Grade 6-9–Clear, concise writing coupled with impressive illustrations that include black-and-white and color photos of cityscapes and individuals make this book a useful resource. Rice discusses the political parties and leaders who most influenced Hitler and the economic changes in Germany before and after World War I. He documents Hitler's failures in school and lack of direction as a young adult after failing to be accepted into art school, and describes the impact of his army service on his politics. The growth of the Nazi Party and Hitler's increasing involvement and influence on it is adequately covered, including a detailed account of how he achieved legitimacy after the failed Beer Hall Putsch. His seizure of power and repeated violations of the World War I settlement are discussed, as is how he staged and planned the outbreak of World War II.
