Hitler's Vienna delves into the formative years of Adolf Hitler in Vienna, where he lived from 1906 to 1913 before moving to Munich at age twenty-four. This work presents a cultural and political portrait of the city, contrasting it with the modern, artistic image often associated with figures like Freud and Mahler. Instead, it reveals a city rife with fear and ethnic tension, where many rejected modernity as overly international and Jewish. This environment fostered racist political ideologies, exemplified by a parliament member's chilling remark about Jews. Brigitte Hamann captures the disturbing ideologies that permeated the Hapsburg capital, providing context for Hitler's development. She portrays him as a moody, curious, and painfully shy young man from the provinces, drawing on previously untapped sources, including personal accounts and records from homeless shelters where he spent nights. This comprehensive account illuminates how his experiences in Vienna shaped his future actions and beliefs. Hamann's work represents a significant contribution to the scholarship surrounding Hitler, offering insights into the influences that molded one of history's most notorious figures.
