FORGOTTEN INTERVIEWS WITH HITLER 1923-1940

From his rise to political prominence in 1923 to the defeat of France in 1940, Hitler manipulated the democratic press as no other dictator had ever done before. To complete and often to counterbalance his innumerable speeches, he granted interviews to journalists, most often chosen deliberately, in order to appease Western public opinion regarding the reality of his goals and the ruthless way they were being pursued. Although hundreds of thousands of printed pages have been devoted to the Fuhrer for more than 70 years, these interviews given to the top American, British and French journalists of the time have never been published, save for a handful of quotes. Yet they are crucial, as much for what they dissimulate and for what they reveal.

They are published here for the first time. Eric Branca has selected the 16 most significant ones (out of about 30). He has translated them and carefully introduced and annotated them. In addition, he has written an
introductory chapter entitled “Hitler and the foreign press. A history of fascination”. It demonstrates what a hold Hitler had over the West as he rose to power.

A historian and journalist, Eric Branca has written several successful books including the very well-received L'ami américain: Washington contre de Gaulle (1940-1969) (The American friend: Washington against de
Gaulle) published by Perrin in 2017.