About the Author

Timothy W. Ryback is the author of "The Last Survivor: Legacies of Dachau, " a "New York Times" Notable Book for 1999. He has written for "The Atlantic Monthly, The New Yorker," "The Wall Street Journal, "and "The New York Times." He is cofounder and codirector of the Institute for Historical Justice and Reconciliation and lives in Paris with his wife and three children.

Reviews

"Fascinating."
"-Washington Post Book World "Best Nonfiction of 2008
"In "Hitler's Private Library" Timothy Ryback turns Hitler's reading into a way of reading Hitler-his mind, his obsessions, his evolution. It's an original and provocative work that adds valuable context to the skeletal and mystifying historical record."
-Ron Rosenbaum, author of "Explaining Hitler
"""Hitler's Private Library" is a meticulously researched and highly original focus on one of history's most enigmatic figures. Timothy W. Ryback shines his laser-like perceptions into the library and mind of Adolf Hitler in a way no previous book has done. Anyone even vaguely interested in the uses and misuses of 'a little bit of knowledge' and ideology will marvel-and shudder-at Ryback's riveting insights."
-Steven Bach, author of "LENI: The Life and Work of Leni Riefenstahl
""Remarkably absorbing . . . A tantalizing glimpse into Hitler's . . . self-improvement program."
-Jacob Heilbrunn, " The New York Times Book Review
""Fascinating . . ." Hitler's Private Library "will appeal to anyone interested in what books mean to us, and is 'must' reading for anyone who doubts the power of written words to sway the human imagination toward good or evil."
-R. V. Scheide, "Sacramento News & Review "Best Books of 2008
"Sensitively handled . . . and intelligently presented . . . Ryback's portrait is both original and rewarding."
-John Gross, " New York Review of Books"
"Fascinating . . . Timothy Ryback writes gracefully, and the story he weaves around the books from Hitler's private libraries . . . offers fresh perspectives . . . Deftly, and with an economy of words, he sketches the future dictator's transition from young volunteer to bitter and hardened soldier."
-Charles A. Radin, "The Boston Globe"
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""Elegantly written, meticulously researched, fascinating . . . thought-provoking . . . Ryback has produced a valuable short addition to attemptso

"In "Hitler's Private Library" Timothy Ryback turns Hitler's reading into a way of reading Hitler-his mind, his obsessions, his evolution. It's an original and provocative work that adds valuable context to the skeletal and mystifying historical record."
-Ron Rosenbaum, author of "Explaining Hitler
"""Hitler's Private Library" is a meticulously researched and highly original focus on one of history's most enigmatic figures. Timothy W. Ryback shines his laser-like perceptions into the library and mind of Adolf Hitler in a way no previous book has done. Anyone even vaguely interested in the uses and misuses of 'a little bit of knowledge' and ideology will marvel-and shudder-at Ryback's riveting insights."
-Steven Bach, author of "LENI: The Life and Work of Leni Riefenstahl
""Elegantly written, meticulously researched, fascinating . . . thought-provoking . . . Ryback has produced a valuable short addition to attempts to understand this strange man whose impact on the world was so baleful."
-Ian Kershaw," The New York Sun
""Audacious and original."
-"Library Journal
""Intriguing . . . Ryback is not the first to study Hitler's marginalia, but he does make the perfect guide, intelligent, well-informed, and careful."
-Douglas Smith," The Seattle Times
""Crisply written . . . thoroughly engrossing . . . fascinating."
-Michael Dirda," Book World"
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""Approaching Hitler from an unexpected angle, Timothy Ryback isn't adding a gimmicky volume to the vast bibliography: he's shedding more light on the man than I have found in many full-dress studies . . . irresistible."
-John Wilson," Christianity Today"
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""Ryback paints an unusually vivid andnuanced portrait of the dictator . . . Ryback offers a unique view of Hitler's intellectual life."
"-Publishers Weekly
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"Adds fresh color and texture to the evolving, increasingly detailed portrait of der Fuhrer."
"-Kirkus
""An interesting glimpse at an often-neglected facet of Hitler's personality."
"-Booklist "