Adolf Hitler : můj přítel z mládí

by August Kubizek, Věra Kurtová (Translator)

Vůbec poprvé, šedesát let od jejich vydání, se k českému čtenáři dostávají vzpomínky Augusta Kubizka, jediného a výlučného přítele Adolfa Hitlera, s nímž společně trávil čas v letech 1904 - 1908, nejprve v Linci a později ve Vídni. Mezi životopisnými knihami o Hitlerovi zaujímá Kubizkovo dílo nejvýznamnější pozici, popisuje totiž události, kdy se Hitlerovy myšlenky utvářely a zároveň provádí hlubokou psychologickou sondu do jeho osoby. Kniha, obsahující české veřejnosti doposud neznámá fakta, je určena hlavně historikům, avšak pro svižný, deníkovým stylem líčený děj s mnoha překvapivými zvraty, zaujme i širší veřejnost.

Hitlera zde vidíme v různých, střídajících se podobách. Jednou jako snílka, milovníka přírodních krás a vážné hudby, jindy zase jako depresivního a zlostného člověka, nenávidícího politické i společenské poměry kolem a vše neněmecké (v knize jsou např. popsány dva incidenty mladého Hitlera s Židy, ale i výtky vůči jiným národům, Čechy nevyjímaje). Možná i to někdy v minulosti bránilo vydání tohoto svazku.

V knize je zaznamenán i zvláštní okamžik, jakási změna, která se odehrála v Hitlerově mysli jedné noci na vrchu Freinbergu a která by mohla být považována za mystické vytržení, či snad osvícení, okamžik, kdy Hitler pochopil, přijal (či jak to nazvat) svoje "poslání".

August Kubizek byl jediným člověkem, který kdy stál Hitlerovi nejblíže a kterému se Hitler svěřoval i s tím nejintimnějším. Kniha je tedy svým způsobem výjimečným dílem. Jak uvádí Kubizek, sám Hitler už jako říšský kancléř při pozdějším setkání s ním prohlásil: " ‚O mně smí psát jen někdo, kdo mě skutečně znal. A pokud někdo přichází v úvahu, jste to jen vy, Kubizku.' Nato se obrátil k pobočníkovi a dodal: ‚Ihned to zapište.' "

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, World War II, Germany, Memoir, War

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

August ("Gustl") Kubizek (died in Eferding) was a close friend of Adolf Hitler when both were in their late teens. He later wrote about their friendship.

Reviews

[Narendrāditya Nalwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You are a friend of Adolf Hitler's?"
"Yes."
"Since when?"
"Since 1904."
"What do you mean by that? At that time he was nobody."
"Nevertheless, I was his friend."
"How could you be his friend when he was still a nobody?"

An American officer of the Central Intelligence Corps asked: "So you are a friend of Adolf Hitler's. What did you get out of it?"
"Nothing."
"But you admit that you were his friend. Did he give you money?"
"No."
"Or food?"
"Neither."
"A car, a house?"
"Not that either."
"Did he introduce you to beautiful women?"
"Nor that."
"Did he receive you again, later on?"
"Yes."
"Did you see him often?"
"Occasionally."
"How did you manage to see him?" "I just went to him."
"So you were with him. Really? Quite close?" "Yes, quite close."
"Alone?"
"Alone."
"Without any guard?"
"Without any guard."
"So you could have killed him?" "Yes, I could have."
"And why didn't you kill him?"
"Because he was my friend."

[Manny]

This book, published in 1953 by Adolf Hitler's childhood friend August Kubizek, is frequently referred to in the sixth volume of Knausgård's Min kamp; Knausgård quotes long passages and also compares with Hitler's various biographers, in particular Ian Kershaw.

Kubizek was Hitler's best friend for about four years, and they shared lodgings in Vienna for several months. Knausgård's opinion is that Kubizek was the only real friend Hitler ever had, and the person who knew him best. He also thinks that the memoir is essentially honest. It was begun in the 40s, under the orders of the Third Reich, and completed after the war; during the first period, Kubizek was being pressed to write a hagiography of Hitler, and during the second he was expected to demonize him, but he did neither of these things.

The most surprising aspect of Kubizek's account, at least as presented by Knausgård, is that Hitler doesn't come across as an evil person; the worst that can be said about him is that he is egoistic and somewhat out of touch with reality. This is actually much more frightening than a portrait of an inhuman monster. It is easy to see how people you know yourself could turn into the creature Hitler later became, and Knausgård's book explores this theme in great detail. He strongly disagrees with Kershaw's reading of Kubizek's text, and suggests that Kershaw is overinterpreting the facts in the light of Hitler's future career.

I am curious to read Kubizek's memoir and decide for myself.

[Greg Paulson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly amazing book. I should note that I have a 1955 printing that HASN'T been edited to be "political correct." I couldn't put it down... No wonder Miguel Serrano said it should be read again and again...studied. It is clear the author is neither uncritical nor overly so, but simply gives an honest recollection of his experience and his opinions. I think it's safe to say one can know little about Adolf Hitler without having read this book. It has truly touched me on a personal level...What inspirational book!

[peg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I approached this book with the expectation of learning what exactly went wrong in Adolph Hitler's early childhood that could have been responsible for creating the monster he became. The fact that Hitler was a product of incest and a narcissistic, tyrannical, stubborn, and delusional young man with a "grim and sour" sense of humor and a lack of tolerance for those who disagreed with him, did not surprise me. What shocks me is that the author, who was Hitler's closest and only friend during his adolesence and young adulthood, also describes Hitler as being a sensitive person with a passion for music and the arts with exceptional empathy for the down trodden. If what Kubizek says is true, and I have no reason to disbelieve this credible account, Adolph Hitler cared for his dying mother in a very compassionate and selfless manner, provided for his younger sister after the death of their parents, was hopelessly in search of romance and the love of a beautiful woman, and was a caring and faithful friend to Kubizek, himself. Like many famous people, Adolph Hitler did not have an idyllic childhood. His father was described as a bit of a tyrant who gave young Adolph "a good hiding" when necessary and completely disreguarded his son's artistic and architectural aptitudes. Both of Hitler's parents feared that Adolph would never find a substantive career for himself. By his own admission, Adolph had been a poor student in school and as a result, he was self-taught in most disciplines. Later in life Hitler's designs for transportation systems and city planning were brilliant. He had a keen eye for urban development and would probably have been remembered for his genius had he not also orchestrated the most heinous attrocities ever to befall the western world. While reading this book I did not discover the negative influences in Hitler's life that could have created the flawed individual we remember. Perhaps that story lies in the early undocumented relationship that he had with his father. Despite the horror Kubizek felt for Hitler's actions as a political leader, Kubizek remembers Adolf Hitler with affection for the young man who befriended him.

[Ira Therebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many books about Hitler. They usually tell us about his years as a dictator and his political career. What I always wanted to read was a book about what happened before. All I knew is that he loved his mother and wanted to be an artist. I already read a book about young Stalin and Hitler was another historical figure whose young years I was interested in. So when I saw this book on Amazon Kindle daily deals I knew that I have to get it because it is exactly what I wanted.

It is written by August Kubizek. Hitler's best and only friend in the time period 1904-1908. It is even different from the young Stalin book that I read because it wasn't written by a historian but by a person who actually had a special bond with him and cared about him. This makes this book interesting because it comes from such an extraordinary point of view. Of course one should take it with a grain of salt. This book was written 40 years after their friendship and one can wonder how much would August really remember. If I would write a book about my best friend who was also my roommate 10 years ago I would not be able to go into such detail. So I don't think him quoting Hitler would be in any way accurate, except for postcards Hitler wrote to him. And as I studied in psychology sometimes things we remember are not true, we just believe they are. But nonetheless the few stories are likely to be true. Just as his memories of Hitler's character. In the introduction Ian Kershaw tells us where we should be skeptical.

The book was written after WW2 so Kubizek had no reason to make Hitler look like a good person. And he doesn't, he also doesn't make him look like an evil caricature. The portrayal seems to be very balanced. Hitler didn't seem to be an easy person and hard to be friends with, which can be one of the reasons why he only had one. And August seems like a very agreeable easy going person who would stand Hitler's temper issues and self centredness. We also see what he liked about his friend. It reads like a normal memory of a friendship but we never forget that it is about Hitler. Kubizek often brings quotes from Mein Kampf that are about that tim he remembers and also says when what he remembers is different from it.

A really interesting history book. It is different from what we usually get to read and gives us a bigger picture about that particular time in Hitler's life. I always knew that Hitler wanted to be an artist, but this book actually showed to what extent his interest in art went. It seemed to be his main priority. While the book also tells about Hitler's first interest in politics and beginning of his anti semitism most of it is about what was the most important think in his friendship with August (who didn't care for politics) which is art. It seems to have been the main part of their lives. And Hitler was a pacifist! When I read it I kept on thinking how great it would have been if he would have found a way to become an architect and rebuild Linz the way he wanted without killing millions of people.

[My Pseudonym · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides the reader, with probably, the most intimate account available on Hitler's youth and upbringing. August Kubizek and Hitler were best friends from around the age of 15-19 years old. This book will probably come as a shock to the layman, as it seems to depict an apologist's view on the tyrant everybody understands as Adolf Hitler.

However, I don't believe that is the case. Kubizek appears to write with genuine rose tainted reminiscence regarding - what he calls - his dear old friend, Hitler. He writes with great passion on their youthful adventures together. They would frequently go and visit operas together and go on adventures. Hitler, from a young age displayed captivating oratory skills, and showed a love for art and architecture.

Kubizek actually thanks Hitler for encouraging him to pursue music and study in Vienna away from home. Kubizek claims if it wasn't for Hitler, he may've not had the will to pursue his passion, and would've likely stuck with the family business. Their relationship is an unusual one; however, Hitler does appear to show glimpses of compassion and caring for the world around him and for his friend's well-being.

Very revealing insight into Hitler's psyche from a young age, and should be a compulsory read for any serious scholar studying the life of Hitler or anyone trying to understand how such a mysterious, yet well-known figure, rose to tyrannical power.

[Sebastian Sandino · Rating 5 out of 5]

His life was a Richard Wagner masterpiece. Adolf Hitler, a man with a normal life in Linz, but with structural visions of improvements and a life in favor of culture. The incredible thing about a man like Adolf Hitler was not only his oratory and his ability to convince, but it was his family and friendship sensitivity. Anyone today could compare themselves with that 17-year-old young man and find many similarities. How could that young man Already in Vienna, an orphan and academic failure, he became a mass leader and a forceful dictator? Kubizek does not have the answer, but what he does tell us is the story of one more human being, one more Austrian in this world, nothing controversial, nothing that shows us what the world would see 20 years after that human being. This makes it fascinating, an exquisite story of a strong friendship and a zest for life. It could be the story not of a dictator who sent the world to war but of a famous architect who changed the world through his works."...because these unpleasant aspects of his being were obscured by the pure fire of a soul capable of all enthusiasms"

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't remember how I first heard of this book. When it was reprinted (the original title was Young Hitler, I bought a copy.

Just finished reading this work and seeing another side of Hitler was very interesting. It was obvious that the teenaged Hitler had sociopathic characteristics and controlled his friend, the author. However, Hitler was human, and he did have big plans and dreams. So many of his behaviors (long rants on topics, belittling others, etc.) were evident as a youth.

It was interesting to see what Hitler was like when young, even with poetic license the author inadvertently used at times. The understanding one gains by the end of the book - that Hitler's life was the result of his character and self-determination, more than anything else - is disturbing but yet, in some way, satisfying. Hitler was a monster, but even monsters have a human side. No villain in a novel can be two-dimensional and still be a good villain, and it's important for history to remember that Hitler was a son and a friend.

And no, Hitler's friendship with Kubizek doesn't redeem or excuse what the Reich Chancellor did - so many of the Reich's victims would have had much more fulfilling stories - but it does help history chronicle him as human being, sociopathic and self-absorbed, but human nonetheless.

[Christian Schwalbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

While written in a very matter of fact, documentarian manner , this slim volume is a fascinating look (via his childhood friend) of part of the adolescence of the Young Adolf Hitler. As a reader,when encountering works in this vein , it is imperative that one separate themselves from the later mis-deeds of people like Hitler , which could easily cloud the interpretation. As difficult as this is to do, it allows oneself to understand the complexity of character of people history has rightly labeled "evil." reading this volume gave me a glimpse of some of the events and personality traits that shaped Hitler into the megalomaniacal dictator he would later become. That being said, one can still glimpse soft traits in the teen age Hitler of this narrative, who sounds like, to me, many other young men who consign themselves to the whims of dreams and lofty ambition. This book is extremely compelling, also , since I think we can all find traits of ourselves in the Hitler that is portrayed here, and it is because of this that one must attempt to read books like this as objectively as possible, despite the difficulty of doing so. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in psychology of Youth, or specifically, gaining a further understanding of the formative years of Adolf Hitler, especially from such an intimate perspective.
5/5 stars for interest value

[Dina_FK · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is funny how I am more interested in the Author's life than young Hitler. It seems to me, he appears to be more open minded than young Adolf here. I realized back then (during my schooldays) when I read this book about the memoir of Hitler, I learned that even the most notorious monster throughout history also have a life and grew up as someone who went through hardships and dealt with them....he actually really did which definitely struck me when I get to sympathize young Adolf during his youth. Yes, I find that at this point, he was already racist during his teenage years, but one can never deny how powerful his friendship towards Gustl was and I did find it rather rare in some books who wants to understand the depth of his character.

[Les Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let's suppose that you've been invited to visit Dr. Frankenstein's laboratory in the basement of his exalted castle. You descend the steps as the acrid smell of putrid chemicals and rotting flesh grows in your nostrils accompanied by Egor who holds a tiny torch and speaks in animated and lofty tones. He is busy describing the myriad accomplishments of Master as you round the final twist in the stairway and the spectacle of madness comes fully into view.
You feel shivers as you enter the stony vault and behold a forest of boiling, smoking test tubes and a network of endless coils of wire that terminate in the flesh of a monster lying on a thick stony slab.
The monster shares the middle of the room with a bony, emaciated figure in a lab coat with too much hair and a wild look in his eyes. He seems to be in a race against time, working feverishly with the placing of electrodes and the recording of calculations above the massive lifeless figure.
Such is the feeling when reading this book. There are a number of things that I admire about its author: he is industrious, considerate, devoted, talented and intelligent. But August Kubizek's slavish devotion to Adolf Hitler lies a little beyond the scope of my comprehension.
August started his work life as his father's apprentice in the upholstery business but his passion is for music. He manages to excel in his music studies in Vienna where he lives with young Adolf in spite of the fact that Hitler is easily irritated, demanding, prone to sudden outbursts, uncompromising in his views and prepossessing. Nevertheless, August continues to call Adolf "friend".
To be sure, there are a few examples of Adolf's compassion and commitment that are extolled here. One surely is his involvement with, and care toward, his dying mother and Hitler throws himself whole-heartedly into this task. Another admirable moment involves Adolf's vigorous argument for August's musical career.
But in both instances, one could argue that there was a selfish motive behind the altruism. Frau Klara helped to provide for the boy and the house in Urfahr was his touchstone residence and young August would provide the needed sounding board and co-contributor to the cost of rent in Vienna.
In Vienna, August studies hard and excels in his music studies. He plays the viola and piano with great skill and even tutors a considerable number of peers. Adolf walks and muses and gives long-winded speeches and seeks affirmation for his ideas through books. He is busy constructing a systematic ideology from buried ideas and antiquated structures. He attends the opera and concerts and has a particular affinity for Richard Wagner. He becomes less interested in architecture and more interested in politics. It is interesting to note that he only manages to join one organization: the Anti-Semitic League.
There is a moment of darkness and uncertainty. It seems to last for an eternity. The light returns in a great shower of sparks and bursting test tubes. With one great growl, the monster is animated and tears free from his shackles and wires. This brings a single declaration from the deranged but dedicated father of this aberration: "It's alive!" he screams.
And his words seem to echo beyond the stones of the great vault, beyond the villainous archways, beyond even the long dead hanging branches of the great trees that claw at the castle walls. His declaration reverberates across the country and around the world on the radio, in newspapers, in news film clips as the monster climbs upon his podium and pounds his fists and shrieks in great guttural, menacing tones.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

My biggest gripe with this book is that some of the elements felt very much fabricated in order to make a more interesting book.
However, overall, the book is a fascinating story. I was even more interested in the author's story having been childhood friends with Adolf Hitler during his teenage years is a unique experience in history. I imagine memories of his old friend, Hitler, before committing war atrocities must have haunted the writer's later life. Since he saw a different side of the man than anyone else in history.
I think why some people will not want to read this book is because they would claim it humanize Hitler. However, despite committing irredeemable atrocities, Hitler was a human. I think we like to label Hitler as a "monster" because he is a black mirror of what a human being can become, which justifiably disturbs us.
The book also constantly made me think of the idea of human evil. Hitler is obviously as well as other communist dictators is a classic example of evil. But Where does it come from? Where does it start? Do all evil people have a similar characteristic?
Obviously, every human is capable of doing evil things but where evil comes from, how it forms, and how to avoid it seems to be a question that still eludes me.
I would recommend this book to history fams and anyone interested in human evil.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

August Kubizek may not have been much of a writer, but he sure had one hell of a story to tell. I've taken on the obsessive goal of reading all of the "definitive" Hitler Biografies at the same time (Konrad Heiden, Alan Bullock, Joachim Fest, John Toland, Ian Kershaw, Volker Ullrich, and Peter Longerich (perhaps I've lost my mind)).
... first I had to go back and read this book. It's important for understanding Hitler's early years. Highly entertaining.

[Joe Aldrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a spectacular read. It's an insight into Hitler's life during his late teens. The author was Hitler's only friend during these four years, and therefore, the only resource of information for that time. Highly recommended!

[Mitko Mitkov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Чете се с интерес и е един от малкото достоверни източници по темата

[Ivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book of reality and banality in our times of exaggeration.

This, along with "Mein Kampf" and the history of the world in the late 19th and early 20th century should be enough for any thinking human to understand the responsibility of the general public and the common, ordinary person, in the atrocities of the war. Mankind entire is marred with its crimes, but only 1 country so far has admitted its collective - that is - every man and woman's responsibility in bringing an aloof idealist to power and putting his "ideals" of personal heaven at work to create a collective hell.

The book is, by its nature very personal to Kubizek - that is, being a normal person - a civil servant with a strong and fulfulled dream of musical career, he was, as noted in the last chapters of the book concerned with describing the nature of his friendship with Hitler as it were - not as the official biographers, the Nazi party or indeed the Allies would have wanted him to describe it.

Through the narrative one can see that there are two distinct parts where society failed and produced the Hitler than we know, instead of the potential architect and artist Hitler that never came to be - the organization of hereditary monarchies and aristocracies led to the world of the "haves" totally disconnected in their lives and ideals from the world of the poor - thus the revolutions in the monarchies of Europe became inevitable.

Moreover - multinational and multiethnic empires, like the Habsburg empire, like the British Raj and subsequently Indonesia and the Soviet Union are unfortunately and always built upon the forced labour of their ethnic majorities, with a falsely egalitarian falsely meritocratic or any other ideology "du jour" to justify their existence.

Those empires, inevitably collapse economically and it inevitably leads to the genocide of the self-segregated self-contained ethnic minorities - if anything this is, along with Mein Kampf and the record of history itself - a testament, that Hitler and his likes of Suharto, Pol Pot and others merely led the preexisting tendency - of antisemitism in Europe, of antichinese sentiment in Indonesia, of antihmong movements in Cambodia - fuel to the fire which was already here, not only because those countries leaders ignored the basic needs of their own populations, but also because nothing was done - and indeed probably could not be done - to ensure assimilation and creation of a real "body of the nation" instead of the vapors which took its place.

Secondly - Hitler himself - in his Vienna years and even later - due to his character was an inflexible idealist, quite interestingly he reminded me of myself, aged 14 to about 18 - in his very "black and white" logic, diatribes, fear of pollution, exaltation of romantic relationships while shunning sex and many other character traits, indeed - I think that the radical idealism in some way it's a necessary stage of development in the life of every human, which growing up should abandon it, understanding the complexity of the world.

Herein lies the second part - the responsibility of the "everyday person", that is - the everyday person of that day was so base, uneducated and ignorant, that a person with a "mental model" of the 1980ies teenager was able to go all the way up into their heart, take place as the ultimate paragon of virtue and nation and party leader and lead them to commit atrocities on each other, then shyly deny their own hatred of their neighbor and their revelling in murder, dumping it all on "Nazi" ideology "imperialism" and whatnot.

See the heart of darkness in yourself.

[JoséMaría BlancoWhite · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este es un ejemplo evidente y relevante de que "no tenemos lucha contra sangre y carne, sino contra principados, contra potestades, contra los gobernadores de las tinieblas de este siglo, contra huestes espirituales de maldad en las regiones celestes." (Efesios 6:12)

Contado con un lenguaje muy sencillo, pero personal, íntimo. Se demuestra que el Maligno no puede entrar en nosotros si nosotros no le abrimos la puerta: el odio y el dolor se retroalimentan, y es necesario romper el ciclo mirando al Bien, al Amor, de lo contrario uno está firmando su propia sentencia de muerte, es decir, vendiendo su alma al diablo.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an immensely gratifying read. For one, it gives one an intimate insight into the thought-patterns and inner life of a totalitarian maniac. Of course, Kubizek offers us a humanized portrait and to me, the most tragic element is Hitler's profound and deep interest in creative self-expression being funneled and co-opted by an insidious German Idealism. Hitler's political-romantic obsession with Wagner shows that he was already thinking in world historical terms as a teenager. And we also see how Kubizek, a much more grounded and ultimately "bourgeois" dude has an appreciation of Wagner that, while sentimental, is grounded in appreciation of his technical achievements as part of a more cosmopolitan appreciation of Opera and music in general. Hitler loved Wagner because it was pure, unfettered GERMAN expression, perhaps the originary point for Hitler's obsession with "Germania." This world-historical and political obsession was a bit alienating to Kuzibek, but he was more than willing to go along with it because of his self-described passive character.

So the interesting part to me isn't the voyeuristic look into the most intimate aspects of Hitler's persona (which IS of course pretty neat), but what the relationship between Hitler and Kuzibek reveals to us about the relation of Hitler to the people of the third reich. Hitler's friendship with Kuzibek feels like a microcosm of his attitude toward the German people--paternalistic, passionate, grounded in essentialism and exclusivity. Although Kuzibek explicitly addresses Hitler's sexuality as decidedly heterosexual, I do believe there is a strong erotic and psycho-sexual undercurrent between Kuzibek and Hitler, and I think that this psycho-sexual element played out between Hitler and the German people.

Of course, not every German fell under the sway of the totalitarian maniac dictator--and even here, Kuzibek's relationship with Hitler provides insight into how these more "grounded" Germans conceded authority to Hitler. We see Kuzibek's self-defensive ignorance of all things "political," his tendency to go along with Hitler on everything (except for music), even if he knew in his heart that Hitler was being demented and extremist.

When one views the highly personal and idiosyncratic relationship between Kuzibek and Hitler through the lens of the political, one has fertile ground for insight into how totalitarian regimes are initiated through the abilities of a charismatic, magnetic figure harnessing malignant historical forces and unleashing them upon a group of people. And although the story between Hitler and Kuzibek is filled with personal pathos, tragedy, and sentimentality (even a decent amount of sympathy for the future psycho), the real takeaway is the tragic political ramifications of an extremist with a singular political vision and a charismatic, seductive spirit.

[Leia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not many people know about a man called August Kubizek, let alone know about this book's existence. Kubizek wasn't really a person of great historical significance, true, but that doesn't mean he didn't play a part in the upbringing of the dictator we all know and hate. In this memoir, Kubizek has documented his memories of his friendship with Hitler which spanned during the dawn of the 20th century.
This book is indeed, in my opinion, an important historical document, and is also endlessly intriguing. Kubizek is very generous when sharing his experiences with us; he tells us all that he knows about the matter and doesn't leave anything out. Trivial and intimate details like the ones written here can't be read on, for instance, Wikipedia: you will only find out about them through a "first-hand", original source.
What I especially appreciate about this book is that it is written in such an honest and "matter-of-fact" way. Kubizek doesn't try to romanticise or be dramatic when writing down his experiences in his written account. He simply tells you what happened, essentially, and what his reaction was to certain events and/or what thoughts went through his head. I found myself being reminded of Władysław Szpilman's The Pianist, since that memoir is also written in the same down-to-earth manner. If a biographical book is written in a flowery and theatrical way, especially if it is written by a "professional biographer" and not by a person who was actually involved in the historical event, I end up finding the book silly and a little insensitive and exploitative.
With all of that said, I am glad that I finally got to read this. I had a nice ("nice" is probably not the right word) time reading this, and I naturally learned a lot too.

[R. Reddebrek · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strange document. This is a biography of Hitler by what appears to be his one and only friend and focusses on the early years in Linz when it was still part of the Habsburg Empire, before moving onto Vienna and then a short epilogue detailing the brief visits between Kubizek and the new leader of the Nazi party and Germany.

Its not what I was expecting, Hitler comes across as a strange and yet timeless angry young man. He is extremely narcissistic and quick to anger and already a confirmed German nationalist and anti-semite as a teenager. He also seems to have had incredibly difficult times approaching women, he had a four year long crush on a young woman called Stefanie, during which he never talked to her, just went for walks so he could look at her, and ordered Kubizek to keep tabs on her through a mutual friend, and would fly into rages and panic attacks over the thought she wouldn't stay pure and faithful to him. The phrase incel seems to apply.

His political views are interesting, Kubizek believes that his political views were largely unchanged over the years, just that time had refined them some what. The only exception that surprised me was young Hitler's pacifism and distrust of the military. Though this can be explained somewhat by his German nationalism and loathing of the Empire in which he was born. His anti-semitism was already deeply held, and several incidents in the book would be comic if Hitler didn't go onto to commit the holocaust.

I recommend this as a study of Hitler and as a time capsule of a world before World War One and the rise of Hitler the politician. Its not the most readable book I've encountered and its focus on art and opera can wear on you.

[Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

August Kubizek met Adolf Hitler in 1904 while they were both competing for standing room at the opera. Their mutual passion for music created a strong bond, and over the next four years they became close friends. Kubizek describes a reticent young man, painfully shy, yet capable of bursting into hysterical fits of anger if anyone disagreed with him. The two boys would often talk for hours on end; Hitler found Kubizek to be a very good listener, a worthy confidant to his hopes and dreams.
In 1908 Kubizek moved to Vienna and shared a room with Hitler at 29 Stumpergasse. During this time, Hitler tried to get into art school, but he was unsuccessful. With his money fast running out, he found himself sinking to the lower depths of the city: an unkind world of isolation and ‘constant unappeasable hunger’. Hitler moved out of the flat in November, without leaving a forwarding address; Kubizek did not meet his friend again until 1938.
The Young Hitler I Knew tells the story of an extraordinary friendship, and gives fascinating insight into Hitler’s character during these formative years. This is the first edition to be published in English since 1955 and it corrects many changes made for reasons of political correctness. It also includes important sections which were excised from the original English translation.

[Nurul · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a fascinating exercise to read about any legendary figure's description as merely being a person - his likes and dislikes, personality traits that are common to the next man. We have all known about his liking of children, e.g., as testament of his capability for kindness and humility, but never before has anyone written about Hitler in such a humane way, and certainly never as personal as this. It was so well approached, that I couldn't help but developed a sense of admiration for the teenager Hitler, for his single-mindedness and charisma, and felt that this here is a man with a great depth, but how unfortunate it was that he devoted himself to such a heinous crime. At certain parts it read like a fiction, which is very appealing to me. I would recommend it to anyone who finds Hitler a worthy subject to know about, but if you read to try to understand why he is so cruel, you won't find the answer here. It's merely a story telling, not a dissection or analysis of Hitler's character.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excelentes memorias, de fácil lectura, podría ser fácilmente la historia de dos jovenes de cualquier parte del mundo, con sueños, esperanzas y sufrimientos. Deberían llevarlas al cine. Tiene drama y hasta partes de humor. Humaniza mucho a Hitler y lo hace ver como otro ser humano más. Por lo que no creo que Spielberg quiera producirla.
Probablemente sea el único libro en que se habla del verdadero Hitler, hecho por alguien que lo conoció en persona, August Kubizek, el único amigo que Hitler tuvo en su vida.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives a different look at Hitler. Not that I am 'pro-Hitler', but it is interesting to read about 4 yrs. of his life that shaped the future. If just one of his other aspirations came to fruition history would have been completely re-written. The book is not as quick of a read as I would have liked, but the content is pretty interesting.

[Roger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read. It seems that hitler was a homophobic homosexual whose fantasy about a woman named Stephanie was his mask for his love of his friend. Unable to accept this within himself he made homosexuals and Jews his object of his hate. Being obsessive, paranoid, grandiose, and antisocial made him the monster he grew to be. He was a man with no soul.

[EppicNinjaBunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though the Hitler we expected (and know) is displayed as projected, his narcissistic, anti-social behaviour is overwhelmingly present. In no way it can be described how this young man grew to Europe's worst (modern) dictator.

The insight given by August is detailed, perhaps too detailed according to some, and sketches gruesomely the path to Europe's destruction.

[Gary Stocker]

Very readable. Written by one of Hitler's (probably only) teenage friends.

[Sharon Zink · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written memoir of friendship with Hitler 1905-1912. Interesting, but good to go to sleep on.

[Sem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kubizek must have had the patience of a saint. Either that or a deep and abiding love.

[John Harvard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Young Hitler I Knew by August Kubizek is a vivid and deeply personal account of Adolf Hitler’s early years, offering rare insight into the young man who would later become one of history’s most infamous figures. The book focuses on the years 1904 to 1908, when Kubizek and Hitler lived together in Vienna as roommates, both trying to find their place in the world. Their close friendship gives readers a uniquely intimate look at Hitler’s emerging personality and ambitions.

Kubizek was studying music at the Vienna Conservatoire, while Hitler was an aspiring artist hoping to enter the Academy of Fine Arts. The two had first met in their hometown of Linz, bonding over their shared love of classical music and opera. In Vienna, that friendship deepened as they spent countless hours discussing art, architecture, and the future.

Even then, Kubizek recalls, Hitler was passionate, intense, and absolutely convinced of his opinions. When something captured his interest, he threw himself into it completely, teaching himself until he felt he had mastered the subject. Early on, his fascination centered on music and architecture—he would spend long evenings describing his elaborate plans for redesigning cities and buildings. But over time, his focus shifted toward politics and society.

By 1908, Hitler had begun attending sessions of the Viennese parliament and was growing increasingly preoccupied with what he saw as the decline of Vienna’s “German character” amid rising immigration. Kubizek describes the late-night monologues that followed—heated, restless, and unwavering in conviction—as Hitler vented his frustrations and proposed grand solutions to the problems he saw around him.

Eventually, Kubizek completed his studies and found a modest government job, while Hitler, increasingly disillusioned with formal education and short of money, drifted away from his studies. One day, he simply disappeared without a word. Only later did Kubizek learn that Hitler had moved to a men’s hostel in a poorer part of Vienna, likely out of shame over his poverty and lack of success.

Decades later, their paths crossed again under remarkable circumstances. When Hitler returned to Austria as Germany’s Chancellor, the two old friends briefly reunited to re-ignite a friendship that had begun in a small Viennese apartment decades before.

Kubizek’s memoir stands out not only for its closeness to Hitler during his most impressionable years, but also for its tone—partly affectionate and partly bewildered. It offers a humanizing but unsettling portrait of a young man whose intensity and convictions were already shaping the ideology he would one day impose on the world. For readers interested in understanding how history’s most notorious figures begin, The Young Hitler I Knew remains a fascinating read and is the only intimate portrait of the early years of the person who would go on to change the course of world history.