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The Death of Hitler: The Final Word
On April 30, 1945, Hitler committed suicide in his bunker as the Red Army closed in on Berlin. Within four days the Soviets had recovered his body. But the truth about what the Russian secret services found was hidden from history, when, three months later, Stalin officially declared to Truman and Churchill that Hitler was still alive and had escaped abroad. Reckless rumors about what really happened to Hitler began to spread like wildfire and, even today, they have not been put to rest. Until now.
In 2017, after two years of painstaking negotiations with the Russian authorities, award-winning investigative journalists Jean-Christophe Brisard and Lana Parshina gained access to confidential Soviet files that finally revealed the truth behind the incredible hunt for Hitler's body.
Their investigation includes new eyewitness accounts of Hitler's final days, exclusive photographic evidence and interrogation records, and exhaustive research into the power struggle that ensued between Soviet, British, and American intelligence services. And for the first time since the end of World War II, official, cutting-edge forensic tests have been completed on the human remains recovered from the bunker graves--a piece of skull with traces of a lethal bullet, a fragment of bone, and teeth.
In The Death of Hitler -- written as thrillingly as any spy novel--Brisard and Parshina debunk all previous conspiracy theories about the death of the Fuhrer. With breathtaking precision and immediacy they penetrate one of the most powerful and controversial secret services to take readers inside Hitler's bunker in its last hours--and solve the most notorious cold case in history.
In 2017, after two years of painstaking negotiations with the Russian authorities, award-winning investigative journalists Jean-Christophe Brisard and Lana Parshina gained access to confidential Soviet files that finally revealed the truth behind the incredible hunt for Hitler's body.
Their investigation includes new eyewitness accounts of Hitler's final days, exclusive photographic evidence and interrogation records, and exhaustive research into the power struggle that ensued between Soviet, British, and American intelligence services. And for the first time since the end of World War II, official, cutting-edge forensic tests have been completed on the human remains recovered from the bunker graves--a piece of skull with traces of a lethal bullet, a fragment of bone, and teeth.
In The Death of Hitler -- written as thrillingly as any spy novel--Brisard and Parshina debunk all previous conspiracy theories about the death of the Fuhrer. With breathtaking precision and immediacy they penetrate one of the most powerful and controversial secret services to take readers inside Hitler's bunker in its last hours--and solve the most notorious cold case in history.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2018
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468 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
August 30, 2019
This book is like an average movie which has one of the best trailers.Its poorly edited and arranged.The timeline oscillates between 1940's and 2015 making no sense.Before the conclusion,its only interesting in parts.Further,the 'final word' is that there is 'no historical forgery' and 336 pages have been wasted for something which needed 150 pages.
Avoid it if you have no interest in forensics.
Avoid it if you have no interest in forensics.
February 28, 2019
Истината за смъртта на Хитлер остава скрита за десетилетия: http://knigolandia.info/book-review/i...
Всъщност едва ли бих обърнал внимание на поредната книга (още повече на френски, който не владея) за Хитлер, ако авторът не беше точно Жан-Кристоф Бризар. Вече бях работил по друга негова книга – “Децата на диктаторите” – и ми бе направил впечатление като добросъвестен автор. Заради нейното издаване имахме първа опция за “Истината за смъртта на Хитлер” и я дадох за четене на Гриша Атанасов, който скоро ми върна подробна рецензия с положителна оценка – което ме изненада. Знаех, че ще мога да я оценя лично чак след превод – когато вече ще сме почти преди излизане и няма да има връщане назад. И поех риска тази книга да е слаба като няколко други, които са ми попадали в ръцете по неволя. Защото ако има една област, бъкана с измишльотини, това безспорно е Хитлер и неговият Райх. И още в началото искам да дам препоръка за тези, които търсят сериозната информация, а не бомбастичните глупости – двата тома на “Възход и падение на Третия райх” на Уилям Шайрър, които едва наскоро излязоха и на български. Но дори в тези малко над 1400 страници я няма информацията, до която се добира Бризар – просто изследването излиза през 1960 г., когато около участта на фюрера има още твърде много неясноти.
CIELA Books
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/i...
Всъщност едва ли бих обърнал внимание на поредната книга (още повече на френски, който не владея) за Хитлер, ако авторът не беше точно Жан-Кристоф Бризар. Вече бях работил по друга негова книга – “Децата на диктаторите” – и ми бе направил впечатление като добросъвестен автор. Заради нейното издаване имахме първа опция за “Истината за смъртта на Хитлер” и я дадох за четене на Гриша Атанасов, който скоро ми върна подробна рецензия с положителна оценка – което ме изненада. Знаех, че ще мога да я оценя лично чак след превод – когато вече ще сме почти преди излизане и няма да има връщане назад. И поех риска тази книга да е слаба като няколко други, които са ми попадали в ръцете по неволя. Защото ако има една област, бъкана с измишльотини, това безспорно е Хитлер и неговият Райх. И още в началото искам да дам препоръка за тези, които търсят сериозната информация, а не бомбастичните глупости – двата тома на “Възход и падение на Третия райх” на Уилям Шайрър, които едва наскоро излязоха и на български. Но дори в тези малко над 1400 страници я няма информацията, до която се добира Бризар – просто изследването излиза през 1960 г., когато около участта на фюрера има още твърде много неясноти.
CIELA Books
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/i...
September 24, 2018
A decidedly underwhelming book that does nothing to live up to its title.
Far from being 'the Final Word', or bring anything new to the table in general, it mostly rehashes the same information that can be found in any number of other sources, if not entirely ignores works (namely Petrova and Watson) that previously presented information Brisard is presenting as newly discovered, and additionally fails in any sort of critical engagement with the findings of Dr. Nick Bellantoni regarding the skull fragment. The narrative it provides of Hitler's final days is nothing new and can be found in any number of other works, while the narrative about the Soviet's investigation and lack of cooperation with the Western Allies, from whom Stalin hid what they knew, is likewise mostly a rehashing of known information, and reveals nothing new of consequence.
The style is an often gratingly written personal narrative of the authors' journey within the Russian archives (and I'm told the prose is just as purple in the original French, so we can't blame the translator), and in the end, the refusal of the Russians to allow any testing beyond morphological examination critically undercuts any pretense of the book's subtitle. This is particularly fatal with the skull fragment. Although Brisard is not blind to the the fact he is essentially being used by the Russians, who deny that Dr. Bellantoni ever handed the skull in the first place, in agreeing to conduct only a morphological examination, and forbidden from taking samples to replicate Dr. Bellantoni's work which determined the skull to be female, Brisard does nothing except stoke and keep alive a controversy that could be quite easily settled.
So what, if anything, does this book bring to the table? If it has any actual merit it is in providing some slight bit of additional backing to the conclusions already reached by Dr. Sogganes back in the 1970s. His analysis of the dental remains of Hitler had already provided reasonable assurance that they had, in fact, belonged to Hitler, the only shortcoming being that he had to work off photos and an autopsy report of the remains, being unable to access them himself. Brisard's medical expert, Dr. Charlier, used the same radiographies that Sogganes did in his own evaluations, the only difference being that he was able to see the actual remains himself. It puts to rest any possible lingering concerns that the remains themselves were fakes, which Charlier categorically rejects, but otherwise it is in no way revolutionary or otherwise changes what we know (Hitler is dead!).
In sum, the book confirms something that we already knew (the jaw fragment is real), and muddies the waters further on the question that most critically remains (whose skull is it?). Far from providing the Final Word, if anything, it is a step-backwards, playing directly into the hands of Russian propaganda that wishes to continue to assert they have Hitler's skull, and providing further ammunition to conspiracy theorists who, already comfortable ignoring the dental remains anyways, can gleefully point to the continued controversy over the skull.
Far from being 'the Final Word', or bring anything new to the table in general, it mostly rehashes the same information that can be found in any number of other sources, if not entirely ignores works (namely Petrova and Watson) that previously presented information Brisard is presenting as newly discovered, and additionally fails in any sort of critical engagement with the findings of Dr. Nick Bellantoni regarding the skull fragment. The narrative it provides of Hitler's final days is nothing new and can be found in any number of other works, while the narrative about the Soviet's investigation and lack of cooperation with the Western Allies, from whom Stalin hid what they knew, is likewise mostly a rehashing of known information, and reveals nothing new of consequence.
The style is an often gratingly written personal narrative of the authors' journey within the Russian archives (and I'm told the prose is just as purple in the original French, so we can't blame the translator), and in the end, the refusal of the Russians to allow any testing beyond morphological examination critically undercuts any pretense of the book's subtitle. This is particularly fatal with the skull fragment. Although Brisard is not blind to the the fact he is essentially being used by the Russians, who deny that Dr. Bellantoni ever handed the skull in the first place, in agreeing to conduct only a morphological examination, and forbidden from taking samples to replicate Dr. Bellantoni's work which determined the skull to be female, Brisard does nothing except stoke and keep alive a controversy that could be quite easily settled.
So what, if anything, does this book bring to the table? If it has any actual merit it is in providing some slight bit of additional backing to the conclusions already reached by Dr. Sogganes back in the 1970s. His analysis of the dental remains of Hitler had already provided reasonable assurance that they had, in fact, belonged to Hitler, the only shortcoming being that he had to work off photos and an autopsy report of the remains, being unable to access them himself. Brisard's medical expert, Dr. Charlier, used the same radiographies that Sogganes did in his own evaluations, the only difference being that he was able to see the actual remains himself. It puts to rest any possible lingering concerns that the remains themselves were fakes, which Charlier categorically rejects, but otherwise it is in no way revolutionary or otherwise changes what we know (Hitler is dead!).
In sum, the book confirms something that we already knew (the jaw fragment is real), and muddies the waters further on the question that most critically remains (whose skull is it?). Far from providing the Final Word, if anything, it is a step-backwards, playing directly into the hands of Russian propaganda that wishes to continue to assert they have Hitler's skull, and providing further ammunition to conspiracy theorists who, already comfortable ignoring the dental remains anyways, can gleefully point to the continued controversy over the skull.
January 24, 2019
Despite essentially being a piece of work about a skull fragment and a jawbone, this was completely fascinating. I had naively taken the suicide scene in Downfall as the gospel truth about how Hitler died, so was surprised to discover how controversial this key moment in world history actually is. The author’s first-hand account of his and his partner’s excruciating dealings with Russian bureaucracy was an added bonus. Side note: why do books about Hitler have the best cover art?
January 6, 2019
A fascinating read that takes you on a journey with the author to attempt to answer definitively:
* how did Hitler die and using what method of suicide
* what proof do we have that remains today (and what occurred to the evidence we don't have)
* how did the USSR handle their investigations of Hitlers death
Some of the questions the author wanted to get to the bottom of I initially didn't think were that important (did Hitler die using cyanide or did he use a gun), but by the end of the book I really wanted to know. We learn a huge amount about how the USSR at the time through internal infighting were unable to fully answer the question and to this day, Russia seems to have continued to silo its departments through fear and secretiveness to the extent they still don't have all the evidence accessible and departments don't want to work together. We find out about what the USSR did to the witnesses to Hitlers last moments and how they interrogated them, and how they decided to not tell the western allies about the information they had (although we never find out why).
The author does an excellent job at recreating the atmosphere of documenting the visits to the government departments to see the evidence. In fact the whole book is very well edited.
The conclusions were very interesting, although there was still a number of loose ends that I would have liked to have at least seen acknowledged in the epilogue.
For those that have read the book, the questions that remain for me are the following (opinions would be very welcome on if these were answered and I missed something):
* how did Hitler die and using what method of suicide
* what proof do we have that remains today (and what occurred to the evidence we don't have)
* how did the USSR handle their investigations of Hitlers death
Some of the questions the author wanted to get to the bottom of I initially didn't think were that important (did Hitler die using cyanide or did he use a gun), but by the end of the book I really wanted to know. We learn a huge amount about how the USSR at the time through internal infighting were unable to fully answer the question and to this day, Russia seems to have continued to silo its departments through fear and secretiveness to the extent they still don't have all the evidence accessible and departments don't want to work together. We find out about what the USSR did to the witnesses to Hitlers last moments and how they interrogated them, and how they decided to not tell the western allies about the information they had (although we never find out why).
The author does an excellent job at recreating the atmosphere of documenting the visits to the government departments to see the evidence. In fact the whole book is very well edited.
The conclusions were very interesting, although there was still a number of loose ends that I would have liked to have at least seen acknowledged in the epilogue.
For those that have read the book, the questions that remain for me are the following (opinions would be very welcome on if these were answered and I missed something):
November 23, 2018
Not having been very familiar with the many controversies, studies, documentaries, and other explorations of the mystery surrounding the ultimate end of Hitler and Eva Braun, I am less critical of this book than others who have reviewed it on Goodreads. In my opinion, it read well to the layperson and propelled my interest along as these two journalists (refreshingly, NOT American) tried to gain access to the only historical artifacts that could actually settle a decades-long controversy. Facing obstruction and bureaucratic posturing at nearly every turn was defeating and ultimately Brisard and Parshina made do with the crumbs (almost literally) they were given. Possibly the most interesting part of this book was the discussion of Russia's role in the obfuscation of information and truth--its international integrity appeared to rest on the fact that it had Hitler's actual skull, his actual teeth--but what if it actually didn't? Adult.
April 8, 2019
This reads like a classic whodunit mystery, as you must wait until the end to uncover the answers to Hitler’s death. It’s essentially a forensics tale, and plods along slowly as the authors encounter roadblock after roadblock to accessing highly classified materials in various Russian archives and agencies. An account of Hitler’s last days is interspersed among the details of the modern-day treasure hunt, which adds interest and keeps the narrative moving along. Some might be discouraged by the slow pace, but it’s a fascinating, chilling tale that provides an interesting, modern angle to this dark period of history.
August 20, 2018
Quite fascinating, less so for the recital of hitlers final days, and much more so for the investigation of soviet actions regarding hitlers corpse after the fall of the bunker.
November 10, 2019
Doi jurnaliști încearcă să descifreze una dintre cele mai controversate morți din toate timpurile și călătoresc deseori la Moscova pentru a scotoci, în măsura în care sunt lăsați, în arhivele serviciilor secrete și ale armatei sovietice. De altfel, rușii pretind că dețin dantura lui Hitler și o parte însemnată din craniul acestuia.
Rezultatul este o carte de istorie foarte interesantă, ce împletește investigațiile jurnaliștilor cu cele ale specialiștilor, dar și cu capitole captivante despre ultimele zile ale celui de-al doilea război mondial.
Rezultatul este o carte de istorie foarte interesantă, ce împletește investigațiile jurnaliștilor cu cele ale specialiștilor, dar și cu capitole captivante despre ultimele zile ale celui de-al doilea război mondial.
December 10, 2018
Смъртта на Хитлер седмица преди официалната капитулация на Германия във Втората световна война си остава и седемдесет години по-късно въпрос, който продължава да тревожи умов��те на изследователи и читатели. Според възприетата от академичната историография и правителствата на съюзниците версия тя се е случила точно тогава. Но тъй като, както изтъкват и авторите, „подробностите остават грижливо заключени в архивите на тайните служби на бившия СССР”, въпросите остават. „Как е умрял Хитлер? Какво е знаел Сталин за обстоятелствата на самоубийството му? Ако е имал доказателства за смъртта на Хитлер, защо ги е скрил от съюзниците? Защо сега Русия на Путин се съгласява с това, което е отхвърляла: предлага отговори и отваряне на архивите си? И още по-съществено, защо е толкова важно да знаем днес истината за смъртта на Адолф Хитлер?”
Нещо повече, ако днес пуснем търсене „смъртта на Хитлер” на различни езици, ще преобладават резултати от сорта „Хитлер не е умрял в Берлин”, „Хитлер е умрял в Аржентина десетилетия по-късно” и пр. При това не само сензационни публикации от жълти и конспиративни сайтове, а и изследвания, претендиращи за историзъм и професионален подход.
Затова е важно да се види отново и другата гледна точка, при това, както твърдят авторите, „като съчетават неизвестни досега архиви и най-новите научни открития”, за да хвърлят нова светлина върху последните дни на Хитлер.
След две години на продължителни преговори с руските власти Жан-Кристоф Бризар и Лана Паршина получават достъп до поверителни документи, отнасящи се до откриването и разпознаването на тялото на Хитлер от съветските служби, по-нататъшните премеждия с тези останки и унищожаването им. Протоколи от разпитите на свидетелите на последните дни на фюрера, планът на бункера му, проект за неговото бягство, но най-вече последните човешки останки, приписвани на Хитлер и Ева Браун.
На тази основа авторите търсят отново отговор на най-невралгичните въпроси по темата, които занимават от десетилетия изследователите:
Как руснаците след примирието са успели да разпознаят трупа на Хитлер, макар че е бил изгорен?
Защо Сталин прави така, че целият свят да повярва, че германският диктатор е избягал?
Как да се тълкуват документите от архивите?
И най-същественият принос на книгата – новото изследване на останките от прочутия френски експерт по съдебна медицина, наричания „Индиана Джоунс на гробищата” проф. Филип Шарлие, чиито предишни научни трудове включват съдебномедицинска работа по останките на Ричард Лъвското сърце, френския крал Анри IV и други.
Повествованието в книгата тече в преплитащи се „потоци” – премеждията на авторите, докато се доберат до архивните документи и веществените доказателства от бункера на Хитлер, които са разпръснати в три архива в Москва: Военния архив на руското правителство (РГВА), Държавния архив на Руската федерация (ГАРФ) и Архива на ФСБ, за да съберат и анализират за първи път информацията от трите архива.
Последните дни на Хитлер – цялата втора част на книгата е посветена на реконструкцията чрез документи, мемоари и исторически изследвания на всекидневието на Хитлер от 19 април до 2 май 1945 г.
Обстоятелствата около самоубийството на Хитлер и Ева Браун, изгарянето на телата им и последващата съдба на останките. Тук авторите се опират на документите, до които са получили достъп, включително протоколите от подробните многодневни разпити на пленените близки сътрудници на Хитлер, сред тях неговите ординарец и адютант. Тук авторите застъпват тезата, че първоначалното съобщение на ТАСС и твърдение на Сталин, че Хитлер е избягал, и по-късното налагане на версията, че се е самоубил, се дължат на противоборството между Министерството на държавната сигурност, Министерството на вътрешните работи и военните и проследяват документално този сблъсък.
Анализът на самите останки в четвъртата част. Последното посещение на авторите в Москва е заедно с проф. Филип Шарлие, който успява да снима парчето череп и зъбите на Хитлер и Ева Браун с мощна дигитална камера с прожектор. Така той още на място опровергава твърдението на друг експерт, че черепът е на млада жена, открива, че фрагментът от челюст съвпада с рентгеновите снимки на Хитлер, а по зъбите има следи от цианид и стъклени частици. Детайлното заснемане трябва да даде материал за анализ в лабораторията му в Париж – изложен в последната глава.
Като цяло книгата представлява увлекателно четиво, съчетаващо репортажа с документалното историческо разследване. То съдържа сериозни аргументи в подкрепа на тезата за самоубийството на Хитлер в началото на май 1945 г.
Авторите: Жан Кристоф Бризар е вече познат и на българския читател с „Децата на диктаторите”.
Интересна е фигурата на Светлана (Лана) Паршина, рускиня, преселила се в САЩ със зелена карта, журналистка, авторка на документални филми. Тя нашумява с филма „Светлана за Светлана” – последното голямо интервю с живеещата в изолация в САЩ дъщеря на Сталин Светлана Алилуева.
Нещо повече, ако днес пуснем търсене „смъртта на Хитлер” на различни езици, ще преобладават резултати от сорта „Хитлер не е умрял в Берлин”, „Хитлер е умрял в Аржентина десетилетия по-късно” и пр. При това не само сензационни публикации от жълти и конспиративни сайтове, а и изследвания, претендиращи за историзъм и професионален подход.
Затова е важно да се види отново и другата гледна точка, при това, както твърдят авторите, „като съчетават неизвестни досега архиви и най-новите научни открития”, за да хвърлят нова светлина върху последните дни на Хитлер.
След две години на продължителни преговори с руските власти Жан-Кристоф Бризар и Лана Паршина получават достъп до поверителни документи, отнасящи се до откриването и разпознаването на тялото на Хитлер от съветските служби, по-нататъшните премеждия с тези останки и унищожаването им. Протоколи от разпитите на свидетелите на последните дни на фюрера, планът на бункера му, проект за неговото бягство, но най-вече последните човешки останки, приписвани на Хитлер и Ева Браун.
На тази основа авторите търсят отново отговор на най-невралгичните въпроси по темата, които занимават от десетилетия изследователите:
Как руснаците след примирието са успели да разпознаят трупа на Хитлер, макар че е бил изгорен?
Защо Сталин прави така, че целият свят да повярва, че германският диктатор е избягал?
Как да се тълкуват документите от архивите?
И най-същественият принос на книгата – новото изследване на останките от прочутия френски експерт по съдебна медицина, наричания „Индиана Джоунс на гробищата” проф. Филип Шарлие, чиито предишни научни трудове включват съдебномедицинска работа по останките на Ричард Лъвското сърце, френския крал Анри IV и други.
Повествованието в книгата тече в преплитащи се „потоци” – премеждията на авторите, докато се доберат до архивните документи и веществените доказателства от бункера на Хитлер, които са разпръснати в три архива в Москва: Военния архив на руското правителство (РГВА), Държавния архив на Руската федерация (ГАРФ) и Архива на ФСБ, за да съберат и анализират за първи път информацията от трите архива.
Последните дни на Хитлер – цялата втора част на книгата е посветена на реконструкцията чрез документи, мемоари и исторически изследвания на всекидневието на Хитлер от 19 април до 2 май 1945 г.
Обстоятелствата около самоубийството на Хитлер и Ева Браун, изгарянето на телата им и последващата съдба на останките. Тук авторите се опират на документите, до които са получили достъп, включително протоколите от подробните многодневни разпити на пленените близки сътрудници на Хитлер, сред тях неговите ординарец и адютант. Тук авторите застъпват тезата, че първоначалното съобщение на ТАСС и твърдение на Сталин, че Хитлер е избягал, и по-късното налагане на версията, че се е самоубил, се дължат на противоборството между Министерството на държавната сигурност, Министерството на вътрешните работи и военните и проследяват документално този сблъсък.
Анализът на самите останки в четвъртата част. Последното посещение на авторите в Москва е заедно с проф. Филип Шарлие, който успява да снима парчето череп и зъбите на Хитлер и Ева Браун с мощна дигитална камера с прожектор. Така той още на място опровергава твърдението на друг експерт, че черепът е на млада жена, открива, че фрагментът от челюст съвпада с рентгеновите снимки на Хитлер, а по зъбите има следи от цианид и стъклени частици. Детайлното заснемане трябва да даде материал за анализ в лабораторията му в Париж – изложен в последната глава.
Като цяло книгата представлява увлекателно четиво, съчетаващо репортажа с документалното историческо разследване. То съдържа сериозни аргументи в подкрепа на тезата за самоубийството на Хитлер в началото на май 1945 г.
Авторите: Жан Кристоф Бризар е вече познат и на българския читател с „Децата на диктаторите”.
Интересна е фигурата на Светлана (Лана) Паршина, рускиня, преселила се в САЩ със зелена карта, журналистка, авторка на документални филми. Тя нашумява с филма „Светлана за Светлана” – последното голямо интервю с живеещата в изолация в САЩ дъщеря на Сталин Светлана Алилуева.
August 26, 2019
Ik las dit boek in het Nederlands. Die versie staat echter niet op Goodreads, vandaar dat ik de Engelstalige versie heb genomen. Dit is geen boek om in een keer uit te lezen. Al moest ik op het laatst wel doorlezen, omdat het terug moet naar de bibliotheek en ik het niet kan verlengen.
Ik vind dat het boek soms lastig leest door de vele namen van personen en instanties. Toch was het verder wel interessant. Al duurde het lang voor je duidelijkheid krijgt. En dan nog blijven bepaalde zaken onbekend. Het boek laat wel goed zien hoe lastig het is om onderzoek te doen naar Hitlers dood.
Ik vind dat het boek soms lastig leest door de vele namen van personen en instanties. Toch was het verder wel interessant. Al duurde het lang voor je duidelijkheid krijgt. En dan nog blijven bepaalde zaken onbekend. Het boek laat wel goed zien hoe lastig het is om onderzoek te doen naar Hitlers dood.
March 23, 2018
Un des Cold Case historiques des plus fameux… Mort, suicidé ou exilé en Amérique latine? Des rumeurs folles ont couru durant des décennies sur le suicide supposé d’Adolph Hitler.
J’ai été plus que ravie d’être sélectionnée dans la Masse Critique Non Fiction de Babelio avec ce titre car j’ai terminé récemment Au cœur du Kremlin de Vladimir Fédorovski. Je n’allais donc pas être dépaysée dans l’hiver russe. Et j’adore les mystères de l’Histoire!
Ce n’est qu’en recevant le livre que j’ai vu qu’un documentaire avait été produit pour la télévision. La tv est persona non grata en mon antre depuis des années mais je me suis tellement régalée avec cette lecture que j’ai voulu la compléter en le visionnant sur le net.
Alors juste un mot sur le docu tv… c’est une version largement expurgée du livre, basée essentiellement sur l’observation et l’étude scientifique des restes humains d’Hitler par Philippe Charlier, médecin légiste, anatomo-pathologiste, anthropologue et paléopathologiste français (connu pour ses travaux sur Richard Cœur de Lion, Diane de Poitiers et j’en passe!), alors que le livre est concentré pour une majeure partie sur la consultation et l’étude des archives au sein du GARF (Archives d’État), FSB (Services secrets) et les Archives de l’Armée (moins visuel et spectaculaire bien évidemment pour un docu tv!) et la reconstitution historique des événements des derniers jours au sein du bunker d’Hitler.
Je ne sais pas si les auteurs (tous deux journalistes) ont forcé le trait de l’ambiance austère et agressive des personnels des administrations russes, mais le lecteur a réellement l’impression que le rideau de fer est toujours baissé. L’antagonisme Est-Ouest a la vie dure et on ne jette pas comme ça aux orties des décennies de dictature soviétique pour faire ami-ami avec les capitalistes. La suspicion, la paranoïa, la concurrence et les manipulations au sein même de la société russe, a fortiori au cœur de leurs organismes administratifs et politiques, est intrinsèquement viscérale alors comment espérer que l’ouverture sur l’extérieur soit aisée…
Une enquête menée à bien malgré de nombreux séjours stériles, de rendez-vous avortés, d’accords annulés, de téléphones qui sonnent dans le vide, de contacts aux abonnés absents.
Mais avoir enfin son entrée dans des lieux longtemps interdits ou terrifiants par leur simple évocation est à ce prix…
La Loubianka est aux russes ce que la Prinz-Albrecht-Straße est aux allemands. Gestapo ou NKVD, blanc bonnet et bonnet blanc! Et pénétrer un lieu aussi sinistrement mythique, par exemple, c’est laisser les fantômes vous envahir et jeter une chape de plomb sur votre optimisme, vous glacer de respect au souvenir de tant de souffrances imprégnant les murs.
C’est accéder aux documents espérés mais c’est aussi lever le voile sur un état fascinant, son Histoire et son évolution jusqu’à aujourd’hui avec Poutine. Mais la vérité est-elle entièrement présente quand on connaît le mode de fonctionnement tortueux et mortifère du communisme soviétique qui n’a avancé dans le temps qu’à coups de purges arbitraires et d’exils?
Le sujet est Hitler, sa mort. Avoir la certitude qu’il est bien mort en lieux et place énoncés, à la date convenue.
Mais c’est une affaire d’État qui dépasse de loin les événements de la Seconde Guerre Mondiale de par l’enjeu géo-politique de la détention de son squelette. Ses restes ont été l’enjeu d’une guerre d’empoigne et d’une bataille intestine entre services russes (opération Mythe) mais aussi la reconnaissance de la gloire soviétique jetée à la face des occidentaux avec délectation par Staline.
Certains voulaient absolument accréditer la thèse du suicide par cyanure pour insister sur la lâcheté d’Hitler, d’autres ont soutenu qu’il avait choisi le suicide par balle, plus « digne », si tant est que ce terme puisse s’appliquer à ce bourreau. Mais tous ont œuvré pour qu’il n’y ait aucune sépulture connue (opération secrète Archive dans les années 1970) pour empêcher toute glorification ultérieure par une extrême droite nostalgique.
Quel humour sadique que celui de Staline de jeter toutes les puissances internationales dans une chasse à l’homme pendant des décennies après la fin de la Seconde Guerre Mondiale alors que la vérité était fixée et un secret bien gardé au final.
Parce que même si les détails du décès d’Hitler ont longtemps été sujets à suppositions et caution au sein même des services soviétiques, que les témoignages de sa garde rapprochée, obtenue à force de tortures et d’interrogatoires, sont parfois contradictoires, Staline a toujours eu une longueur d’avances sur ses éternels adversaires de l’ouest!
Il est étonnant de constater que les secrets si farouchement gardés par les soviétiques le soit encore aujourd’hui tant cette enquête a été laborieuse et la répugnance des employés russes à coopérer, vive.
Comme cela est cité dans l’ouvrage: « Le drapeau a changé mais pas les mentalités. ».
Emportée par mon enthousiasme sur le sujet, j’en oublie de vous dire que j’ai adoré cette lecture riche. Je n’ai pas pu lâcher le bouquin. Tout autant qu’un super bon thriller, c’est dire!
Au-delà de son éclairage sur la légitimité des preuves détenues par les russes dans le dossier sur la mort d’Hitler, les reporters, au travers de la difficulté de leur enquête, nous donne des détails sur l’évolution politique de l’actuelle Russie, à l’intérieur et aussi dans leurs relations internationales depuis la Seconde Guerre Mondiale.
L’enquête est captivante, écrite comme un roman d’espionnage, avec des présomptions, des certitudes et pouf, revirements de situations et on retourne quasiment à la case « départ ». Et les faits historiques relatés dans le décompte des derniers jours d’Hitler apportent une touche de suspense (eh oui, même plus de 70 ans après!) très plaisante.
Cette enquête est passionnante, super bien ficelée entre recherches contemporaines et rappel des faits historiques, et accessible à tous, aux passionnés d’Histoire avec un bon bagage de connaissances comme au simple quidam avide de mystère!
J’ai été plus que ravie d’être sélectionnée dans la Masse Critique Non Fiction de Babelio avec ce titre car j’ai terminé récemment Au cœur du Kremlin de Vladimir Fédorovski. Je n’allais donc pas être dépaysée dans l’hiver russe. Et j’adore les mystères de l’Histoire!
Ce n’est qu’en recevant le livre que j’ai vu qu’un documentaire avait été produit pour la télévision. La tv est persona non grata en mon antre depuis des années mais je me suis tellement régalée avec cette lecture que j’ai voulu la compléter en le visionnant sur le net.
Alors juste un mot sur le docu tv… c’est une version largement expurgée du livre, basée essentiellement sur l’observation et l’étude scientifique des restes humains d’Hitler par Philippe Charlier, médecin légiste, anatomo-pathologiste, anthropologue et paléopathologiste français (connu pour ses travaux sur Richard Cœur de Lion, Diane de Poitiers et j’en passe!), alors que le livre est concentré pour une majeure partie sur la consultation et l’étude des archives au sein du GARF (Archives d’État), FSB (Services secrets) et les Archives de l’Armée (moins visuel et spectaculaire bien évidemment pour un docu tv!) et la reconstitution historique des événements des derniers jours au sein du bunker d’Hitler.
Je ne sais pas si les auteurs (tous deux journalistes) ont forcé le trait de l’ambiance austère et agressive des personnels des administrations russes, mais le lecteur a réellement l’impression que le rideau de fer est toujours baissé. L’antagonisme Est-Ouest a la vie dure et on ne jette pas comme ça aux orties des décennies de dictature soviétique pour faire ami-ami avec les capitalistes. La suspicion, la paranoïa, la concurrence et les manipulations au sein même de la société russe, a fortiori au cœur de leurs organismes administratifs et politiques, est intrinsèquement viscérale alors comment espérer que l’ouverture sur l’extérieur soit aisée…
Une enquête menée à bien malgré de nombreux séjours stériles, de rendez-vous avortés, d’accords annulés, de téléphones qui sonnent dans le vide, de contacts aux abonnés absents.
Mais avoir enfin son entrée dans des lieux longtemps interdits ou terrifiants par leur simple évocation est à ce prix…
La Loubianka est aux russes ce que la Prinz-Albrecht-Straße est aux allemands. Gestapo ou NKVD, blanc bonnet et bonnet blanc! Et pénétrer un lieu aussi sinistrement mythique, par exemple, c’est laisser les fantômes vous envahir et jeter une chape de plomb sur votre optimisme, vous glacer de respect au souvenir de tant de souffrances imprégnant les murs.
C’est accéder aux documents espérés mais c’est aussi lever le voile sur un état fascinant, son Histoire et son évolution jusqu’à aujourd’hui avec Poutine. Mais la vérité est-elle entièrement présente quand on connaît le mode de fonctionnement tortueux et mortifère du communisme soviétique qui n’a avancé dans le temps qu’à coups de purges arbitraires et d’exils?
Le sujet est Hitler, sa mort. Avoir la certitude qu’il est bien mort en lieux et place énoncés, à la date convenue.
Mais c’est une affaire d’État qui dépasse de loin les événements de la Seconde Guerre Mondiale de par l’enjeu géo-politique de la détention de son squelette. Ses restes ont été l’enjeu d’une guerre d’empoigne et d’une bataille intestine entre services russes (opération Mythe) mais aussi la reconnaissance de la gloire soviétique jetée à la face des occidentaux avec délectation par Staline.
Certains voulaient absolument accréditer la thèse du suicide par cyanure pour insister sur la lâcheté d’Hitler, d’autres ont soutenu qu’il avait choisi le suicide par balle, plus « digne », si tant est que ce terme puisse s’appliquer à ce bourreau. Mais tous ont œuvré pour qu’il n’y ait aucune sépulture connue (opération secrète Archive dans les années 1970) pour empêcher toute glorification ultérieure par une extrême droite nostalgique.
Quel humour sadique que celui de Staline de jeter toutes les puissances internationales dans une chasse à l’homme pendant des décennies après la fin de la Seconde Guerre Mondiale alors que la vérité était fixée et un secret bien gardé au final.
Parce que même si les détails du décès d’Hitler ont longtemps été sujets à suppositions et caution au sein même des services soviétiques, que les témoignages de sa garde rapprochée, obtenue à force de tortures et d’interrogatoires, sont parfois contradictoires, Staline a toujours eu une longueur d’avances sur ses éternels adversaires de l’ouest!
Il est étonnant de constater que les secrets si farouchement gardés par les soviétiques le soit encore aujourd’hui tant cette enquête a été laborieuse et la répugnance des employés russes à coopérer, vive.
Comme cela est cité dans l’ouvrage: « Le drapeau a changé mais pas les mentalités. ».
Emportée par mon enthousiasme sur le sujet, j’en oublie de vous dire que j’ai adoré cette lecture riche. Je n’ai pas pu lâcher le bouquin. Tout autant qu’un super bon thriller, c’est dire!
Au-delà de son éclairage sur la légitimité des preuves détenues par les russes dans le dossier sur la mort d’Hitler, les reporters, au travers de la difficulté de leur enquête, nous donne des détails sur l’évolution politique de l’actuelle Russie, à l’intérieur et aussi dans leurs relations internationales depuis la Seconde Guerre Mondiale.
L’enquête est captivante, écrite comme un roman d’espionnage, avec des présomptions, des certitudes et pouf, revirements de situations et on retourne quasiment à la case « départ ». Et les faits historiques relatés dans le décompte des derniers jours d’Hitler apportent une touche de suspense (eh oui, même plus de 70 ans après!) très plaisante.
Cette enquête est passionnante, super bien ficelée entre recherches contemporaines et rappel des faits historiques, et accessible à tous, aux passionnés d’Histoire avec un bon bagage de connaissances comme au simple quidam avide de mystère!
February 4, 2020
This is a very intereting book with incredible historical information and news. The book is full of trickery, fraud and deception. The modern storyline is a real spy story. I recommendit anyone who want to know more things about this period.
September 2, 2021
Az értékelés olvasható a blogomon:
https://thedeathgoddess.blogspot.com/...
A fülszövege alapján elég ígéretesnek tűnt a könyv; az, hogy sokat vártam tőle, nem egészen fedi a valóságot. Inkább úgy mondanám, hogy azt vártam, hogy valami nagy újdonságot fog mondani. Valami áttörőt.
Viszonylag sok info van benne, de Brisard szakaszosan adagolja. Felváltva járunk a jelenkor Moszkvájában, a szerzők történetét olvasva, illetve 1945-ben vagy a háború utáni években. A szárazabb tények ez utóbbi időszakról szóló fejezetekben kapnak helyet, itt viszont töményen. Vannak itt idézetek a háborús bűnösök tárgyalásairól, a kihallgatási jegyzőkönyvekből, némelyikük emlékirataiból, illetve a már sokszor ismételt, a történelemkönyvekből is ismert tények is elhangzanak. Ezekből kevesebb is lehetett volna; feleslegesnek éreztem például azokat a fejezetrészeket, amelyek a náci tisztek elfogásáról, börtönéletéről, kihallgatásáról olvastam. Ezek nem tartoznak szervesen a témához.
A szerzőpárossal történtek leírása ezzel szemben naplószerű. Részletesen beavatnak minket abba, hogy hogyan sikerült a GARF-ba bejutni, milyen nehézkesen haladt az ügyük, mennyi elutasításban volt részük, mennyi hiábavaló próbálkozás után érték el, hogy láthassák a náci diktátornak tulajdonított maradványokat. Néha már-már az volt az érzésem, hogy regényt olvasok. Aztán persze ezt az illúziót megszakították a tények. Mégis ezeket a fejezeteket élveztem jobban; nagyon szurkoltam a nyomozásuknak, az utolsó oldalaknál szinte a körmömet rágtam. Velük együtt én is nagyon akartam tudni, mit találnak, mit sikerül bizonyítani.
Mindenre nem derül fény. Talán soha nem is fog. A legfontosabbat viszont sikerült bebizonyítani, a legnagyobb kételyt eloszlatni 1945. április 30-ával kapcsolatban.
Megkaptam-e a várt áttörést a könyvtől? Igen és nem. Igen, mert amikor arról vitatkozom valakivel, hogy Hitler meghalt-e azon a napon, tudom, hogy nekem van igazam. És nem, mert még jobb lett volna, ha még többet sikerül kideríteni. Ehhez viszont a másik oldaltól kellett volna olyan fokú együttműködés, amire nem voltak hajlandók. Ez rettentően bosszantott a könyv olvasása alatt. Engem is az mozgatott volna, hogy végre kiderülhetne, mi az igazság, de értem, hogy nekik miért fájna az, ha az jönne ki a vizsgálatokból, hogy valamit rosszul tudtak. Azért szeretném megérni, hogy egyszer azt a koponyát rendesen megvizsgálhassa valaki. Talán a százéves évfordulón. Alig negyed évszázad múlva.
https://thedeathgoddess.blogspot.com/...
A fülszövege alapján elég ígéretesnek tűnt a könyv; az, hogy sokat vártam tőle, nem egészen fedi a valóságot. Inkább úgy mondanám, hogy azt vártam, hogy valami nagy újdonságot fog mondani. Valami áttörőt.
Viszonylag sok info van benne, de Brisard szakaszosan adagolja. Felváltva járunk a jelenkor Moszkvájában, a szerzők történetét olvasva, illetve 1945-ben vagy a háború utáni években. A szárazabb tények ez utóbbi időszakról szóló fejezetekben kapnak helyet, itt viszont töményen. Vannak itt idézetek a háborús bűnösök tárgyalásairól, a kihallgatási jegyzőkönyvekből, némelyikük emlékirataiból, illetve a már sokszor ismételt, a történelemkönyvekből is ismert tények is elhangzanak. Ezekből kevesebb is lehetett volna; feleslegesnek éreztem például azokat a fejezetrészeket, amelyek a náci tisztek elfogásáról, börtönéletéről, kihallgatásáról olvastam. Ezek nem tartoznak szervesen a témához.
A szerzőpárossal történtek leírása ezzel szemben naplószerű. Részletesen beavatnak minket abba, hogy hogyan sikerült a GARF-ba bejutni, milyen nehézkesen haladt az ügyük, mennyi elutasításban volt részük, mennyi hiábavaló próbálkozás után érték el, hogy láthassák a náci diktátornak tulajdonított maradványokat. Néha már-már az volt az érzésem, hogy regényt olvasok. Aztán persze ezt az illúziót megszakították a tények. Mégis ezeket a fejezeteket élveztem jobban; nagyon szurkoltam a nyomozásuknak, az utolsó oldalaknál szinte a körmömet rágtam. Velük együtt én is nagyon akartam tudni, mit találnak, mit sikerül bizonyítani.
Mindenre nem derül fény. Talán soha nem is fog. A legfontosabbat viszont sikerült bebizonyítani, a legnagyobb kételyt eloszlatni 1945. április 30-ával kapcsolatban.
Megkaptam-e a várt áttörést a könyvtől? Igen és nem. Igen, mert amikor arról vitatkozom valakivel, hogy Hitler meghalt-e azon a napon, tudom, hogy nekem van igazam. És nem, mert még jobb lett volna, ha még többet sikerül kideríteni. Ehhez viszont a másik oldaltól kellett volna olyan fokú együttműködés, amire nem voltak hajlandók. Ez rettentően bosszantott a könyv olvasása alatt. Engem is az mozgatott volna, hogy végre kiderülhetne, mi az igazság, de értem, hogy nekik miért fájna az, ha az jönne ki a vizsgálatokból, hogy valamit rosszul tudtak. Azért szeretném megérni, hogy egyszer azt a koponyát rendesen megvizsgálhassa valaki. Talán a százéves évfordulón. Alig negyed évszázad múlva.
March 10, 2018
La mort d'Hitler fait partie de ces grands mystères de l'Histoire. De nombreuses théories ont circulé et circulent toujours sur la fin du dictateur Nazi. Est-il mort à Berlin en 1945? S'est-il enfui en Amérique du Sud comme de nombreux autres leaders nazi? S'il s'est suicidé, de quelle manière a-t-il procédé?
L'URSS, puis la Russie prétendent détenir des preuves de la mort d'Hitler, preuves qu'ils conservent dans leurs archives. Ils possèdent un morceau de crâne qu'ils attribuent à Adolf Hitler pour prouver sa mort et le fait que ce sont les Soviétiques qui ont mis la main sur le corps. Le problème est qu'il est difficile d'accéder aux archives russes pour pouvoir les consulter et les étudier.
Pour réaliser son enquête sur la mort d'Hitler, Jean-Christophe Brisard s'est entouré de Lana Parshina, d'origine russe, qui a de nombreux contacts dans l'administration du pays du fait de son interview de la fille de Staline.
Pendant des mois, ils ont fait tout leur possible pour pouvoir consulter des documents d'époque et pour pouvoir faire avancer leur enquête et aboutir à une conclusion sur la fin du dictateur nazi.
Le livre se lit comme un roman policier ce qui le rend attractif, on n'a pas envie de le lâcher. Il est construit en deux parties, à la fois l'enquête entre 2016 et 2017, et les événements de 1945 puis de l'enquête soviétique dans les mois et les années qui ont suivi. Tout est très bien expliqué et documenté. Même quelqu'un n'étant pas tout à fait à l'aise avec l'Histoire de la fin de la seconde guerre mondiale pourrait lire cette enquête facilement.
J'ai adoré ma lecture même si j'ai trouvé que certains passages à la fin du livre étaient un peu répétitifs. J'aurai aimé que l'administration russe coopère encore un peu plus pour que nous puissions enfin avoir le fin mot de l'histoire sur cette mort d'Hitler et les fantasmes qu'elle suscite. Une partie de la vérité surgit tout de même suite à cette enquête, ce qui permet au livre de ne pas se terminer sur un sentiment de frustration.
L'URSS, puis la Russie prétendent détenir des preuves de la mort d'Hitler, preuves qu'ils conservent dans leurs archives. Ils possèdent un morceau de crâne qu'ils attribuent à Adolf Hitler pour prouver sa mort et le fait que ce sont les Soviétiques qui ont mis la main sur le corps. Le problème est qu'il est difficile d'accéder aux archives russes pour pouvoir les consulter et les étudier.
Pour réaliser son enquête sur la mort d'Hitler, Jean-Christophe Brisard s'est entouré de Lana Parshina, d'origine russe, qui a de nombreux contacts dans l'administration du pays du fait de son interview de la fille de Staline.
Pendant des mois, ils ont fait tout leur possible pour pouvoir consulter des documents d'époque et pour pouvoir faire avancer leur enquête et aboutir à une conclusion sur la fin du dictateur nazi.
Le livre se lit comme un roman policier ce qui le rend attractif, on n'a pas envie de le lâcher. Il est construit en deux parties, à la fois l'enquête entre 2016 et 2017, et les événements de 1945 puis de l'enquête soviétique dans les mois et les années qui ont suivi. Tout est très bien expliqué et documenté. Même quelqu'un n'étant pas tout à fait à l'aise avec l'Histoire de la fin de la seconde guerre mondiale pourrait lire cette enquête facilement.
J'ai adoré ma lecture même si j'ai trouvé que certains passages à la fin du livre étaient un peu répétitifs. J'aurai aimé que l'administration russe coopère encore un peu plus pour que nous puissions enfin avoir le fin mot de l'histoire sur cette mort d'Hitler et les fantasmes qu'elle suscite. Une partie de la vérité surgit tout de même suite à cette enquête, ce qui permet au livre de ne pas se terminer sur un sentiment de frustration.
August 17, 2024
Foarte bună carte! Se citește ca pe un roman de spionaj. Doi cercetători încearcă să afle dacă bucățile de schelet uman pe care le au rușii (pe care nu vor să le arate lumii), aparțin lui Hitler și cum s-a sinucis, dacă chiar a făcut-o.
March 15, 2020
Много добра, достоверна с богат архивен материал. Препоръчвам.
February 7, 2021
Me gustó, aclara el misterio más famoso de la segunda guerra mundial y me transmitio en forma vivida el ambiente burocrático que prevalece en Rusia. Lo disfruté.
June 5, 2022
Ik heb heel erg genoten van dit boek naar de speurtocht van de bewijzen die er zijn bij de russische autoriteiten over de dood/zelfmoord van Hitler. Eigenlijk is het schandalig hoe ook nu nog deze bewijzen zo sterk afgeschermd worden en enkel puur uit politiek. Maar als je dit leest kan je zeker zijn de dictator is dood en niet gevlucht. Zelfmoord hoe is niet zeker maar waar en wanneer daar krijg je wel een duidelijk beeld van.
February 20, 2025
Książka, choć wyjaśniła niektóre kwestie, to pozostawia więcej pytań niż odpowiedzi.
Irytujące były też skoki w narracji- opis ostatnich dni Hitlera mieszał się z aktualnym śledztwem, nieco utrudniając odbiór.
Zakończenie było frustrujące, lecz autor niestety nie może nic na to poradzić :').
Irytujące były też skoki w narracji- opis ostatnich dni Hitlera mieszał się z aktualnym śledztwem, nieco utrudniając odbiór.
Zakończenie było frustrujące, lecz autor niestety nie może nic na to poradzić :').
March 2, 2020
There are several good books about the death of Adolf Hitler. The most definitive remains Hugh Trevor-Roper's "The Last Days of Hitler". The Death of Hitler: The Final Word is a worthy update to Trevor-Roper's work.
When Trevor-Roper was assigned to find out what happened to Hitler, he didn't have much to work with. On the one hand, the event was recent, but on the other, the best sources were in Russian custody so he his only eyewitnesses were those who were captured by the western Allies.
The Russians kept a tight lid on their evidence and transcripts for seven decades. In 2016, a pair of documentary film makers approached the Russian government about studying their archives, and were given limited access. This book is as much about the Russian investigation and handling of archival materials as it is about the actual death of Hitler. We learn that the Russians in charge of the investigation were as driven by what they thought Stalin wanted to hear as much as they were by the evidence and testimony.
Which is fine, it's a fascinating story. And there are some aspects of the story that they legitimately update. The most famous relic in the "A.H." file, the skull fragment discovered in the 1990s, remains somewhat a mystery because the team was not permitted to analyze it, only look at and photograph it. But the teeth purported to be Hitler's were studied more in depth (it would be easy to give away spoilers, here, but I'll refrain) and proven to be his.
This wouldn't be the place to start for someone looking to learn about the demise of Hitler. I'd recommend beginning with Trevor-Roper's book, or perhaps James P. O'Donnell's "The Bunker." But The Death Of Hitler: The Final Word has earned a place towards the top of the literature on the subject.
This might not be the first book I'd recommend to someone looking to learn about Hitler's demise, but I'd still recommend it.
When Trevor-Roper was assigned to find out what happened to Hitler, he didn't have much to work with. On the one hand, the event was recent, but on the other, the best sources were in Russian custody so he his only eyewitnesses were those who were captured by the western Allies.
The Russians kept a tight lid on their evidence and transcripts for seven decades. In 2016, a pair of documentary film makers approached the Russian government about studying their archives, and were given limited access. This book is as much about the Russian investigation and handling of archival materials as it is about the actual death of Hitler. We learn that the Russians in charge of the investigation were as driven by what they thought Stalin wanted to hear as much as they were by the evidence and testimony.
Which is fine, it's a fascinating story. And there are some aspects of the story that they legitimately update. The most famous relic in the "A.H." file, the skull fragment discovered in the 1990s, remains somewhat a mystery because the team was not permitted to analyze it, only look at and photograph it. But the teeth purported to be Hitler's were studied more in depth (it would be easy to give away spoilers, here, but I'll refrain) and proven to be his.
This wouldn't be the place to start for someone looking to learn about the demise of Hitler. I'd recommend beginning with Trevor-Roper's book, or perhaps James P. O'Donnell's "The Bunker." But The Death Of Hitler: The Final Word has earned a place towards the top of the literature on the subject.
This might not be the first book I'd recommend to someone looking to learn about Hitler's demise, but I'd still recommend it.
June 21, 2025
Quite a fascinating book and thoroughly documented & researched on the authors journey trying to attain a definitive conclusion over hitlers death. This is made all the more challenging with distrusting & challenging soviet red tape who hold a skull fragment & dental remains that don’t want to share anything with their allied counter parts from May 1945 to present day. The frustration dealing with soviet bureaucracy is palpable.
Thanks to these individuals and their team (Phillipe Charlier - anthropologist) they’ve concluded the dental remains did infact belong to Hitler where he died outside the Reich chancellery bunker in April 30 45’. This was done with previous X-ray of dental evidence & corroboration of his personal dentist post-war.
Further conclusive evidence suggests cyanide poisoning but no trace elements found of gunpowder residue were noted however key witness accounts by Linge (Hitlers Driver & Otto Günsche (Hitlers Aid-de-camp) highlight hearing a gunshot & seeing evidence of gunshot wound on his skull leaving uncertainty.
There’s mixed reviews due to the books content switching between the events leading up to hitlers death & present day. I on the other hand, think that fits in well giving a feel of the events, the chaos & decision making that links with eye witness testimony of key SS officials that were eventually captured & prisoners of the Gulags.
Highly recommend if WW2 is in your interest.
Thanks to these individuals and their team (Phillipe Charlier - anthropologist) they’ve concluded the dental remains did infact belong to Hitler where he died outside the Reich chancellery bunker in April 30 45’. This was done with previous X-ray of dental evidence & corroboration of his personal dentist post-war.
Further conclusive evidence suggests cyanide poisoning but no trace elements found of gunpowder residue were noted however key witness accounts by Linge (Hitlers Driver & Otto Günsche (Hitlers Aid-de-camp) highlight hearing a gunshot & seeing evidence of gunshot wound on his skull leaving uncertainty.
There’s mixed reviews due to the books content switching between the events leading up to hitlers death & present day. I on the other hand, think that fits in well giving a feel of the events, the chaos & decision making that links with eye witness testimony of key SS officials that were eventually captured & prisoners of the Gulags.
Highly recommend if WW2 is in your interest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2025
This book is an extraordinary study of the paranoia and scheming of Josef Stalin, the fear others had of displeasing him and the resultant rigid and inefficacious Soviet system. All of this factored in to creating less than perfect conditions for solving the questions of whether Hitler had died or escaped, even though Stalin controlled the scene. The same political conditions long survived Stalin and provided obstinate roadblocks for the authors trying to answer these questions over 70 years later. Can you imagine a system where evidence is segregated by department? Or that the various agencies hate each other so much that evidence is split among them and the information hidden from each? Can you justify torturing witnesses? Sounds like compartmentalization met the deep state in the USSR (and continuing in Russia). Given the post modern assumptions or expectations of a CSI approach to solving crime scenes we wonder: what could have been had CSI protocols been followed when the Soviets captured the bunker? No spoiler in this review; you’ll have to read the book yourself. The information provided regarding the movement, examination, and disposal of the various bodies discovered is new and very interesting. One has to admire the persistence of the authors and be grateful for the cooperation of several Russians within the notorious bureaucracy in a search for the truth.
January 25, 2020
Este libro lo puedo definir como dos historias. Una en la que narra los últimos momentos de vida de Hitler. Esta parte es muy interesante. Y la otra historia es todo lo que viven los protagonistas para recoger la información sobre la muerte de Hitler. Esta parte es muy al estilo de novelas de detectives sin la acción. Lo que me llevo del libro va más sobre quién tiene la verdad de la historia y no solo sobre el fin de la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Pasa en todos los suceso importares de la humanidad (política, religión, ideologías). Cuál es la correcta. A quién creer. Nos manipulan con la información o con la historia ??
April 7, 2018
Un des grands mystères de l’histoire. Hitler est-il mort ou a-t-il pu s’enfuir de son bunker ? S’est-il suicidé et comment ? Par balle ou par poison ? Les deux auteurs vont tenter d’y répondre. Et cela passe par la Russie, qui tout le monde le sait, cache de nombreuses archives, pratiquement jamais rendues publiques, et encore moins maintenant avec Poutine. La Russie ou ses anciens noms donnent ce qu’elle veut bien donner. Dans ce pays, la méfiance a toujours été de mise, envers les Occidentaux mais aussi au sein même du pays puisque les services de l’Etat se font tous la guerre. Chacun garde ses informations, tout est cloisonné. Le lecteur apprend que les archives sont redevenus secrètes depuis que Poutine est au pouvoir. Pourtant en 2000, une grande exposition avait eu lieu.
Les Soviétiques ont eu de la chance de libérer Berlin avant les forces occidentales. Ils ont pratiquement pu arrêter qui ils voulaient et mettre la main sur des cadavres. Si les prisonniers avaient été interrogées par l’Occident, auraient-ils avoué ce qui est arrivé à Hitler ? Pas forcément. Malgré les interrogatoires plus que musclés, l’URSS n’a rien à envier au nazisme, ils n’ont pratiquement pas dévier. Mais ils étaient les plus proches d’Hitler et forcément des nazis plus que convaincus.
Encore une fois, même si je connais pas mal de choses sur cette période de l’Histoire, j’ai encore, forcément appris, notamment sur les derniers jours d’Hitler, les arrestations qui ont suivi, les interrogatoires, ceux qui en sont sortis vivants ou pas, comment ils ont réagi. La Deuxième Guerre Mondiale couplée à l’URSS, ce sont deux deux événements et pays qui m’intéressent depuis fort longtemps.
Les éléments sont bien séparés grâce aux parties. Le lecteur sent qu’il y a une réelle motivation pour trouver la vérité. Et franchement cela n’a pas été facile. Entre rendez-vous avortés, rendez-vous tenus mais personnes sur le qui-vive, travailler sur des documents officiels, classés secret défense, n’est pas donné à tout le monde. Même des preuves comme un crâne ou des dents. Ensuite, il faut tout étudier, les notes, les photos prises pour ne rien laisser au hasard. Le temps leur était souvent compté car le dossier est toujours confidentiel. Pendant plus de 70 ans, l’URSS et ensuite la Russie a toujours annoncé qu’Hitler était mort sans apporter de véritables preuves puisque les cadavres ne sont plus là.
Par contre, je ne sais pas si je regarderai le documentaire de France 2 qui s’inspire de ce document, Le mystère de la mort d’Hitler. Je ne sais pas ce qu’il peut m’apporter de plus par rapport à ce formidable travail, même si certains éléments sont répétés. Je ne dévoilerai pas les résultats de leur enquête. Ils ont été aidés par un véritable spécialiste français qui a réalisé ce qu’il a pu avec les éléments présentés. Outre cette enquête, nous avons de réels faits historiques racontés et surtout vérifiables.
Merci à Netgalley et Fayard pour ce formidable moment de lecture. Je n’ai pas vu le temps passer.
Les Soviétiques ont eu de la chance de libérer Berlin avant les forces occidentales. Ils ont pratiquement pu arrêter qui ils voulaient et mettre la main sur des cadavres. Si les prisonniers avaient été interrogées par l’Occident, auraient-ils avoué ce qui est arrivé à Hitler ? Pas forcément. Malgré les interrogatoires plus que musclés, l’URSS n’a rien à envier au nazisme, ils n’ont pratiquement pas dévier. Mais ils étaient les plus proches d’Hitler et forcément des nazis plus que convaincus.
Encore une fois, même si je connais pas mal de choses sur cette période de l’Histoire, j’ai encore, forcément appris, notamment sur les derniers jours d’Hitler, les arrestations qui ont suivi, les interrogatoires, ceux qui en sont sortis vivants ou pas, comment ils ont réagi. La Deuxième Guerre Mondiale couplée à l’URSS, ce sont deux deux événements et pays qui m’intéressent depuis fort longtemps.
Les éléments sont bien séparés grâce aux parties. Le lecteur sent qu’il y a une réelle motivation pour trouver la vérité. Et franchement cela n’a pas été facile. Entre rendez-vous avortés, rendez-vous tenus mais personnes sur le qui-vive, travailler sur des documents officiels, classés secret défense, n’est pas donné à tout le monde. Même des preuves comme un crâne ou des dents. Ensuite, il faut tout étudier, les notes, les photos prises pour ne rien laisser au hasard. Le temps leur était souvent compté car le dossier est toujours confidentiel. Pendant plus de 70 ans, l’URSS et ensuite la Russie a toujours annoncé qu’Hitler était mort sans apporter de véritables preuves puisque les cadavres ne sont plus là.
Par contre, je ne sais pas si je regarderai le documentaire de France 2 qui s’inspire de ce document, Le mystère de la mort d’Hitler. Je ne sais pas ce qu’il peut m’apporter de plus par rapport à ce formidable travail, même si certains éléments sont répétés. Je ne dévoilerai pas les résultats de leur enquête. Ils ont été aidés par un véritable spécialiste français qui a réalisé ce qu’il a pu avec les éléments présentés. Outre cette enquête, nous avons de réels faits historiques racontés et surtout vérifiables.
Merci à Netgalley et Fayard pour ce formidable moment de lecture. Je n’ai pas vu le temps passer.
December 15, 2020
Наистина ли в Държавния архив на Руската федерация, в една кутия от дискети, се пази част от черепа на Хитлер ? Той не се ли отрови с цианид ? А дали не избяга в Аржентина, като много нацисти преди това ? Тези въпроси тревожат Сталин и цяла Германия в хаотичното лято на 1945г. Войната приключва, но най-голямата награда за комунистите липсва - тялото на фюрера.
Хитлер е загадка,той е една мистификация, обгърната в пропаганда и терор. Съвсем обикновен човек, а завладява цял един народ. Думите му са като слово от Библията за нацистите. В тежките следвоенни години той е техният спасител. Но и боговете имат своя край.
След поредица от неуспехи, фанатичният диктатор все още проявява непоколебим оптимизъм - войната не е загубена , просто не минава по план. Не такова е настроението му на 30.04.1945г. , когато сдъвква ампула с цианид и се прострелва в главата. И с това трябва да приключи всичко, но не .. Ако е възможно, Хитлер става по-търсен мъртъв, от колкото жив. Тук, реалността се преплита с мита, което е характерно за канцлера на Трети райх. Дали камериерът Линге лъже, като казва,че е чул изтрелите ? Дали адютантът Гюнше наистина изгаря трупа на Хитлер? Руснаците мислят,че са открили отговора и го пазят далеч от хорски очи. Аз мисля,че митът за фюрера винаги ще бъде жив за този, който знае къде да търси. И както е казал Карл Юнг през 1938г. : " Хитлер е шаман, вид божествен съсъд,полубожество,дори повече - мит. Властта на Хитлер не е политическа,тя е магическа."
Хитлер е загадка,той е една мистификация, обгърната в пропаганда и терор. Съвсем обикновен човек, а завладява цял един народ. Думите му са като слово от Библията за нацистите. В тежките следвоенни години той е техният спасител. Но и боговете имат своя край.
След поредица от неуспехи, фанатичният диктатор все още проявява непоколебим оптимизъм - войната не е загубена , просто не минава по план. Не такова е настроението му на 30.04.1945г. , когато сдъвква ампула с цианид и се прострелва в главата. И с това трябва да приключи всичко, но не .. Ако е възможно, Хитлер става по-търсен мъртъв, от колкото жив. Тук, реалността се преплита с мита, което е характерно за канцлера на Трети райх. Дали камериерът Линге лъже, като казва,че е чул изтрелите ? Дали адютантът Гюнше наистина изгаря трупа на Хитлер? Руснаците мислят,че са открили отговора и го пазят далеч от хорски очи. Аз мисля,че митът за фюрера винаги ще бъде жив за този, който знае къде да търси. И както е казал Карл Юнг през 1938г. : " Хитлер е шаман, вид божествен съсъд,полубожество,дори повече - мит. Властта на Хитлер не е политическа,тя е магическа."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2018
2018 has been bookendended by history books for me. In January I read A Doctor's Sword by Bob Jackson and now The Death of Hitler in December. Both from the same era but both very far apart in feel. The Doctor's Sword was uplifting even though some of the story was quite harrowing. The Death of Hitler, on the other hand, was far from uplifting and the frustration felt by the authors was palpable on the page.
Reading of a 1945/46 Soviet Union should have felt like going back in time and it did. Reading about a 2016/17 Russia should not have felt like going back in time but again it did. It feels as if bureaucracy and obfuscation is the order of the day there and little has changed. The red tape the researchers had to endure and the endless hoops they had to jump through must have been soul destroying. In fact I'm surprised this book was ever written at all. The doggedness of both Brisard and Parshina is applaudable for if they had not stuck to their mission we would never have a definitive answer to what Hitler's ultimate fate truly was.
One humorous note though was when Stalin becomes the first notable (and unsuspecting) user of Godwin's law when he likened the new Anglo-American alliance to Hitler's Nazi Germany.
Reading of a 1945/46 Soviet Union should have felt like going back in time and it did. Reading about a 2016/17 Russia should not have felt like going back in time but again it did. It feels as if bureaucracy and obfuscation is the order of the day there and little has changed. The red tape the researchers had to endure and the endless hoops they had to jump through must have been soul destroying. In fact I'm surprised this book was ever written at all. The doggedness of both Brisard and Parshina is applaudable for if they had not stuck to their mission we would never have a definitive answer to what Hitler's ultimate fate truly was.
One humorous note though was when Stalin becomes the first notable (and unsuspecting) user of Godwin's law when he likened the new Anglo-American alliance to Hitler's Nazi Germany.
June 12, 2020
Историческите книги предполагат една скучноватост, тъй като, най-често представят, сухи факти. Датировките са неизбежни за всеки един такъв труд, но в тази книга те са единствено да подчертаят последователността на действията. Така написаното се превръща в един своеобразен двоен дневник - едната част проследява парапетите и проблемите, пред които са изправени Жан-Кристоф Бризар и Лана Паршина докато правят своето проучване, а другата представя последните дни от живота на Хитлер и неговото обкръжение. Този стил на писане доближава книгата до криминален роман със заплетена история, но с една голяма подробност - всяка щриха от тази история е действителна. Дори и четящият да не е любител на произведенията, свързани с история, то той ще бъде завладян от постоянното очакване за развитие и непрестанно изскачащите въпроси.
October 1, 2021
Ajunşi în sala cu masa dreptunghiulară, Dina ia loc şi ne pofteşte să facem şi noi la fel. Nikolai îşi parchează căruţul într‑un colţ şi extrage din el nişte dosare uzate şi o pânză de bumbac groasă. Scena se derulează fără cuvinte. Dina îi călăuzeşte mâna tovarăşului ei şi‑i indică unde să pună tot mormanul: dosarele la capătul mesei, pânza uzată drept în faţa noastră. „Asta‑i… Tot ce am găsit se află aici.” În chiar clipa când Dina ne punea la curent, colegul ei desfăcea pânza cu un gest amplu şi graţios şi dezvelea… nişte picioare de masă. „Apropiaţi‑vă. Aveţi dreptul.” Nikolai şi‑a regăsit darul vorbirii şi se arată aproape limbut: „Iată cealaltă dovadă a morţii sigure a lui Adolf Hitler, iată urmele lui de sânge pe structurile de lemn ale divanului său”. Structurile de lemn ale divanului lui Hitler dând la iveală nişte scurgeri negricioase. Să fie oare de la sângele lui Hitler?
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