Hitler and His Generals: Military Conferences 1942-1945

[Texas Jäger]

“Hitler and His Generals: Military Conferences 1942-1945”, a compilation of the stenographic writing of German military conferences, as the title suggest, by Helmut Heiber and David Glantz: is it reliable? I’m aware this would normally be considered a “primary source” but given immense evidence that’s come up against “Hitler’s Table Talks” and their reliability, are there any similar issues with this book?

[Mori]

“Hitler and His Generals: Military Conferences 1942-1945”, a compilation of the stenographic writing of German military conferences, as the title suggest, by Helmut Heiber and David Glantz: is it reliable? I’m aware this would normally be considered a “primary source” but given immense evidence that’s come up against “Hitler’s Table Talks” and their reliability, are there any similar issues with this book?

I recommend the edition with a critical introduction explaining how the conferences where recorded, and in some cases, reconstructed from whatever fragment were available.

The archival source has just been put online, if you want to know more. Check items #10 to #12 there: https://catalog.archives.gov/search?q=* ... Sort%20asc

[J. Duncan]

The recorded conferences were first published under the title “Hitler Directs His War” (Felix Gilbert) in 1951, reprinted early ‘70’s. This was only a sampling but still interesting. The Heiber book adds much more and is a huge work of many pages. I think Hitler even foretells his suicide in some of the later conferences. Still, these conversations with his military leadership are fascinating and open a window into the mind and thought processes of Hitler.

[Texas Jäger]

Thanks for the responses guys