Hitler’s Interpreter: The Memoirs of Paul Schmidt

A crucial first- person source for any one interested in the workings of Hitler’s inner circle. Paul Otto Schmidt was an interpreter in the German foreign ministry for more than 20 years, serving Hitler at key foreign policy encounters. He served as the translator for Chamberlain’s negotiations with Hitler over the Munich agreement, the British Declaration of War, the signature of the Nazi-Soviet Pact and the surrender of France. During the war years he served as Hitler’s aide for meetings with Petain, Francisco Franco and others. He was arrested in May 1945 and testified at the Nuremberg Trials. He was released by the Americans in 1948. His memoirs present an atmospheric, detailed, portrait of the highest level of the Third Reich. This is the first full translation of his memoirs. AUTHOR: Paul Schmidt (23 June 1899 21 April 1970) was an interpreter in the German foreign ministry, in 1923 45. Roger Moorhouse is a historian of the Third Reich. He is the author of the acclaimed ‘Berlin At War’, ‘Killing Hitler’ and ‘The Devil’s Pact’. He has contributed to ‘He Was My Chief’, ‘I Was Hitler’s Chauffeur’, ‘With Hitler To The End’ and ‘Hitler’s Last Witness’. SELLING POINTS: . An honest first-hand account from one of Hitler’s closest aides who was present at many of the key turning points in the history of World War II . A good interpreter must possess 3 characteristics: paradoxically, be able to be silent; he must be expert in the subject he is translating; and only in third place is his mastery of the language he translates’ . A convincing, accurate eye-witness recording events faithfully . Valuable insights into Hitler’s private personality as well as his political dealings 8pp mono 16 b/w illustrations