Living with Hitler by Herbert Dohring, et al.
- Katina, Area Librarian
- Dec 18, 2018
- 3 min read
It’s a strange undertaking to read a book in which someone tries to impress upon you Hitler’s humanity. Or that it was Poland and not Nazi Germany that was the aggressor in World War II.
But it happens at times when you read accounts of those who knew Adolf Hitler particularly well, here, his household staff.
In Living with Hitler: Accounts of Hitler’s Household Staff, three of Hitler’s domestic servants at his Bavarian retreat, the Berghof, recount what life was like working for the German dictator whose rule would destroy much of Europe, embroil the world in war, and cause the deaths of millions of innocent people.
In Living with Hitler, one gets a glimpse of Hitler as he interacts with military subordinates, foreign dignitaries, and his household staff, as relayed through the memoirs of and through interviews with Krause, his valet; Dohring, his housekeeper; and Plaim, a chambermaid.
Living with Hitler is an interesting look at life at the Berghof, everything from Hitler’s daily routines and Spartan lifestyle to his relationship with Eva Braun are discussed, all by front-row witnesses. It informs on other weightier matters such as Hitler’s decision to halt the advance on Dunkirk to his relationship with Stalin.
It also offers insight on the staff themselves.
In the introduction to Living with Hitler, Roger Moorhouse writes of the three Berghof servants, “the answer to the question ‘what did they know about the Nazis’ crimes?’ is, frustratingly, ‘not very much.’” This might be true during their time at the Berghof, but certainly not decades later.
Even so, Krause seems to exonerate Hitler to some degree.
He blames Hitler for Germany’s fate after the war, but tries to convey that Hitler was easily manipulated and that it was his underlings who were responsible for the deaths and devastation of World War II, not Hitler himself. We’re to believe that this was not what Hitler wanted, despite Mein Kampf, despite his fiery speeches. He also writes that Hitler was “a man of principle” because he was loyal to Mercedes Benz.
He wants to set the record straight as regards “the so-called diaries of Eva Braun,” because if the world is judging, we should have an accurate picture of what we are judging, but he doesn’t really allude to Nazi atrocities during World War II, which is frustrating.
One has to remember that this book is a book of memories about life at the Berghof, which was somewhat idyllic, about observations and impressions, even if politics are inserted to a degree.
Still, not all of Hitler’s former staff are as forgiving, as illustrated by Plaim’s concluding remarks.
In an interview, she is asked, “Were you sorry about the death of Hitler and Eva Braun?”
Her response: “No. The misery Hitler brought to this world makes me not regret his death for one second.”
That says something.
Living with Hitler: Accounts of Hitler’s Household Staff is available from the library.
Rating: *** stars (I liked it!)
- Katina, Area Librarian
ARE YOU AND THIS BOOK A GOOD MATCH? DISCOVER MORE WITH NOVELIST APPEALS! Living with Hitler
GENRE: History Writing; Life Stories; Translations WRITING STYLE: Compelling; Richly Detailed LOCATION: Germany SUBJECT: Berghof; Bodyguards; Herbert Dohring; Adolf Hitler; Household Employees; Karl Wilheim Krause; Nazis; Anna Plaim; Valets
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