Too often the biographies are indigestible: hundreds of pages crammed with details and anecdotes accumulated indiscriminately. Here, however in this series of observations Sebastian Haffner, we follow a simple plan, clear and presented honestly (unconcealed). The German title "Anmerkungen auf Hitler" clearly indicates that it is to build a portrait, a representation from the real historical elements (facts, actions and reactions, observed and deciphered) taking into account the items already in our current brain and especially focusing reflection. And finally, beautiful paradox is obtained in seven chapters clear, smartest biographies! Sebastian Haffner we had in French "History of a German" another try, this time autobiographical, which tells with great sensitivity and insight how it was possible for intelligent people to become yet receptive to Nazi speeches in years before the war: it describes and analyzes very well the frightening mechanism of "camaraderie" and difficulty to resist (before 1933). Both books give the possibility to leave the Manichaean clichés when it comes to think about what dramatic Vingième century Europe. There is no question of speaking of "truth" (the author himself maintains an across the distrust of his proposals, but that does not stop him from everything to be compelling) and it may even spot inaccuracies are identified by experts in a particular page. Even I, who am not a historian, I looked soucils to certain statements (eg the superiority of the RAF at the beginning of the Battle of Britain! Really?) But I do not like to nitpick and this alter the essence of the approach. Nit-pickers refrain: this book invites you to move forward, not to trample. Breaks appetite to learn, not always chew the same gum given to deceive your desires to understand.
