THE FIRST NAZI

General Erich Ludendorff assumed almost complete control of the German military in the First World War, dominating both his nominal superior, Hindenburg and, indeed, the Kaiser himself. He scorned any opportunity for peace, was possibly responsible for the American entry to the war, despatched Lenin to Russia precipitating the Russian Revolution and pushed for total victory in a final push before Germany collapsed.

Once the war was lost, he was instrumental in establishing the insidious myth that German defeat was due to a Jewish conspiracy. Soon forming an alliance with and befriending Hitler and endorsing the Nazis, it was his style of exercising power and strategic views that formed their methods and beliefs. Without him, it is likely that the Nazi party would not have developed in the form it did, and very possibly never have seized power in Germany, perhaps avoiding the Second World War.

This is serious history and the only major biography currently available that has a focus purely on Ludendorff, but a relatively short book which obviously helps. Apart from Duckworth in the UK, rights have been sold to Counterpoint in the US and in Italy, the Czech Republic and China.