Year 136
Adolf Hitler
I’m not worthy to speak up for Adolf Hitler, and to any sentimental rousing his life and deeds do not invite.
Hitler was a warrior, a warrior for humankind and a preacher of the gospel of justice for all nations. He was a reforming character of the highest order, and his historical fate was that he functioned in a time of unequaled brutality, which in the end failed him.
Thus may the ordinary Western European look at Adolf Hitler. And we, his close followers, bow our heads at his death.
-Obituary for Adolf Hitler by Knut Hamsun (1945)
We shall never forget this man and await his return.
Hail Hitler
Occasionally, I am asked “if you could meet one person in history”, or ” if you could have dinner with one person in history”, or any such version of that question, I say “Pass”. However, my answer would be this man, Adolf Hitler. But to utter his name out loud brings reproach. I do think next time I will say his name. Out loud. With no apology.