After being seriously wounded in the 1939 Polish campaign; Rochus Misch was invited to join Hitler's SS-bodyguard. There he served until the war’s end as Hitler’s bodyguard; courier; orderly and finally as Chief of Communications. On the Berghof terrace he watched Eva Braun organize parties; observed Heinrich Himmler and Albert Speer; and monitored telephone conversations from Berlin to the East Prussian FHQ on 20 July 1944 after the attempt on Hitler's life. Towards the end Misch was drawn into the Führerbunker with the last of the ‘faithful’. As defeat approached; he remained in charge of the bunker switchboard as his duty required; even after Hitler committed suicide. Misch knew Hitler as the private man and his position was one of unconditional loyalty. His memoirs offer an intimate view of life in close attendance to Hitler and of the endless hours deep inside the bunker; and provide new insights into military events such as Hitler’s initial feelings that the 6th Army should pull out of Stalingrad. Shortly before he died Misch wrote a new introduction for this first-ever English-language edition. The book also contains a foreword by the Jewish author Ralph Giordano and a new introduction by Roger Moorhouse.
#5178087 in Books LEONAUR 2006-11-21Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x .81 x 5.51l; 1.16 #File Name: 1846771293308 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Another great story of a soldier of Napoleon's GuardBy Nicholas RobertsAnother great memoir of a French soldier in Napoleon's Imperial Guard. Written in a journal format (his father told him to keep one and what a good decision that was!) he describes life and the effects of war on both himself and the area around him. His descriptions are strong and visual and will keep you engaged throughout the whole book. Unlike Coignet; Barres did not fight in many of Napoleon's campaigns. He was shut up in Mainz during 1814; was not present at Waterloo and did not engage in the war in Russia. That however adds to his story because it gives you insight into the other areas of the wars that were of equal importance. The book continues past the Napoleonic Wars and goes until his death in the 1840s.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. There are betterBy LRSNot all takes place during Napoleonic times. Without going into minute criticisms I will just say it moves very fast and seems to be taken from a diary that has large gaps. The author was a successful soldier and did survive the wars probably a feat in itself.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. usellesBy vicentethis guy didn't saw much. strolling in paris waiting and polishing his boots. saw the emperor at some distance. hardly a memoir.
