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Having reviewed Helm Stierlin's book, Adolph Hitler: A Family Perspective for the Journal of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis in 1978, I wondered how this latest book on Hitler by an Academy member might be different Would this book simply be a rehashing of the work of previous writers such as Bromberg, Erikson, Fromm, Langer, Stierlin, and Toland, or would Nelken add further insight into the dynamics of this evil monster who masterminded the murder and death of over 50 million human beings in World War II?
Nelken makes the case that Hitler was not only homicidal but also suicidal: instead of being a savior of Germany as he presented himself, Hitler unconsciously wished to destroy Germany along with himself. Nelken mentions that Hitler had fantasies of a spectacular suicide from childhood onward and was self-defeating. This book builds on the family dynamics developed by Stierlin, that Hitler was used by his mother, Klara, as her savior and avenger, to express her anger at her alcoholic and unfaithful husband, Alois. Hitler was the lightening rod for Alois' anger and by confronting his father for his mother was beaten daily. Hitler remained a bound delegate of his mother and did not differentiate himself from her. Nelken similarly states, Hitler was a “momma's boy,” who always had to prove his masculinity. Nelken hypothesizes, however, that Hitler had unconscious rage for his mother, who exploited him for her needs and subjected him (through projective identification) to the father's punishment. Nelken points out that three of the four women Hitler was associated with committed suicide, and that Hitler was never able to establish an intimate relationship with a woman, needing distance to prevent total engulfment.
Similar to his lack of differentiation from his mother, Hitler stated that he was Germany and Germany was Hitler (Mommy and I are One). Nelken hypothesizes that not only was Hitler's mission to be a savior and an avenger for the shame and humiliation Ge