Hitler: Diagnosis of a Destructive ProphetAdolf Hitler unleashed a nightmare of terror in Europe that changed the course of history and forever altered our conception of human nature. But how is it possible to understand Hitler? Hitler: Diagnosis of Destruction begins to answer that question by providing the first analysis of Hitler's life by a trained MD and practicing psychiatrist. Fritz Redlich, MD, provides a full-length biography of Hitler, focusing especially on his medical and mental history and showing us precisely how Hitler's physical and mental health influenced his beliefs and behavior. Redlich engages a host of fascinating questions. Was there a history of mental illness in Hitler's family? Did he suffer from congenital abnormalities? Did he contract syphilis as a young man? What bizarre role did that disease play in his anti-Semitism? What is the history of Hitler's amphetamine abuse? Did he suffer from Parkinson's disease? Drawing upon medical records of Hitler's World War I injuries andsubsequent illnesses, combined with a penetrating exploration of Hitler's writings, Redlich offers new insight into Hitler's vision of himself as a prophetic leader. The final chapter offers a psychiatric portrait of Hitler, and it is here that Redlich's analysis reveals the highly combustible mixture of denial, projection, sexual repression, paranoid delusion, and narcissistic rage that transformed Hitler from an aimless, friendless, and vaguely resentful youth into the most destructive force of the twentieth century. Complete with illustrations, critical medical reports by Hitler's personal physicians, and a medical glossary, this book brings to light the darkest recesses of one of the world's most impenetrable minds. |
What people are saying - Write a review
We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.
Contents
Family and Childhood | 5 |
Vienna | 25 |
Review Comments and Interpretations | 221 |
Copyright | |
7 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
able According Adolf Hitler aggression Allies anti-Semitism army assumed attack August became become behavior believed blood British called caused cited concern considered critical death described destruction developed diagnosis disease early established evidence examination existed expressed extremely fact father feelings felt forced Führer German glucose Goebbels head Himmler ideas important injection interest Italy Jewish Jews July Kampf killed knew knowledge Kubizek later laws leader live major March masses Mein Kampf military Monologues Morell Munich Mussolini National Socialist never noted observed occurred October organization particularly Party patients period person physician plans political possible pressure Professor question received referred Reich relationship remained remark reported result Russian severe sexual social speech statements strong suffered symptoms Third tion treatment wanted World York
Bibliographic information
| Title | Hitler: Diagnosis of a Destructive Prophet Diagnosis of a Destructive Prophet |
| Authors | Fredrick Carl Redlich, Fritz Redlich |
| Edition | illustrated, reprint |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press, 2000 |
| Original from | Pennsylvania State University |
| Digitized | Jun 3, 2009 |
| ISBN | 0195136314, 9780195136319 |
| Length | 448 pages |
| Subjects | › › › Biography & Autobiography / Historical History / Modern / 20th Century / General Psychology / General |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |