Hitler 1936-1945: Nemesis

Description: Following the enormous success of 'Hitler: Hubris' this book triumphantly completes one of the great modern biographies. No figure in twentieth century history more clearly demands a close biographical understanding than Adolf Hitler; and no period is more important than the Second World War. Beginning with Hitler's startling European successes in the aftermath of the Rhineland occupation and ending nine years later with the suicide in the Berlin bunker, Kershaw allows us as never before to understand the motivation and the impact of this bizarre misfit. He addresses the crucial questions about the unique nature of Nazi radicalism, about the Holocaust and about the poisoned European world that allowed Hitler to operate so effectively. Table of Contents: Ceaseless radicalization; the drive for expansion; marks of a genocidal mentality; miscalculation; going for broke; licensing barbarism; zenith of power; designing a 'war of annihilation'; showdown; fulfilling the 'prophecy'; last big throw of the dice; beleaguered; hoping for miracles; luck of the devil; no way out; into the abyss; extinction. Prizes: Winner of British Academy Book Prize 2001. Author Biography: Ian Kershaw is Professor of Modern History at the University of Sheffield and one of the world's leading authorities on Hitler.