Source - Amazon
“Those who want to live, let them fight, and those who do not want to fight in this world of eternal struggle do not deserve to live.”
Mein Kampf is the
autobiography of Adolf Hitler describes his life from his childhood to the time
of death. In short, it describes all that Adolf Hitler, the ultimate villain,
was. It is famously known that no one is born evil, and this book serves as
evidence of this saying.
About The Author
Source - Wikipedia
Adolf Hitler is the
continuing epitome of dictatorship that triggered the European phase of World
War II. He was a German leader, belonging to the Nazi Party in Berlin, the capital
of Germany. Born on April 20th, 1889, Hitler continues to be the
embodiment of evil for many.
When World War I
began, Hitler joined the German Army and was awarded twice for his bravery.
Soon after WW I, Hitler joined politics. He soon realized he had the gift of
speeches; people listened when he spoke. Making this his ultimate weapon, he
grew to be the greatest dictator of Germany.
A man responsible for
one of the most heinous crimes in human history, Adolf Hitler remains one of
the most dynamic personalities to be incorporated into the pages of history.
‘Mein Kampf’ marks a turning point in everything said and written about him; it
is the book that shows the point of view of the villain himself, which a lot of
literature fails to show.
Volume I – A
Retrospect
The book is divided into
two volumes; ‘a retrospect’ and ‘the national socialist movement’. The
first volume starts with his childhood memories. Once you start reading the
book, you know that Hitler was not always synonymous with evil. Adolf Hitler
was a little boy once, but unlike others, his childhood was ruined by the
effects of war.
Hitler described how his childhood was a little too
different was the usual childhood story; the innocent laughter was replaced by
deadly screams, and his parents’ love was replaced by the pain of their early
death.
This ‘retrospect’ shows how no one is born evil; it is
all incidental.
Volume II – The National Socialist Movement
This volume can be renamed as the ‘The Rise of Hitler’;
as this shows how Hitler used his power to influence and became the greatest
dictator of all time. After taking part in World War I as a soldier, Hitler
focused on bringing glory back to the name of German.
His hate for Jewish people, execution of millions in the
name of ‘life unworthy of life’, and leading the most dangerous armies of all
time; all of this is described by Hitler himself in this volume.
Chills Down The Spine
From the very page of this book, you start questioning
your presumption about Hitler. At one point, you know he has led the biggest
crimes of human history; but reading his point of view gives you a serious
dilemma.
Knowing that his childhood was the harshest experience for
him, even after seeing millions of deaths in front of him, makes it evident
that Hitler, was not a villain, he was a man with a mission.
Very few books manage to keep the reader engrossed from
page to page, despite being such a long read. Mein Kampf is surely one of them.
This book is proof, that every story has two sides; one that is heard too much
and the other that is not heard enough.
No Justifications, Just Facts
If you have some preliminary knowledge about Hitler and
World War II, you will read this book with a biased mind. Others, who just use
the name ‘Hitler’ as synonymous with something fairly evil, will read this book
out of curiosity.
Either way, as Hitler is speaking through this book
himself, he presents no justifications or arguments for what his approach was
and what he had done. The book has a straightforward tone; merely descriptive,
as to what he saw, what he felt, and what he did.
The tone of the writing is not argumentative, almost like
the author couldn’t care less about what the reader thinks of him. Mein Kampf
holds the essence of a story, told by a man, who never doubted his actions and
his motive.
Mein Kampf – My Struggle
The English translation of Mein Kampf is ‘My Struggle’, which
summarizes this book in the best way possible. The book could be perceived as
argumentative before reading it; but once you go from page to page, you know
this book is no advocacy, apology, or approval. This book is a story, told by
the main character himself.
Mein Kampf might be perceived by different people in
different ways. But by no fault, one’s perception of Adolf Hitler changes. You
don’t see him as a good guy, as the tone of the book itself explained that the
author never wanted to wipe the slate clean.
But, moving towards the epilogue, you come to realize
that his actions, even the most torturous ones, were backed by his childhood
trauma, his endless struggle, and a mission that he romanticized so much, he forgot
the definition of good and bad.
Overall Rating – 4/5
Written by – Simran Mahon
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