Plotting Hitler's Death

Plotting Hitler's Death chronicles the German resistance movement against Hitler and the Nazi regime from 1933-1945. The text examines both military and civilian attempts to overthrow the Third Reich, with particular focus on key figures like Colonel von Tresckow and Lieutenant Colonel von Stauffenberg. This historical account details the various assassination plots, their planning, and the complex web of conspirators involved. Fest documents the challenges faced by resistance members, including the lack of support from both German society and Allied forces. Fest analyzes the political climate of Nazi Germany and explores why many potential allies hesitated to support anti-Hitler initiatives. The book was published in 1994 to mark the 50th anniversary of the July 20 plot against Hitler. The narrative raises fundamental questions about moral courage, duty to country versus conscience, and the nature of resistance under totalitarian rule. These themes resonate beyond their historical context to inform modern discussions of political ethics and civil responsibility.

Readers describe this as a thorough but dense examination of German resistance movements against Hitler. The book provides details about numerous resistance groups and plots beyond just the July 20th assassination attempt. Readers appreciated: - Extensive research and documentation - Coverage of lesser-known resistance figures - Clear explanation of why certain plots failed - Context about German society and military hierarchy Common criticisms: - Writing style is dry and academic - Too many names and dates to follow easily - Some passages get bogged down in minutiae - Limited coverage of working-class resistance movements Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (179 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (31 ratings) Several readers noted they needed to take notes to keep track of the various people and events. One reviewer said "it reads more like a doctoral thesis than a narrative history." Multiple readers recommended starting with a simpler overview of the German resistance before tackling this book.

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🔸 Over 40 documented assassination attempts were made on Hitler's life during his time in power, with the July 20th plot being the closest to success. 🔸 Author Joachim Fest was one of Germany's leading Hitler biographers and served in the Wehrmacht during WWII, giving him unique insights into the military resistance movement. 🔸 The book reveals that many resistance members initially supported Hitler but turned against him after witnessing the regime's atrocities, particularly on the Eastern Front. 🔸 Claus von Stauffenberg, leader of the July 20th plot, had to modify the bomb's triggering mechanism with pliers because his war injuries left him with only three fingers on one hand. 🔸 The Gestapo's investigation following the July 20th plot led to approximately 7,000 arrests and 4,980 executions, decimating the German resistance movement.