Hitler and the Beer Hall Putsch

Professor Gordon's work on the Hitler Putsch is excellent. It is a pioneering study on the event which taught Hitler the invaluable lesson of gaining political power through legitimate means. The book is the basis from which all other works on the subject are judged. Its only notable flaws are an over-emphasis on the role of moderate right-wing groups, a tedious account of the events of November 8 and 9, 1923, and a lack of attention to the role of the ensuing trial in making Hitler an internationally known figure.

This book discusses the Putsch, and all political and paramilitary organizations active in Munich at the time. Its primary emphasis is on the moderate right wing groups affiliated with the Weimar Republic, such as Bund Bayern und Reich, making the title sort of a misnomer. It also has a detailed discussion of all events during the Putsch, such as comments people were yelling in the Burgerbraukellar when the Putsch started, and a map showing the route marched from the Burgerbraukellar to the Feldherrnhalle.