Hugh Trevor-Roper and the English Editions of Hitler's Table Talk and Testament. (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nilsson, Mikael
• Is Part Of: Journal of contemporary history. Volume 51:Number 4(2016:Oct.)
• Page Start: 788
• Page End: 812
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: François Genoud -- Hitler -- Table Talk -- Tischgespräche -- The Testament of Adolf Hitler -- Hugh R. Trevor-Roper; History, Modern -- 20th century -- Periodicals; History, Modern -- 21st century -- Periodicals; 909.82
• DOI: 10.1177/0022009415619689
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-0094

Abstract

This article examines the publication of the famous ' Hitler's Table Talk ' and ' The Testament of Adolf Hitler ' as well as the role of British historian Hugh Trevor-Roper in this process, including his relationship with the Swiss banker François Genoud – the owner of the 'original' manuscripts. The article is based on research utilizing Trevor-Roper's personal correspondence and papers; material that has never before been used to investigate this matter. Besides shedding light on many previously unknown details concerning the publication of these documents, the article shows how Trevor-Roper consistently failed to enlighten his readers about central source-critical problems connected to the documents he was validating. He did so on numerous occasions and through several editions of the sources, even though his personal correspondence shows that he was well aware of the problems. The article argues that Trevor-Roper chose not to reveal these problems in public so as not to upset his business relationship with Genoud so that he would gain access to further documents in Genoud's possession.