Adolf Hitler

By: John Toland

Narrated by: Ralph Cosham

Length: 44 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Based on previously unpublished documents, diaries, notes, photographs, and dramatic interviews with Hitler's colleagues and associates, this is the definitive biography of one of the most despised yet fascinating figures of the 20th century. Painstakingly documented, it is a work that will not soon be forgotten.

©1976 John Toland (P)2014 Blackstone Audio

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Thorough, compelling, sad, bizarre, insightful, horrifying...Toland really sets a standard for historical biography. Hitler's pre-political life is particularly fascinating as it gives a detailed glimpse into the making of the nut job who nearly destroyed the world--but still we are left with no real answers as to how an unstable country boy from a relatively healthy but fractured family could go from uneducated artist and street urchin, to army corporal, to dictator, to author of one of the world's most horrific cataclysms.

Ralph Cosham is a capable and urbane narrator (though sometimes he starts out strong then flags a bit), and his German, French, Italian, and Polish pronunciations are adept.

Wow!

This book is the standard by which all other books on Adolf Hitler shall be compared. It is doubtful anything else will ever come close.

An excellent book.

Would you consider the audio edition of Adolf Hitler to be better than the print version?

Yes

What was one of the most memorable moments of Adolf Hitler?

Listening to the account of his relationship with his mother during her battle with breast cancer and eventual death.

What about Ralph Cosham’s performance did you like?

He is very well spoken and easy to follow

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The book in general places Hitler in a different light as it shows the events that occur around him prior to his rise to power.

Any additional comments?

I am still not a fan of Hitler, but one cannot fully understand the tyrant without learning everything possible from all sides. A standard precept of History states that history is always written by the winners.

Insight into evil

This book gives amazing insight into who Adolf Hitler was, and what led to his rise in power. I think it is so important to know these facts so that we never let someone like him take power again. History repeats itself and there are parallels between Hitler's time and ours.

Comprehensive and fascinating

I enjoyed this thoroughly, although it started to feel long, and then the end came too soon. One of the reasons I wanted to write this review was because of the sterling job done by Ralph Cosham. I was mainly familiar with his work from the Inspector Gamache series, so I was blown away by his proficiency with German pronunciation as well and French and of course English. It makes such a difference to have such fluency during the story (if anyone has heard Martin Sheen try to pronounce French words in a TV documentary you know what I mean). I enjoy John Toland books, have read a couple and will continue to read more, but I wanted to say I rate Ralph Cosham with George Guidall and Scott Brick as a narrator.

Illuminating

Following along I realized this is almost literally a day-by-day account of Hitlers life. This makes it the most densely researched books I know, with the possible exception of ‘Careless Love’, the Elvis biography. Both books drag you down into horror. Watch Hitlers evil bloom in grinding slow motion and try not yelling “Stop !” as he slowly descends into irredeemable evil. I say slowly but in fact Hitler gets his hands soaked in blood very young and without blinking. And the reader is there to see and feel each day of it because make no mistake - Toland takes you there and lets you make up your own mind. Toland is allergic to editorializing. Nothing but the facts here. An incredible achievement.

Unbelievable amount of research and knowledge makes this a must for any historian.

I enjoyed every page. Excellently read too!! What a journey through a time that defined history.

Well read and interesting documentary

Performance was very good, and this documentary of a truly remarkable if not stilted man gives a fair reflection of how a strong enough personality can make and break a nation.

One of the most riveting biographies

This superbly written biography uses details the way an artist uses a brush to create a vivid image of Hitler and the reactions of those around him.

Good story

Comprehensive study of Hitlers life
Not as good as the rise and fall of the third riech which in my opinion is still the benchmark