Mein Kampf

by David Levinthal

Since his first publication in 1977, Hitler Moves East, photographer David Levinthal has explored a panoply of compelling issues in representation. Using toy soldiers, dolls, and other figurines, Levinthal, in Mein Kampf has created dramatic tableaux which engage the narrative of Hitler's rise to power and the Nazi campaign to wipe out the Jews and other marginal groups of people. Although miniature in scale, Levinthal's Storm Troopers, concentration camps guards and Hitler's complicit phalanx assume monumental proportions photographed with the Polaroid 20 x 24" studio camera. Shot against flaming red skies, and cold, steel-blue interiors, the spectacle of military pageantry and the senseless slaughter of men, women, and children converge in a disturbing critique of collective memory.

Genres: Holocaust, World War II

88 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1996

Reviews

[todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

twin palms press. done. another book i found in a box. goes for between 70 - 400ish. i know i may seem interested in the price of these books. . . but i am interested. the photography book is interesting to think about in this age of digitization. everyone talks about curling up with a book or sitting at the beach at the book. whatever. . . but the photography book. what will happen to it? i should add a bunch of quotes i have about photography books here. maybe in another review.

[Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of color, out-of-focus, photographs of Nazi soldiers, Hitler, and their victims made me think. The images are of toys, toy Nazis and those they persecuted. Are the actions we're reminded of by these images just too horrible to remember if presented in sharp focus? What do we learn about ourselves by looking at these grim reminders? Will this atrocity reoccur? Has it already reoccurred. Shouldn't we face it clearly and sharply in focus? Thought-provoking.

[Kevin Porter · Rating 3 out of 5]

From what I've read so far, I've really been able to understand Adolf Hitler's mindset and his logic. It really paints a better picture of him, and reveals that he was just a genius who was demented.