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Hitler's Favourite Cowboy

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02/12/2013

BBC Radio 4 - Hitler's Favourite Cowboy

Joe Queenan on the German Wild West novels that inspired Adolf Hitler throughout his life.

4 Extra Debut. Joe Queenan explores how German Wild West novels about a young man and an Apache chief inspired Adolf Hitler. From 2013.

At the end of the 19th century, Karl May was in the process of selling more books than any other German in history - his 80 plus works have now totalled approaching 200 million copies. The most popular feature the character Old Shatterhand - a greenhorn German (supposedly based on May himself) freshly arrived in the Wild West - and his friendship with the Apache chief Winnetou. 

Among those gripped by the stories was the future leader of the Third Reich, Adolf Hitler, who from the point he first discovered them as a 13-year-old boy continually turned to them in his darkest hours - even to the point of sending copies to his field-generals to embolden them and offer fresh tactical tips. 

Joe Queenan heads to Germany to find out why May - who became a pacifist - was so appealing to Hitler, and also why such a popular figure in German life and letters remains virtually unknown in English speaking countries. Along the way he discovers that May's own story was every bit as interesting and fantastical as the Western tales he wrote. 

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2013.

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