Excellent tale of Hitler and his relationship with his beautiful young half-niece, Geli Rabaul, and her eventual suicide or covered-up murder. Very plausible account. Good insights into warped psyche of Hitler. ( )

Easy read, more about Hitler. If you are interested in Hitler, you will enjoy the book. ( )

Hansen makes no bones about how he feels about the characters in his books. In fiction, the rule is to "show, not tell", but Hansen tells. He lets you know right off just how you should feel about a person. For this reason, initially I thought this book read more like a young adult novel than a full-on fictionalized biography for adults. It is only because I prefer to finish what I start that I ultimately gave it more credit.

The story is about Angelika Raubal, the daughter of Adolf Hitler's half-sister, known affectionately as Geli (pronounce it "gaily"). Adolf first met her when she was a baby, then saw her occasionally as she grew, and became fond of her. By the time she was 19 she was living with him, yet the true nature of their relationship was the subject of much speculation. It appears that many assumed that the two were lovers.

Hansen steps into this question without any doubts. He presents Geli as a spirited young woman with an intelligent mind of her own and a sense of fun. She is entranced by her charismatic uncle but never puts him on the pedestal others do. She continues to see him as a man, not a god. She is happy to have his attention for some time, happy to be provided for handsomely, but over time she becomes wary. When he asks or tells her to do things that bother her, she has no problem saying so. Hitler's own feelings toward Geli override his dissatisfaction with her reactions most of the time, but ultimately her knowledge about him is a kind of power he does not want her to have.

Geli died at age 23, of a bullet wound in her chest. Her death was ruled a suicide after a hasty investigation, and many speculated that it was, instead, murder. Hansen provides his own version of the death, following his gut reading of the facts.

The book provides insight into the man who ruled Germany and sent millions to their deaths. For me it helped explain how he came to office - not just his charismatic personality and ability to speak, but his ability to customize his message to the audience brought millions to his side. His private personality as presented here did not surprise me but made me wonder how much documentation of his proclivities there is out there. I may read more.

As for Geli, this was the first time I had heard about her. We all know of Eva Braun but not so many knew of Geli, or, for that matter, Hitler's preference for younger women as well as his basic squeamishness about things sexual. I was also not aware of his reverence for his mother, which likely was the genesis of some of his odd sexual habits.

I found this to be a good introduction to the pre-war Hitler, offering some explanation of how it all started, how his reputation grew and how his party took over. It is also a touching story about a young woman born into the wrong family. ( )

I've read many reviews that sort of bashed the author and the story, which I admit had me going into this book with much hesitation. However, I decided to listen to myself and I read the book in several hours, for I enjoyed it.

The depravity of Hitler is all too apparent and I had to praise the author for describing him and his actions so well. More than once, I had a shiver go down my spine or I felt physically sick. Geli had my sympathy except in the moments where she almost seemed like she was truly enjoying the attentions of her uncle, who is shown as socially inadequate, irritable, abusive and demented. His awkwardness with women is mind-blowing and when you see how he treats them is disgraceful. Though he is quite settled in his anti-semite ways, he has not achieved his full transformation yet. This is in the late twenties and very early thirties, when the world was still getting to know him. His love for Geli is absolutely terrifying and all consuming, yet everyone envies the attention and gifts he lavishes on her. All she longs to do is live her life and perhaps get married before she's a spinster.

When it's revealed Hitler's molesting her, that is when his even more depraved side begins to show. By then, it's too late for Geli to escape his grasp and no one, even if they wanted to, could have saved her.

However, when she meets her death, which, though I'm certain you know she dies; I will not say how. You cannot help but feel terribly for her. It seemed as though everyone's back was turned on her, leaving her truly alone with only Hitler there--the one person whose attention she didn't want.

Even after her death, the loyalty to Hitler is undeniable and unchanging by most--including her own mother, despite the mysterious circumstances surrounding her death. ( )

I've read many reviews that sort of bashed the author and the story, which I admit had me going into this book with much hesitation. However, I decided to listen to myself and I read the book in several hours, for I enjoyed it.

The depravity of Hitler is all too apparent and I had to praise the author for describing him and his actions so well. More than once, I had a shiver go down my spine or I felt physically sick. Geli had my sympathy except in the moments where she almost seemed like she was truly enjoying the attentions of her uncle, who is shown as socially inadequate, irritable, abusive and demented. His awkwardness with women is mind-blowing and when you see how he treats them is disgraceful. Though he is quite settled in his anti-semite ways, he has not achieved his full transformation yet. This is in the late twenties and very early thirties, when the world was still getting to know him. His love for Geli is absolutely terrifying and all consuming, yet everyone envies the attention and gifts he lavishes on her. All she longs to do is live her life and perhaps get married before she's a spinster.

When it's revealed Hitler's molesting her, that is when his even more depraved side begins to show. By then, it's too late for Geli to escape his grasp and no one, even if they wanted to, could have saved her.

However, when she meets her death, which, though I'm certain you know she dies; I will not say how. You cannot help but feel terribly for her. It seemed as though everyone's back was turned on her, leaving her truly alone with only Hitler there--the one person whose attention she didn't want.

Even after her death, the loyalty to Hitler is undeniable and unchanging by most--including her own mother, despite the mysterious circumstances surrounding her death. ( )