The Hitler Virus cover art

The Hitler Virus

The Insidious Legacy of Adolf Hitler
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The Hitler Virus

By: Peter Wyden
Narrated by: Robin Sachs
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About this listen

In spring 1945, as the Russians moved on Berlin and it became clear the Nazi cause was lost, Adolf Hitler assured his most trusted henchmen that even if he were to die, "the seed of National Socialism will grow again one day [in]…a radiant rebirth." Several times after the war, the distinguished author Peter Wyden, himself a victim of the Nazis, returned to Germany to discover, to his dismay, that Hitler's prediction was all too true. In this unsettling audiobook, Wyden documents the reality that the "Hitler virus" is still very much alive. A harrowing companion to Daniel Goldhagen's Hitler's Willing Executioners, this book is Wyden's legacy to the world.

©2001 Peter Wyden (P)2012 Audible, Inc. Military War Holocaust Imperialism Prisoners of War

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Editor reviews

Peter Wyden, author of The Hitler Virus: The Insidious Legacy of Adolf Hitler has firsthand experience with the Nazis. This audiobook explores how Hitler's ideology and persona have managed to haunt society even to this day. Robin Sach's performance of this text is chilling. His clear diction helps listeners understand the way National Socialism has become viral in sophisticated cultures, even in modern-day Germany where experts once thought such ideology had been all but wiped out.
All stars
Most relevant  
This book was published in 2000 and whilst most of it remains relevant today, it certainly doesn't take into account the actions of the EU's 'Open Door' policy regarding immigration, which has no doubt led to a massive rise in fascism and anti-immigration feelings throughout Europe.

What an eye opener!

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this book was informative, interesting, and compelling to listen to. I highly recommend this book. The narrator was very good.

Wow....

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I found this narrative totally engrossing, highly erudite and insightful. Fascism remains a menace today almost as much as in the 1920s as indicated by the sharp move to the Right in several European countries.

Highly illuminating examination the continuing threat of Fascism in Germany

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This is a very carefully researched history and a fascinating read. Don't be put off by the seemingly sensational title and the swastika on the cover. After reading the book, I realised that "The Hitler Virus" is actually an apt title.
The book was researched over several decades, so as to include survivors and former Nazis who were still alive in the 1980s etc.
I appreciate the careful descriptions of the interviewees which bring the scenes to life. The author in some cases built up his connection with the witnesses over years, so many are not strangers being questioned.
We visit Hitler's Eagle's Nest residence, now a tourist attraction and learn new insights about that evil man himself.
We learn how individual former Nazis escaped to faraway countries and how they were in many cases assisted, and how some continued in influential positions. Particularly moving and of significance to the author is the story of Dagmar, who struggled to eventually come to terms with her own father and his horrific crimes against humanity. More recent Neo-Nazi movements and Holocaust deniers are also discussed, and people who were captivated by Hitler's memory - the Hitler virus of the title, in fact.
The Author, Peter Wyden, supplies a scattering of personal insights from his Jewish, Berlin childhood onwards, that contribute to bringing the story to life.
The story is highly relevant in the present day and the Far Right certainly hasn't gone away.

History Book: The Insidious Legacy of Adolf Hitler

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fascinating but depressing. However, a necessary book for all. One i will revisit. Worth reading now in our current climate.

excellent

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An extremely well put together book that is challenging in its very plausible case. Perhaps the only downside is that the delivery was quite understandably flat and emotionless and hence not always easy to focus on.

Challenging

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couldn't stop listening to this it was mesmerising. what a story. I loved it.

brilliant

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Very interesting and great performance. Narrator occasionally does accents but it's not cringe like most affectations tend to be. Unfortunately it's very relevant to our current times.

Great book

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A very insightful book, enjoyed every aspect of the this book, and well narrated book that keeps your attention at all times.

Excellent reading

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Neo-Nazism pervaded (capitalist) West Germany from 1945-1991 but this author plays this down. Instead, he perpetuates the myth that (Socialist) East Germany perpetuated fascism within its borders between 1945-1991 by the very act of 'Stasi' suppressing its movement (by arresting, trying and imprisoning anyone found guilty of perpetuating neo-Nazim) was somehow 'encouraging' its presence! It is these neo-Nazi thugs that were dealt with by the Stasi the US claim were 'victims' of a brutal 'Communist' regime! The author quite rightly records and exposes the continued presence of Nazism within Germany but continuously fails to ascribe this presence to the correct historical or political context. He makes the further error of assicisting Zionist Israel with local Jewish populations as if one reflects the other! The UN has issued a record number of resolutions against Israeli crimes including rape, torture, murder and terrorist persecution of the Palestinian people (declaring Zionism a form of White Supremacy in 1975) whilst simultaneously issuing resolutions protecting Jewish populations around the globe from similar fascistic persecution. This author obviously chooses to ignore the inherent connection between capitalism and fascism - revealing a bias that he himself held whilst writing a book.

By-Passes the Link Between Capitalism and Fascism

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