Mein Kampf

Just picked up a paperback copy of it last week...

This is a REALLY interesting read.

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It seems absurd, even comical in places...yet this book was given to every newly married couple from the late 1930's onward.

"History is written by the victors". Kinda cool to see HIS side of it...albeit the more I read, the more my belief that this man was seriously EFFED UP becomes backed by fact. Both his parents died by the time he was 16...joined the socialist movement in his pre-teens...but theres a side of him that you feel almost sympathetic of, that seem "normal"...even inspring. He wanted to be a painter...but his father wanted him to be a civil servant...his fight to follow his own career path is really inspiring......

But then when you read deeper into the text, one realizes that half the "facts" in Mein Kampf were propaganda written at a desperate time in his life...

Just, kinda cool to read

Helps to give a much deeper understanding of the time period and the lengths this man went through to gain power. It would be taboo to say hes a role model in that sense, but in fact...Adolf Hitler is the best example of affirmative action that I can find anywhere. Albeit, his definition of affirmative action is a sick, twisted, and biased account...but still

Anyone else read it?

I wanted too, but my parents won't let me buy a copy. (You want to read about anti-Semeticism!!!)

Yeah I tried...but his writings are sorta deranged so I gave up. Best ive read was The Art of War...the Prince was interesting as well.

Ive read the Art of War...Im no pro tactiction but Sun Tzu was a genious.

Zane wrote:

the Prince was interesting as well.

Machiavelli? We had to read that for AP Euro...

I haven't read the complete Mein Kampf yet, but I'd like to.

+1 to Insane Mercc's post

How about the Communist Manifesto? I swear, that was the most boring read in my entire life. Marx must have used "bourgeoisie" and "proletariat" a million times.

Another one is Atlas Shrugged. A long read, but worthwhile, in my opinion.

Oh Don't use the Lord's name in vain., I hated The Communist Mainfesto. That was horrible! He was a horrible author and writer...

I haven't read any of these books

Honestly..I tihnk the onlyreason those books have any value is due to the wars fought.

The books are horribly written, and in the case of the comunist manifesto complely ignorant and naive.
You know were the word utopia comes from? The Greek words οὐ (meaning not) and τόπος (meaning place) Meaning such a place is impossible...go take a philosophy class if you want to know why. (I be a terrible teacher..and would not be sure how to explain it here)

And hitler was just a deranged fool who knew how to influnace people (yay fear mongering)

And because of Germany being in a horrible Depression with a conversion rate of $1 USD to 4000000000000000000000 DM. That's 4 with 21 zeros! Also he played on the fear/hate of communism and other left-wing radicals.

I remember reading a few parts from it years ago when i was a kid and found it awfully boring. Now though it may be something i wouldn't mind trying to read. Hitler was a very "interesting" wack job.

iliveforthis99 wrote:

I remember reading a few parts from it years ago when i was a kid and found it awfully boring. Now though it may be something i wouldn't mind trying to read. Hitler was a very "interesting" wack job.

Definitely. Its one of those books that you HAVE to know your history to read.
Theres certain parts where you just sit there and shake your head...because years later that ideal became an action.

I'm enjoying the first half...alot of stuff about his childhood (Alot of it made up)...and hopefully it doesnt get too crazy in second half (which I've heard it does).

Yeah it's random as .... It makes no logical sense, if I handt know the history it wouldve just been wtf?

The stupidity of people amazes me, and yes that is stupidity, tell someone what they want to hear and they will do anything for it.

Im not going to read Mein Kampf mainly because of what those words and that being inspired....did you know that the Nazis considered the Mein Kampf as a type of bible.

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did you know that the Nazis considered the Mein Kampf as a type of bible.

Where do you come up with this stuff Merc ?? LOL

Mein Kampf was required reading for officer candidates, it was supposed to help them to understand the decisions being made by A.H., to show and demostrate what was being done and what was the ultimate goal, and after reading it most had the same thoughts as anybody else that has read it, `` Huh, Did I miss something ? ´´.

It is so sad that people even today think that anybody that served during that time in History was a `` Nazi ´´, to think that all of the 17.7 million members of the Wehrmacht ( 1938-1945 ) were `` Nazi ´s ´´ would have tripled the entire membership, at the height of their power, the Nazi Party only had 8.5 million members ( and not all of them Germans, the Father of the Assembly Line was not only a member, but also one of the largest financial contributors, why do you think Ford gets very few Military Contracts, Then and Now. )

BTT,

The book is an interesting read, gives a bit of insight to the thinkings of a Madman, but a great work of literary art is it not, something that I would leave on the toilet tank, not just to read, but also incase the TP runs out.

Well said slob. Makes me mad when people blame and think all the Germans back then were Nazi's.

Personaly? The people that chose to ignore the atrocities and the ones that took the path of indecision are just as responsible as the ones performing the deed.

But yes..not all the Germans were crazys...The best millatary mind in modern history (atleast in my opinion) was Erwin Rommel...my favorate quote about him is:

"There exists a real danger that our friend Rommel is becoming a kind of magical or bogey-man to our troops, who are talking far too much about him. He is by no means a superman, although he is undoubtedly very energetic and able. Even if he were a superman, it would still be highly undesirable that our men should credit him with supernatural powers" and he ended the memo with the line "I am not jealous of Rommel."

Slob you seem to know these things..could you recomend any good books on him? I haven't been able to find much..except The dessert fox.

I have one Zane:

Patton, Montgomery, Rommel: Masters of War by Terry Brighton. Very interesting comparison of the three and says a lot about Rommel.

Agreed, I get so mad when people say "So then what did the Nazis do after so-and-so battle happened?" NO, the Wehrmacht, not the Nazis! Only the SS was purely Nazi (slob, correct me if I'm wrong).

br55ftw wrote:

Only the SS was purely Nazi (slob, correct me if I'm wrong).

Eh...Idunno...

Schutzstaffel members were selected on the principles of racial purity and loyalty to the Nazi Party...so they were already "purley nazi" before becoming squadron members.
But ya, I get what you're trying to say kinda.

I'm a 2rd generation citizen...and my family goes back a long way in Germany, Sweden, and Holland.

My aunt is a professional geneologist and gave me this tid-bit:

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My Oma and Opa got a copy of "Mein Kamp" signed by Him when they were married. Unfortunately, Oma's sister burned it when Oma was in the hospital in the 90s. My Opa was a loyalist German...not "nazi", per say...but loyal to Adolf's regime. Served in the Heer and was supposedly given high honors for his actions, although I've yet to find proof of these honors. Although I did find records that state that he was shot in the back 16 times by an Allied infantryman, was taken to a field hospital, and survived with no permanent damage. Thing is, the German governent was known to exagerate for propaganda purposes, so I doubt he really got shot 16 times.

Actually I got my information from the Classic American Knowledge Supository(The TV) but it was stated multiple times on different shows and a book I read on the SS. BTW I will revise my statement saying "The SS and inner nazi party members mostly considered it a Bible." Sorry for blurting.

Eh still not realy a bible..more a guide..sort of like..mhm a club constitution..states thier mission ect

For some reason the kids in the US have some sort of heavy fascination with the Germans..like they are some..mhm hero?..same things going on with Russians as well..many seem to want to immitiate soviat era russia..odd imo.

And yes one things for sure..the Germans were "Watch your language" good at thier propaganda, only better one during WW II would be the Japanese.

And to the peep getting infor from TV? Please don't..im tired of sarcasticly having to so o yeah sure I danced naked around the fire at night..and went hunting tigers in the morning. (becouse you know, tigers are all over the place in Africa yah?)

Ok......since they were all Nazi documenteries sponsered by History Channel, History International, and The Military Channel.......but im just telling you what ive heard. And....was the thing about the kids being fascinated with the Germans and Soviets directed at me?

The problem with those shows (as you found out from Slobs and Durkees posts) is that they focus on what profits (Yeah thier for profit shows..sooo just like FOX, ABC, NBC they do what gets em the big bucks, as any for profit does)

So the info you get will be aimed to get your pity (the poor kiddies in india), aimed at your preconcieved opinions (all germans are evil), ect. Basicly your getting the opinion that most people will watch, ask yourself...when was the last time you saw somthing very controversiol (make you question your dearest beliefs, or attack them on these channals?

And no it wasn't directed at you (no one here behaves like the stuff im talking about)..lotta kids in JROTC were obsessed. Iono I just found it odd..they weren't exactly angels eh?

Eh just when you see somthin ask yourself who profits from it.

"The victors write the history as they see fit"

Or better, like the old saying, "whats the difference between a rebel and a patriot?" "One wins and the other looses"

If those shows edited their information and twisted it to make a profit then it wouldnt be history and then its WRONG im sure they wouldnt change that kind of information just to make John McGullible an Anti-German.

One of my ancestors (unknown, we just have a photo) was the Wehrmacht equivalent of a Captain and won the Iron Cross sometime in WWII. Another one of my ancestors (another photo only) is wearing a Nazi armband. We don't know anything about them besides the pictures....