In the spring of 1939, a critic of Hitler received an unexpected dinner invitation at the Old Chancellery. Despite initial reservations, they believed in the necessity of dialogue with adversaries. The dinner featured prominent Nazi figures and showcased art looted from Jewish homes. The arrival of Hitler himself revealed a surprisingly warm and human side, contrasting sharply with his public persona. This encounter led to a complex emotional response, as the critic grappled with the dissonance between Hitler's private and public identity, leading to an introspection on the nature of hate and dialogue.
"But eventually I concluded that hate gets us nowhere. I knew I couldn't change his views, but we need to talk to the other side even if it has invaded and annexed other countries and committed unspeakable crimes against humanity."
"Here I was, prepared to meet Hitler, the one I'd seen and heard - the public Hitler. But this private Hitler was a completely different animal."
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