Written by Adolf Hitler's chief of press in 1934, this book details the three tumultuous election campaign years from 1930 through to the coming to power of the NSDAP in January 1933. The author formed part of Hitler's inner circle and campaign staff during this period-which included six full elections in two-and-a-half years-and later went on to become the chancellor's personal press officer.
Starting with a short backgrounder of the growth of the National Socialist party, Dietrich then springs into a vivid description of the exhausting and intense electoral campaigns. Many fascinating details are included, such as Hitler's hectic speaking schedule, and his ground-breaking-and sometimes highly dangerous-innovation of flying to meetings up and down the country. Hitler's schedule, Dietrich recalled, was so intense that his entourage had trouble keeping up with him.
Also detailed are accounts of the Communist Party's endeavors to stop Hitler-which included the setting of ambushes, and the attempts by the supposedly democratic parties to legally restrict the NSDAP.
Finally, the triumph of winning power-and the political intrigue which preceded it-are ably presented, before the work finishes with a broader philosophical discussion on the new National Socialist government's position and interaction with the rest of the world.
From the preface:
"These pages shall comprise no biography of Adolf Hitler, no description of his political activity during the last years, but they shall recount decisive days of struggle and great moments, in a series of fragments from personal reminiscences, which the author has been privileged to experience with his leader during the last years until the attainment of power.
"I shall describe the historical course of events as I have personally seen and felt them.
"The reader may form for himself a conclusive picture of Adolf Hitler's personality from the individual scenes of this struggle, comparable to that of Faust, of this fantastically modern way of work of this truly heroic struggle for the triumphal advance of the National Revolution. Probably these scenes reveal to some readers not only the man Adolf Hitler, but also the secret of his success."
CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter I: The Power of Personality
Chapter II: The Struggle of the Heroic World Idea
Chapter III: Towards Decision
Chapter IV: Master of the Diplomatic Field
Chapter V: Industrial Magnates at the Crossroads
Chapter VI: From Munich to Berlin
Chapter VII: Adolf Hitler's Greatest Hour
Chapter VIII: In Flight over Germany
Chapter IX: The New Life
Chapter X: A Daring Flight in a Storm
Chapter XI: Our First Night Flight
Chapter XII: The Masurian Revelation
Chapter XIII: How We Conquered Mecklenburg
Chapter XIV: The Fall of Br�ning
Chapter XV: A Memorable Night
Chapter XVI: Versatility on the Battlefield
Chapter XVII: The Thirteenth of August
Chapter XVIII: The House on the Hill
Chapter XIX: Our Movement Proves Its Mettle
Chapter XX: The Youth under the Swastika
Chapter XXI: Interlude
Chapter XXII: In the Kaiserhof
Chapter XXIII: How Our Leader Dictates
Chapter XXIV: Where is Hitler?
Chapter XXV: The Last Man
Chapter XXVI: Interlude in Cologne
Chapter XXVII: The Turn of the Tide Begins in Lippe
Chapter XXVIII: How the Movement Pierced the Barriers to the State
Chapter XXIX: State and Party
Chapter XXX: The Artistic Side of Adolf Hitler's Nature
Chapter XXXI: Nationalisation
