Look Who's Back

Alot of people are giving this book poor reviews due to the fact that the subject is Hitler, which is rediculious. This book isn't, in no way, promote nazism, but rather does the oppiste by allowing readers to laugh at Hitler, his lack of understanding the modern world, and the ironic situations he finds himself in.

I live in America, and I'm sure some bits of German humor flew over my head, however I enjoyed this book none the less. I simply couldn't put the book down.

There was also a helpful index in the back of the book, explianing who certain nazis who people may not be familiar with, that I looked back on several times while reading.

The book/plot it's self was very intresting, and kept me on my toes thoughout the story. I recomend this book to anyone who knowns how to take a joke, and can tell the diffeernce between promoting nazism and joking about it.

A funny, yet somehow disturbing book. It is a relatively easy read with a great deal of social commentary. I suggest reading the translator's notes at the end of the book first to understand better references to German television.

Look Who's Back offers an intriguing premise, and deservedly tweaks our global media culture. The narrative develops in a predictable fashion however, with few unexpected turns after the initial impact. In effect, it's one long joke, though a frequently amusing one.

Wonderful satire that puts the reader in a Saturday Night Live skit within a Back to the Future/The Producer scene. The snapshots of WWII history commingled with modern day politics, news, and society makes for a humorous read.

Great idea but didn't quite live up to expectations. The author shied away from the nazi treatment of the Jews during the Second World War and there were too many questions left unanswered. It was irritating that Hitler just appeared 50 years after the war and then nothing else was mentioned about how or why he got there and he seemed unconcerned as well. Were we supposed to feel sympathy or empathy? It was just too too annoying.

Very entertaining, a little bit difficult to believe at times. I enjoyed reading it, but it wasn't a thrill. I kept thinking one thing throughout the book: history repeats itself not because we forget, but because we believe it wouldn't happen to us. It is not a matter of educations and records only (of course they matter) but of our ego also.

A one joke novel. Funny particularly in first third of book, I found it boring as we moved in to the second half of book. German humor which did not go down with me. Could have been a good short story.

It is always back again, because is not the person we are talking about, but the people and situations that give rise to politicians.
It is nice to give the voice to those, who failed to explained and defend. Even the worst actors of the history should have the voice. We can prevent the worst historical evevents by understanding, not by avoiding all facts.
I only see the problem in the fact, that you can simphatised with the person, who are responsible for genocide and war horror. Maybe this is the only way to understand how the things happened. Everything begin with atraction, personal charisma, right time and place.
Teach us to hate is not the way to understand. To understand the history is the only way to avoid historical failures.
Great author, inteligent humour, you just feel sorry the book is at the end.

A truly unusual concept for a novel,but very well done in details.The author,through,I believe,much research,has done a great portrayal of one of historys most notorious characters,and managed to bring to print a fine example of the banality of extreme evil. He also shows just how bizarre modern media can be when exploiting a"story".A highly entertaining read,especially for those with a fair knowledge of the 3rd Reich,it's premises,personalities,and history.

A worrying look at our relationship with celebrity, media and insane ideology. Hitler returns to the modern world and there's the to be expected round of humorous encounters with technological and social changes before we move onto the real meat of the novel which shows how even the most extreme views can gain toleration in a liberal society in the name of satire. Hitler expounds his views but nobody takes him too seriously assuming it's just character acting. The scene where he takes apart the neo-nazis is fun though I think understates the menacing side of these people in real life. Without giving anything away the later comeuppance of the fuhrer slightly redresses this but feels like a bit of an afterthought.
All in all a good fun light read about a monster.

This book is so well written. It is extremely entertaining and reads very smoothly. This shows the faults in celebrity worshipping and the problems associated with small mindedness. Highly recommended reading.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the review copy. **3.5 stars***

Summer 2011. Berlin. Adolf Hitler wakes up on a patch of ground, alive and well. Things have changed – no Eva Braun, no Nazi party, no war. Hitler barely recognises his beloved Fatherland, filled with immigrants and run by a woman. People certainly recognise him, though – as a brilliant, satirical impersonator who refuses to break character. The unthinkable, the inevitable, happens, and the ranting Hitler takes off, goes viral, becomes a YouTube star, gets his own TV show, becomes someone who people listen to. All while he’s still trying to convince people that yes, it really is him, and yes, he really means it.

There have already been mixed opinions on this one – basically surrounding the sense or not of writing what is basically a comedy of errors and making one of the most villified characters in history – Hitler – its main protagonist. Before I dived in, I read several online discussions, a few non-spoiler reviews and was intrigued to see just what all the fuss was about…

How did I find it? Well I laughed a lot, sometimes in a vaguely guilty way admittedly. Mainly in the portions that dealt with Hitler’s interactions with the media – where they are assuming he is an impersonator, of course, and he is solidly and absolutely himself. Add to that, especially in the early chapters, his despair at the state of the world – and his discovery of television cookery shows – and the whole thing is ironically amusing.

I can see it would be fairly easy to find a reason to be offended by this book but I see no need. The author never tries to make Hitler likeable (or unlikeable for that matter) or offer excuses for his actions, nor does he pretend that this is anything other than exactly what it is – a darkly imaginative fantasy tale with perhaps a touch of social commentary.

The only small downside for me was perhaps that this is aimed very much at the German audience – I’m sure a lot of the satire went straight over my head, especially with regards to the pop culture of that country – there were media releases and tv shows that I was obviously expected to know about that I assume would have made certain portions of the book more humerous – but mostly I would say I tootled along fairly well.

I also think that people with a better knowledge than I possess of Hitler’s period of history would get more out of it – when he is talking about his political party and the players in the war I was often a bit lost because my education in this matter stops with the big stuff (the horrific treatment of the Jewish community) and I also knew the name of Hitler’s mistress. Apart from that I am actually quite ashamed to admit I know very little detail. A fact I should perhaps rectify…

Overall though this was an intriguing, humerous and fascinating reading experience which I enjoyed very much. Beautifully translated as well. Kudos.