Have you ever read the book Mein Kampf?

Question

nightdrot · Accepted Answer

Yes, as a student of history - and World War II in particular - as well as of political philosophy, I thought it important to read Mein Kempf. So I read it some years ago.

Truth is, as a "read," it is quite turgid and a slog. As a work of political philosophy, it is problematic and, suffice to say, its' consequences were horrifying, to say no more.

That said, the advantage in reading it is that it allows an individual to grasp the various stands of political philosophy operative in the culture and to understand the meaning of words that too often get thrown around with insufficient thought and more vitriol and reason.

Thus the conflation of things like Fascism and National Socialism. They are NOT the same things. Thus the identification of National Socialism with the extreme right as opposed to the extreme left. After all, it was Hitler who said, "I'm a socialist but a very different kind of socialist than your rich friend Count Reventlow."

American politics is, particularly at the moment, plagued by a class of citizens and politicians who slog around words with little grasp of their real meaning and therefore equally little grasp of their consequences. See also the accusation that American liberals are "socialists." See also President Biden's vile slur that "MAGA Republicans" are "semi-Fascists."

We are slaves to the words we use and therefore words should be used carefully and with a fullness of their meaning. By reading Mein Kempf - and again, believe me, as a read there was little pleasure in delving into its' turgid writing and appalling philosophy - I was able to get a greater sense of the philosophy that Hitler was espousing as well as get a sense of the personality of the man who was espousing it.

It was no fun, but absolutely worth the time. More Americans, assuming that they would be sufficiently educated to read it with a critical and historically aware mind - by no means an absolute guarantee - would profit by reading Mein Kempf. A book whose consequences still resound to this day.

andreasderjuengere · Accepted Answer

Both, in German and the English translation.

The book is so much demonized and ''taboo''-ed that only in my late 40's I wanted to know what's REALLY inside.

Knowing what happened later on in Europe I was slightly surprised how openly Hitler already announced in '25 how to take the piss out of Germany - and still got into power.

A good co-read to this one would be ''The International Jew'' and ''the Protocols of the Elders of Zion'' (yes, I also read these).

Topaz1979 · Accepted Answer

I have 0 interest in reading it because I feel like it's going to upset me and then give me high blood pressure at 22.

menina · Accepted Answer

Nope. Why would I waste my time reading a book about hate and nonsense?

Dargil · Answer

Hitler's. "My Fight". I read it in high school back when they used to give you an education in history. Now they're just brainwashing about whatever communist bull crap they want to tell you about today.

ALPHABLACK · Answer

Not yet but since my wife filed a fake case on me for money and it's been 4 years in court and God only knows how many years ahead I have all the time I need  Maybe I will give it a try

NamerOfStars · Answer

Of course. You need to understand an idea if you're going to argue against it.

Cubus · Answer

I heard it's kinda hard to get. Even if found online it is a bit risky, because it is said some people monitor who searches for such stuff. But I seen their manifesto and political positions.

RavVid · Answer

I got bored and didn't read all of it. It was mostly populist complaints as I remember but could get people in.

Agape93 · Answer

Nope. I don't have the desire to read the hateful ramblings of a failed ruler.

Guy13 · Answer

Yes and between that Red 📕 Book (Jung) and Ingles, I’m living in all those hell holes 🕳

Still-alive · Answer

I feel like a lot of people mainly dudes on here love the ideas in that book 😏

Anonymous · Answer

I've glanced at it in the bookstore, but I would never read it.

abc3643 · Answer

No, but Trump has. I am serious.

HippieVeganJewslim · Answer

Nein, aber ich will es lesen!

Messiking · Answer

I prefer mainecraft 😊

MCheetah · Answer

Not yet.

CloudMassacre · Answer

I haven’t

Have you ever read the book Mein Kampf?

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