I love this recording and the longer recordings of Hitler speeches because all that is left in popular memory is the wild screams and crescendos that he would use at the end of his speeches. When you read accounts at the time people would talk about Hitler always starting quietly making you listen, and then slowly building up the pitch in the further of his meetings. They described as almost hypnotic. There’s a great fictional series that was done on Amazon – the man in the high castle – where they really leaned into this with their portrayal of Hitler.
There’s a lot of value in studying how leaders convince and control the masses.
If i recall correctly, there is also a part in the transcript where he admits he just didn’t know Russias true strength, and he never would have invaded had he known. Remarkably different language than he used at the time.
> If i recall correctly, there is also a part in the transcript where he admits he just didn’t know Russias true strength, and he never would have invaded had he known. Remarkably different language than he used at the time.
In the recording linked here he says (around the 8 min mark), while talking about Russia's strength in terms of the amount of tanks: "Had I known this my heart would have been even heavier but I would have made the decision even more so because I did not have another option".
Hitler had (poor) intelligence that the Soviets had thousands of tanks (they actually had more than the germans thought); he refused to believe that such a 'backwards' country could have such a strong modern military however.
Ah, I haven't come across this recording in some time - it's good to be reminded of it. The phrase is overused but given the rarity of hearing the man in anything other than full-tilt harangue, the recording really does represent the "banality of evil," comparatively speaking.
Put another way, it truly is strange (and a bit chilling, almost) to hear Hitler without mustache.
I understand what you mean citing Arendt, but unlike Eichmann, what strikes me about this recording of Hitler is how eerily charismatic he comes across with the deep and sober voice, contrasted by Mannerheim's accented and presumably somewhat strained German. Hitler really respected Mannerheim though, as I understand. Maybe that plays a part too.
So this article claims the conversation was covertly recorded, while the Wikipedia-article claims the opposite : the clearly visible microphone was used for an official recording and the recorder(!) kept it running afterwards.
Open mic recording after people expected to be closed is definitely a thing. The Russians in particular are famous for ensuring that Mike’s are almost always hot recorded, and then distributed to friendly sources after events of big meetings have occurred. Condi Rice, apparently read Putin the riot act, which was one of the things that soured the American/Russian relationship early on. They also did it to Hillary Clinton, who had a very similar response.
Because he didn't want to be recorded in a natural setting. His public image was very well managed.
* In the early years of his leadership of the NSDAP there were no pictures of him because he didn't let people take pictures of him.
* He never married (until the end) because he thought he would appeal more to women if he was a bachelor and would enhanced the idea that he was fully dedicated to Germany.
* There are pictures of him practicing his dramatic expressions. His photographer was supposed to destroy them, but he disobeyed and kept the photos. That is, he wasn't spontaneous, he practiced his poses a lot.
* He would exercise his right arm. Apparently holding your arm up is quite exhausting and he wanted to give strong and long salutes at marches.
(BTW, the reason he had a toothbrush mustache (even though many advised him to shave it because it provided cannon fodder for caricaturists) is because he thought his nose was big and a mustache distracted from it.)
> (BTW, the reason he had a toothbrush mustache (even though many advised him to shave it because it provided cannon fodder for caricaturists) is because he thought his nose was big and a mustache distracted from it.)
Actually it was a common mustache style through the 1940s. It marked the wearer as a WWI trench veteran as it would fit under the gas mask. Until the outbreak of conflict with Germany in 1938 it was quite common in the UK and France as well as Germany, Austria, and Italy, as can easily be verified by any number of contemporaneous photos. Note that the toothbrush mustache was worn by veterans of all classes in Peaky Blinders, for example.
The small mustache actually accentuated the size of his nose, but he was proud (and it was valuable) for him to be a veteran.
The mustache was branding. It was a fashion trend, made so by Charlie Chaplin. Of course, it became so much associated with Hitler, that any mustache now is immediately hitleresque.
Came to say the same. Another example: While H. was (at least at times) wearing glasses, I don't think there's a single photo or film recording showing him with glasses.
Readit News
There’s a lot of value in studying how leaders convince and control the masses.
If i recall correctly, there is also a part in the transcript where he admits he just didn’t know Russias true strength, and he never would have invaded had he known. Remarkably different language than he used at the time.
In the recording linked here he says (around the 8 min mark), while talking about Russia's strength in terms of the amount of tanks: "Had I known this my heart would have been even heavier but I would have made the decision even more so because I did not have another option".
https://youtu.be/4GtQEGJjqGI?si=W9RUaVbOEOyWFpIx
I have no affiliation and no idea of the reputation of this site.
Edit: This is the audio of the transcript you posted: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClR9tcpKZec
Put another way, it truly is strange (and a bit chilling, almost) to hear Hitler without mustache.
Ironic in this situation that Mannerheim hated him.
The article suggests the microphone was hidden.
Edit: there's a wiki about it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitler_and_Mannerheim_recordin...
* In the early years of his leadership of the NSDAP there were no pictures of him because he didn't let people take pictures of him.
* He never married (until the end) because he thought he would appeal more to women if he was a bachelor and would enhanced the idea that he was fully dedicated to Germany.
* There are pictures of him practicing his dramatic expressions. His photographer was supposed to destroy them, but he disobeyed and kept the photos. That is, he wasn't spontaneous, he practiced his poses a lot.
* He would exercise his right arm. Apparently holding your arm up is quite exhausting and he wanted to give strong and long salutes at marches.
(BTW, the reason he had a toothbrush mustache (even though many advised him to shave it because it provided cannon fodder for caricaturists) is because he thought his nose was big and a mustache distracted from it.)
Actually it was a common mustache style through the 1940s. It marked the wearer as a WWI trench veteran as it would fit under the gas mask. Until the outbreak of conflict with Germany in 1938 it was quite common in the UK and France as well as Germany, Austria, and Italy, as can easily be verified by any number of contemporaneous photos. Note that the toothbrush mustache was worn by veterans of all classes in Peaky Blinders, for example.
The small mustache actually accentuated the size of his nose, but he was proud (and it was valuable) for him to be a veteran.
There was magnetic wire recording technology, which was relatively compact, but the amps still needed tubes and the machine hardly concealable.