The First Nazi : Erich Ludendorff, The Man Who Made Hitler Possible

"The authors deliver a chilling, well–researched biography that opens a whole new window on the world wars and the German psyche at the time."—Kirkus Reviews "A brilliant tactician and an abysmally poor politician and strategist, Ludendorff summed up the strengths and weaknesses of the German General Staff. His is a fascinating story of talent, discipline, obsession, and denial."—Professor Isabel Virginia Hull, PhD, Cornell University One of the most important military individuals of the last century, yet one of the least known, Ludendorff not only dictated all aspects of World War I, he refused all opportunities to make peace; he antagonized the Americans until they declared war; he sent Lenin into Russia to forge a revolution in order to shut down the Russian front; and in 1918 he pushed for total military victory, in a slaughter known as "The Ludendorff Offensive." Ludendorff created the legend that Germany had lost the war only because Jews had conspired on the home front. He forged an alliance with Hitler, endorsed the Nazis, and wrote maniacally about how Germans needed a new world war, to redeem the Fatherland. He aimed to build a gigantic state to dwarf even the British Empire. Simply stated, he wanted the world. General Erich Ludendorff was one of the most important military individuals of the last century, yet today, one of the least known. One of the top two German generals of World War I, Ludendorff dominated not only his superior-General Paul von Hindenburg-but also Germany's head of state, Kaiser Wilhelm II. For years, Ludendorff was the military dictator of Germany. Ludendorff not only dictated all aspects of World War I, he refused all opportunities to make peace; he antagonized the Americans until they declared war; he sent Lenin into Russia to forge a revolution in order to shut down the Russian front; and then he pushed for total military victory in 1918, in a rabid slaughter known as "The Ludendorff Offensive." Ludendorff lost the War in 1918. Shortly thereafter, he created the murderous legend that Germany had lost this war only because Jews had conspired on the home front, in what he called a "stab in the back." He soon forged an alliance with Hitler, endorsed the Nazis, and wrote maniacally about how Germans needed a new world war, to redeem the Fatherland. This savage man had staggering designs to build a gigantic state that would dwarf the British Empire, sweep across all of Africa, then the Middle East, Central Europe, Persia and even India. Simply stated, he wanted the world. His plans, person, and ambitions were the prototype for his good younger friend, Adolf Hitler. All in all, Ludendorff was the key German, instrumental in both world wars and the Russian Revolution. He changed the 20th century beyond recognition General Erich Luddendorf was one of the most important military individuals of the last century, yet today, one of the least known. One of the top two German generals of WWI, Luddendorf dominated not only his superior. Gen. Paul von Hindenburg, but also Germanys head of state, Kaiser Wilhelm II. For years, Luddendorf was the military dictator of Germany. Ludendorff not only dictated all aspects of WWI, he refused all opportunities to make peace; he antagonized the Americans until they declared war; he sent Lenin into Russia to forge a revolution in order to shut down the Russian front; then he pushed for total military victory in 1918, in a rabid slaughter known as The Ludendorff Offensive. Luddendorf lost the War in 1918. Shortly thereafter, he created the murderous legend that Germany had lost this war only because Jews had conspired on the home front, in what he called a stab in the back. He soon forged an alliance with Hitler, endorsed the Nazis, and wrote maniacally about how Germans needed a new world war, to redeem the Fatherland. This savage man had staggering designs to build a gigantic state that would dwarf the British Empire, sweep across all of Africa, then the Middle East, Central Europe, Persia, even India. Simply stated, he wanted the world. His plans, person & ambitions were the prototype for his good younger friend, Adolf Hitler. All in all, Luddendorf was the key German, instrumental in both world wars & the Russian Revolution. He changed the 20th century beyond recognition. **“ [T]he authors deliver a chilling, well-researched biography that opens a whole new window on the world wars and the German psyche at the time.”—Kirkus“A brilliant tactician and an abysmally poor politician and strategist, Ludendorff summed up the strengths and weaknesses of the German General Staff. His is a fascinating story of talent, discipline, obsession, and denial.”—Professor Isabel Virginia Hull, PhD, Cornell University**One of the most important military individuals of the last century, yet one of the least known, Ludendorff not only dictated all aspects of World War I, he refused all opportunities to make peace; he antagonized the Americans until they declared war; he sent Lenin into Russia to forge a revolution in order to shut down the Russian front; and in 1918 he pushed for total military victory, in a slaughter known as “The Ludendorff Offensive.”Ludendorff created the legend that Germany had lost the war only because Jews had conspired on the home front. He forged an alliance with Hitler, endorsed the Nazis, and wrote maniacally about how Germans needed a new world war, to redeem the Fatherland. He aimed to build a gigantic state to dwarf even the British Empire. Simply stated, he wanted the world. General Erich Ludendorff was one of the most important military individuals of the last century, yet today, one of the least known. One of the top two German generals of World War I, Ludendorff dominated not only his superior - General Paul von Hindenburg - but also Germany's head of state, Kaiser Wilhelm II. For years, Ludendorff was the military dictator of Germany. Ludendorff not only dictated all aspects of World War I, he refused all opportunities to make peace, he antagonized the Americans until they declared war, he sent Lenin into Russia to forge a revolution in order to shut down the Russian front, and then he pushed for total military victory in 1918, in a rabid slaughter known as the Ludendorff Offensive. This is the true story of the man who lost World War I, blamed the Jews for his follies and then went on to inspire and form an alliance with Hitler Introduction. The death of an assassin Ludendorff begins his war Ludendorff makes war against the Russians Ludendorff's road to power Ludendorff attacks in 1916 Ludendorff begins his five great campaigns Ludendorff sends Lenin to shut down the Russian front Ludendorff fights Lenin Ludendorff attacks in the West to win before the Americans arrive Ludendorff loses the World War and blames the Jews Ludendorff moves to murder the Jews and fight a new war Ludendorff and his work Timeline of the Great War The cast of characters. "In a biography of one of the least-known important military individuals of the last century, the life of General Erich Ludendorff, a savage man who was one of the top two German generals of World War I-- and who is known for, in 1918, a rabid slaughter known as 'The Ludendorff Offensive'-- is examined"-- NoveList "The man who lost World War I, went insane, blamed the Jews for his follies, then went on to sponsor Hitler and pave the way to World War II."--Jacket