Fantasy and Failure Summary and Analysis

The author began with a look at Adolf Hitler's family. Hitler's father, in 1876, thirteen years before Hitler's birth, changed his name from Alois Schicklgruber to Alois Hitler. The author noted that "Heil Schicklgruber" doesn't have the same ring as "Heil Hitler." Hitler's father, Alois, was unloving and strict but his mother, having lost several children in infancy, was overly protective and might have been the only person Hitler really loved.

In part two, Hitler's was a good student, making good grades without putting out a great deal of effort. He enjoyed the American adventure series about Indians written by Karl May and, as leader of the German Army, insisted that his generals read these to improve their imaginations. As Hitler was about to embark on his secondary education, his only remaining living brother died. His half-brother was...