A CONCISE BIOGRAPHY OF ADOLF HITLER

This well-written brief biography requires a thoughtful presentation, which is exactly how John H. Mayer handles his duties. Fuchs's book is uncommon; its short chapters, such as "Hitler's Bookshelf" and "Hitler the Hypochondriac," cover a lot of information succinctly. Mayer's conversational style is much like that of a seasoned teacher whose delivery keeps his class engaged. Some myths about Hitler are debunked while new information is sometimes startling; for example, after analyzing the Ku Klux Klan, Hitler concluded that its members were not ruthless enough to become Nazis. Mayer's skill with German vocabulary and names adds authenticity. The book closes with brief profiles of the people closest to Hitler, making listeners realize sadly that he had plenty of accomplices. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2014]