Member-only story

John Lukacs: The Hitler of History

Wayne Carter

·6.7k Followers· Follow

Published in The Hitler Of History John Lukacs

4 min read

394 View Claps

66 Respond

Save

Listen

John Lukacs was a Hungarian-American historian who wrote extensively about the Holocaust and World War II. He is best known for his book The Hitler of History, which argues that Hitler was not a madman but a rational actor who deliberately planned and executed the Holocaust.

The Hitler of History

by John Lukacs

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1523 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	343 pages

Lukacs was born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1924. He emigrated to the United States in 1946 and became a naturalized citizen in 1953. He taught history at several universities, including Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Johns Hopkins University.

Lukacs's work is characterized by its clear and concise prose, its deep understanding of European history, and its willingness to challenge conventional wisdom. He was a prolific writer, publishing over 30 books and hundreds of articles.

Lukacs's most famous book, The Hitler of History, was published in 1997. In this book, Lukacs argues that Hitler was not a madman but a rational actor who deliberately planned and executed the Holocaust. Lukacs bases his argument on a close reading of Hitler's speeches and writings, as well as on the testimony of those who knew him.

Lukacs's book was controversial when it was first published, but it has since become widely accepted by historians. It is now considered one of the most important works on the Holocaust ever written.

In addition to The Hitler of History, Lukacs wrote several other important books, including The Last European War, Budapest 1945, and The End of the Twentieth Century. He also wrote a number of essays on historical topics, which were collected in the volumes Historical Consciousness and The Duel.

Lukacs died in 2019 at the age of 94. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne, and his two children, Andrew and Susanna.

Legacy

John Lukacs was one of the most important historians of the 20th century. His work has helped us to understand the Holocaust and World War II in new ways. He was a brilliant writer and a clear thinker, and his work will continue to be read and studied for many years to come.

* John Lukacs, The Hitler of History (New York: Vintage Books, 1997). * John Lukacs, The Last European War (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1976). * John Lukacs, Budapest 1945 (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1985). * John Lukacs, The End of the Twentieth Century (New York: Basic Books, 1993). * John Lukacs, Historical Consciousness (New York: HarperCollins, 2004). * John Lukacs, The Duel (New York: Encounter Books, 2009).

The Hitler of History

by John Lukacs

4.2 out of 5