First book review of "Artist Within the Warlord"

By Raymond Goodwin

RARE IS ANY CREDIBLE LITERATURE DEALING WITH ADOLF HITLER – the man, and his time on the stage of history. There are, of course, tons of articles and books written about that, but the key word in the lead sentence is “credible.” Anyone who has any ability to think for themselves knows that any such writing is automatically “qualified” right off the bat by letting the reader know that Adolf Hitler was the most vile, evil, megalomaniac who ever lived. And what follows that introduction is nothing but Cinderella fairy-tales that are worthless in any CREDIBLE study of the man and his era. See the message under the photo on page 128 about a false statement from a Dr. Ferdinand Sauerbruch, explained as “it was the style of the time after the war to make up wild stories about Adolf Hitler.”

Thus it is most refreshing to come across, in today’s world, a first-person account of a crucial part of Hitler’s life that is not only most informative and entertaining, but startling in many ways, and certainly emotive – at least for this historian. I am referencing a new publication titled “The Artist Within The Warlord,” subtitled “An Adolf Hitler You’ve Never Known,” by Carolyn Yeager & Wilhelm Kriessmann, Ph.D. This 245-page publication is first-class writing, amply footnoted, graced with wonderful photos, and written in an easy, flowing style that should be the envy of any author.

Having been a revisionist historian and writer for several decades and considering myself well-informed on both der Fuehrer and his era, I must say that much of the information presented by Yeager and Kriessmann is new to me. And it adds many pieces that make up the massive jigsaw puzzle (thanks to so much FALSE history!) that is the National Socialist revolution and Germany’s fight for survival against insurmountable odds. Having written many articles about that era and other historical events, I have experienced being told by establishment history professors “I would question your sources.” But the greatest weapon in the arsenal of those writing to “bring history into accord with the facts” is a primary source. That would be someone who was THERE, who WITNESSED and LIVED the events. For me, I had the great fortune to meet and befriend Tyler Gatewood Kent, and learned first-hand from him the chicanery of Roosevelt and Churchill in dragging the USA into WW2 on the side of Stalin and his Bolshevik butchers. The man was THERE, he lived those moments, and wrote them down. Thus I had my primary source and could confidently write and BELIEVE what I had learned. And what we have here with “The Artist Within the Warlord” is even better substantiated as the unvarnished TRUTH. It was taken from a book written in the German language, and, of course, due to the nature of the topic, was not published until 1977.

Yeager and Kriessmann (Carolyn and Willi, if I may!) used as the basis for this historical goldmine, selections from “Ein Anderer Hitler,” the memoir of architect Hermann Giesler. Giesler, a Munich architect, from 1938 on became a confidant to whom Hitler could unburden himself in many private talks. Thus we have that first-person eyewitness to history as a source, the most valuable link to truth. When you couple that with the fact that the translator of Giesler’s book (Willi) was himself a first-person source of information from the same era, this book becomes even more valuable as a source of research and knowledge. But that is not all. One must consider that Carolyn Yeager is herself an accomplished researcher, historian, and writer, on many topics! Information on these three can be found on pages 244 and 245, and I would suggest you read those pages before starting the book, for they reinforce the validity of the information provided in the text. Their added commentary gives the reader additional explanations and much valuable knowledge.

There are several fascinating “nuggets” in this book, and as I mentioned earlier, much that was news to me. I may mention what shocked me the most in learning of what Giesler wrote is the level of treachery visited upon the Fuehrer as he tried to effect the salvation of his country in a battle against the world. Most are aware of “Valkyrie,” the assassination plot against Hitler in July of 1944. Not only does this book contain much detail and explanation of that operation and its aftermath, but mentions many other previous attempts against Hitler’s life previously unknown by most students of those monumental, eventful years. Emphasized by Hitler also is how much the treachery of high-level German military officers, betraying military plans to the enemy, contributed to the deaths of so many German fighting men. Learning of this, one is even more astounded that Germany was able to hold off the WORLD for four years. Another theme one comes to better understand – that National Socialism was a true “people’s revolution.”

Finally, one must consider the title of this fabulous work of research and dedication – “The Artist Within the Warlord.” Most know of Hitler’s love of architecture and art, and how well he understood what they meant to German culture. Though saddled with the obligation to defend his people from the relentless and savage onslaught by the destroyers of civilization, his one escape from the stress and angst of reports from the front was the rare times discussing architecture and art with Giesler and others. Reading this book, the thought occurs that perhaps the Fuehrer often thought, when confronted by news from the battlefields – “I hate this war and its interruption of my dream of building a magnificent Germany.” Or as one might say today – “I wish I was somewhere else.” But that genius also knew that Providence had placed him in the role he must play as the leader – to its conclusion.

A tip of the hat to Giesler, to Willi, and to Carolyn for adding this essential reference of research as well as striking a blow for truth. Your library is not complete without “The Artist Within the Warlord – An Adolf Hitler You’ve Never Known.” Reading expands the mind, which then never shrinks back to its previous limitations. Expand your mind while at the same time enjoying a fascinating read.

Ray Goodwin

January, 2018