didn't like to dance..... I am just saying things to capture my meaning. Yet, he couldn't divulge important information? Something's rotten in the hen house, Jethrow This was a farm boy's memoir about being seen and not heard. There has to be a better book than this out there..
This book was about ROCHUS MISCH, not Hitler. Let's get that straight from the beginning. I am so unclear as to when he wrote it? Was it long enough where his memories start to become what detectives call misleading, where reality merges with things you thought you seen or heard?
Here you have a big ole boy who grew up on a farm, where kids were still expected to be seen and not heard. And, if your pa[w] tells you to do something, you don't give any backlip or he may take the strap to you. My German Grandmother's family used to farm in that very area... we heard so many stories of her grandparents coming here (in the late 1880's) and how awful she felt her home life was.
So here is the conundrum. He really had to be zoned out and an idiot (no one upstairs) OR else he was very brilliant and knew not to give away anything that may be used against him. In any case, he is constantly saying what he did, where he went, etc. I'm having a very hard time believing that he was so close to Hitler (in proximity, maybe). Hitler trusted him because he acted like Lurch of the Adams Family. He kept saying he knew nothing nor heard anything. Wasn't that what the gangsters in the movies used to say every time they got arrested?
Was he or wasn't he close, as he claims to be, to Hitler? He manned the telephones in the Wolf's Den. At the very least, he had to know who was calling if not listening in to the conversation. I get that he couldn't watch CNN, so he more than likely did not KNOW the rolls of the other men. EXCEPT, they all would meet in the conference room to plan their next moves. He would stand back against the wall, not making eye contact with any of them? He had ears. Didn't he overhear anything?
For me, this book was a publicity stunt to make himself look good in the eyes of the German people. The book was a dud: a firecracker that people are so excited about, then after it is lit, it just fizzles into nothingness.
If he has no memory of the important details, then what is the point of this book? Hitler liked to keep his bedroom closed, he ate with his left hand, he didn't like to dance..... I am just saying things to capture my meaning. Yet, he couldn't divulge important information? Something's rotten in the hen house, Jethrow This was a farm boy's memoir about being seen and not heard. There has to be a better book than this out there..
March 25, 2021
My review is quite long, so you can find the rest of it here
The writing is simple, but that makes it easy to follow. The structure of the book I found to be quite impressive, Misch must have had some really top notch editors. He goes through his early and personal life very quickly, and it only takes 30 something pages to enter Hitler’s inner circle. Misch talks about his every day life in that entourage and his encounters and relation with the Fuhrer, with the experiences at Berghof (where they spent a lot of time) being particularly interesting. He has quite a lot of first and second hand information about Rudolf Hess’s flight to Scotland as well.
All throughout the book you will have the chance to see photographs involving Third Reich figures from the author’s personal archive, something which I feel adds a lot of value to the manuscript.
Readers will surely be most interested in Misch’s experience with Hitler in the Fuhrerbunker – and indeed that part delivers in a big way. It is short (roughly 40 pages), but riveting, and will likely not disappoint even the highest expectations. The book ends with his escape from the Bunker, his capture, Soviet captivity and return home.
Some will question Misch’s claim that he was not aware of the Holocaust. This is always a topic of debate, and it is up to you to decide. Personally, I believe him, for two reasons. First, he seemed quite unapologetic in the book and did not leave me feeling like he was the kind of man to hide something, especially at his advanced age, when he had little to risk or gain. Secondly, based on everything I have read about this War, I do not believe that the atrocities of the Holocaust were talked about openly for every secretary or bodyguard to know, and documents were not flying around offices. In my opinion, that information was available to a select few – and even fewer knew the whole picture. It is an informed opinion. I can not know for sure.
The writing is simple, but that makes it easy to follow. The structure of the book I found to be quite impressive, Misch must have had some really top notch editors. He goes through his early and personal life very quickly, and it only takes 30 something pages to enter Hitler’s inner circle. Misch talks about his every day life in that entourage and his encounters and relation with the Fuhrer, with the experiences at Berghof (where they spent a lot of time) being particularly interesting. He has quite a lot of first and second hand information about Rudolf Hess’s flight to Scotland as well.
All throughout the book you will have the chance to see photographs involving Third Reich figures from the author’s personal archive, something which I feel adds a lot of value to the manuscript.
Readers will surely be most interested in Misch’s experience with Hitler in the Fuhrerbunker – and indeed that part delivers in a big way. It is short (roughly 40 pages), but riveting, and will likely not disappoint even the highest expectations. The book ends with his escape from the Bunker, his capture, Soviet captivity and return home.
Some will question Misch’s claim that he was not aware of the Holocaust. This is always a topic of debate, and it is up to you to decide. Personally, I believe him, for two reasons. First, he seemed quite unapologetic in the book and did not leave me feeling like he was the kind of man to hide something, especially at his advanced age, when he had little to risk or gain. Secondly, based on everything I have read about this War, I do not believe that the atrocities of the Holocaust were talked about openly for every secretary or bodyguard to know, and documents were not flying around offices. In my opinion, that information was available to a select few – and even fewer knew the whole picture. It is an informed opinion. I can not know for sure.
December 24, 2015
I was somewhat disappointed with this book. It wasn't a bad book. But it wasn't nearly as interesting as I hoped it would be or as it might have been. The author was one of Adolph Hitler's bodyguards who served up through Hitler's death and was one of the first to see Hitler and Eva Braun's dead bodies after they committed suicide, then spent several years as a prisoner of war in Russia.
The author recounts details of the war and Hitler in an almost robotic or mechanical fashion. He seems to have no sense of awareness of the larger picture. I can understand this while he was actually going through this, but you would think over time he would have gained the larger perspective and could have used this larger perspective when looking back and recounting his past. But he seems to be unwilling to do so. Maybe this is his way of dealing with the guilt of the atrocities of Hitler and Nazi Germany. He claims to have had no knowledge of concentration camps and the mass annihilation of the Jews. In one sentence, he almost seems to be a Holocaust denier. I don't remember the exact phrasing of the sentence but he wonders about how something so massive could have remained hidden, and one could infer that he was contending the Holocaust did not happen. I don't know if that's what he meant. It was just one sentence.
The book is not very interesting and even though this man was a close witness to world history unfolding before his eyes, if you had no knowledge of World War II you really wouldn't have any understanding of what was going on. I was hoping for more. The introduction to the book does warn of this. I do not regret reading the book but I hoped for much more than I received and I do believe the author did the world (and himself) a disservice by not being more thoughtful and reflective of his role in major world events.
The author recounts details of the war and Hitler in an almost robotic or mechanical fashion. He seems to have no sense of awareness of the larger picture. I can understand this while he was actually going through this, but you would think over time he would have gained the larger perspective and could have used this larger perspective when looking back and recounting his past. But he seems to be unwilling to do so. Maybe this is his way of dealing with the guilt of the atrocities of Hitler and Nazi Germany. He claims to have had no knowledge of concentration camps and the mass annihilation of the Jews. In one sentence, he almost seems to be a Holocaust denier. I don't remember the exact phrasing of the sentence but he wonders about how something so massive could have remained hidden, and one could infer that he was contending the Holocaust did not happen. I don't know if that's what he meant. It was just one sentence.
The book is not very interesting and even though this man was a close witness to world history unfolding before his eyes, if you had no knowledge of World War II you really wouldn't have any understanding of what was going on. I was hoping for more. The introduction to the book does warn of this. I do not regret reading the book but I hoped for much more than I received and I do believe the author did the world (and himself) a disservice by not being more thoughtful and reflective of his role in major world events.
October 20, 2014
I'm torn about this one.
It was somewhat interesting to read, but the author is so detached, that he could be writing fiction.
There is absolutely no insight into Hitler or his inner circle, it's strictly an auto-biography of Hitler's bodyguard and telephone operator. I'm glad I took the time to read the preface. It explains some of the issues I had with this book.
It's hard to imagine that someone is so detached from their own life, as well as either incredibly stupid, or just super naive. But....I know Germans, so I believe he was just doing what he was told, minded his own business, and never questioned or thought to pry.
Still, leaves the reader without any new insights, or even any new impressions. For someone who saw "the boss" daily for 5 years I thought there would be a little bit more, actually, a whole lot more.
It was somewhat interesting to read, but the author is so detached, that he could be writing fiction.
There is absolutely no insight into Hitler or his inner circle, it's strictly an auto-biography of Hitler's bodyguard and telephone operator. I'm glad I took the time to read the preface. It explains some of the issues I had with this book.
It's hard to imagine that someone is so detached from their own life, as well as either incredibly stupid, or just super naive. But....I know Germans, so I believe he was just doing what he was told, minded his own business, and never questioned or thought to pry.
Still, leaves the reader without any new insights, or even any new impressions. For someone who saw "the boss" daily for 5 years I thought there would be a little bit more, actually, a whole lot more.
June 7, 2015
A worthwhile book if you are interested in WW2 or German history. Misch comes across as a likeable fellow and it's written in a readable style. The last third (or so) of this book - the last days in the bunker, his escape and capture by the Russians, and the torture the Russians put him through for years - is a really hard period for him, but he never expects pity he just toughs it out and seems thankful just to be alive. Misch did little wrong all war, he became a soldier and fought for his country then took a non-combative government job on offer. Yet the Russians thought he (and others like him) were the devil himself and treated him as such. Anyone sitting in their comfortable, peaceful, middle class life and feeling depressed for no good reason would do well to read the last third of this book then see whether or not they have it pretty good!
April 19, 2017
Memoirs?
I don't think I learned anymore than I already know. He was Hitler's bodyguard, or one of them. He seemed quite boring to me. He never knew about the concentration camps, he never specifically heard anything about Hitler's plans or how's the war was going...okayyy...if so, he had to have been one of the most non observant people I've ever read about. Maybe this was his way of living thru this obnoxious time in history.
The book was okay to read. He had plenty to eat, a job, a warm place to sleep, he didn't lose much in this time of war. It's just baffling that he knew nothing about Jewish persecution when he was constantly around Goebbels, Himmler, and the rest of the motley crew. Oh well, he had to answer transgressions soon enough. You think God had mercy on his soul? 😢
I don't think I learned anymore than I already know. He was Hitler's bodyguard, or one of them. He seemed quite boring to me. He never knew about the concentration camps, he never specifically heard anything about Hitler's plans or how's the war was going...okayyy...if so, he had to have been one of the most non observant people I've ever read about. Maybe this was his way of living thru this obnoxious time in history.
The book was okay to read. He had plenty to eat, a job, a warm place to sleep, he didn't lose much in this time of war. It's just baffling that he knew nothing about Jewish persecution when he was constantly around Goebbels, Himmler, and the rest of the motley crew. Oh well, he had to answer transgressions soon enough. You think God had mercy on his soul? 😢
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March 18, 2018Rochus Misch: fulgido esempio di esecutore di ordini del regime nazista. E' proprio vero che quando una cosa è troppo vicina se ne perdono i contorni e a volte il senso: Misch visse anni al fianco di Hitler e non seppe mai quanto egli fosse 'mostro'. Ricevette degli ordini e li eseguì, questo fu. Questo dissero tutti al processo di Norimberga, anche di fronte alla visione delle pellicole girate nei lager. Questo dovremmo credere noi. Credere ad un tipo di persona che non pensa, non si fa domande, non ha dubbi: il miglior tipo di soldato, il peggior tipo di uomo, quello che applaude e osanna un tizio su un palco, bevendosi spot preconfezionati ad arte e propaganda come verità.
E' un libro a volte noioso, certo, come noioso è il protagonista; a volte ingenuo come lui, ma utile certamente per la visione d'insieme della Storia.
E' un libro a volte noioso, certo, come noioso è il protagonista; a volte ingenuo come lui, ma utile certamente per la visione d'insieme della Storia.
March 25, 2023
Like a number of prominent Germans who served in the war, Misch always denied that he knew about the horrors of the concentration camps. I don't think this is true as he worked alongside high profile Nazi politicians.
The book was interesting but contained a lot of gaps. The text rushed through his childhood and contained selective memories.
The text was simple to read. There was no criticism of Hitler and he denied knowing of the mass extermination of the Jews. There was more criticism aimed at Russia and the treatment of POWs and Jewish POWs.
A book that everyone should read but best to read with caution.
The book was interesting but contained a lot of gaps. The text rushed through his childhood and contained selective memories.
The text was simple to read. There was no criticism of Hitler and he denied knowing of the mass extermination of the Jews. There was more criticism aimed at Russia and the treatment of POWs and Jewish POWs.
A book that everyone should read but best to read with caution.
November 8, 2016
An interesting read from a factual witness, who if his testimony is to be believed, describes Hitler as a good boss. Gave his staff; time-off when they needed it, wedding presents when they married, and showed films in the evening at which the staff were present.
And this witness although in the SS for over 7 years and physically close to Hitler heard nothing of the atrocities of the concentration camps till after the war.
What, who does one believe?
And this witness although in the SS for over 7 years and physically close to Hitler heard nothing of the atrocities of the concentration camps till after the war.
What, who does one believe?
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