What are the best sources for gaining insight into the motivations, plans, and beliefs of Hitler?

by MartinAlexander

I have been reading "Hitler's Table Talk" and some of Hitler's speeches (knowing that what's said in public and private often differs), but I'm wondering if there are other or better sources.

Thanks

Georgy_K_Zhukov

Start with Ian Kershaw's two volume biography on Hitler, "Hubris" and "Nemesis". This is perhaps the definitive history of the man. There also is an abridged single volume, but if you are looking for "dank sources", don't settle for anything less than the best.

After you've read that, and have some good contextualization for the thing, you might get some value from reading "Mein Kampf", and the "Second Book". The Table Talk as well is something I would place in this "read afterwards" category, since it really isn't the first thing you should jump into. Speer's "Inside the Third Reich" also can be included in this group, since it is perhaps the most insightful book from someone who worked closely with Hitler, but that is something you shouldn't read on its own either, so read that along with "Albert Speer: His Battle with Truth" by Gitta Sereny, cause while on the one had insightful, Speer also has a major case of selective amnesia on the other.

If you want a more general history, Richard J. Evans' "Third Reich Trilogy" is what you want to pick up. Exceptionally well done history of the Nazi regime, and also very readable for not none academic.