Leader Personality Assessments in Support of Government Policythan "cartloads of dry exposition and theory." His world is "one of
action, not contemplation."
Under the subject of conversation, the author observes Hitler's
tendency to present long monologues in social settings—episodes of
his own life, such as "When I was in Vienna" or "When I was in
prison," as well as rhapsodic monologues on Richard Wagner.
Notable by its absence was any mention of colleagues or friends in
his reminiscences.
Physique
In this section, the report considers Hitler's personal appearance,
cleanliness, endurance, exercise, sight, voice, sleep, and reactions.
Observing Hitler's meticulous concern with his physical appearance,
the report cites his reaction to his physician's attempt to get him to
extend the width of his moustache: "Do not worry about my mus-
tache. If it is not the fashion now, it will be later because I wear it!"
His endurance was described as remarkable, putting in twenty-hour
days with his staff for weeks at end in 1932. It was noted that he
slept very badly following his imprisonment at Landsberg, taking
"some sleeping draft every night." He often was unable to sleep until
dawn. Under the subject of reactions, he was characterized as "a mix-
ture between a fox and a wolf. He plays the fox as long as possible
and sometimes even a lamb, but in the end the wolf is always ready
to emerge." He was described as "astonishingly brave," as someone
who could remain "calm and collected even in emergencies."
The next four sections—diet, personal protection, entertainment,
and information—briefly address these various elements of Hitler's
persona. The author notes that Hitler gave up beer and wine follow-
ing his imprisonment in Landsberg. The report also notes that, after
an accidental injury incurred by one of his aides in which a nearby
physician by prompt intervention saved his life, Hitler insisted on
having a private doctor near him at all times. Personal security
became increasingly more important to Adolf Hitler: "guarding of
his person has become such an important problem that he is virtually
a prisoner and he knows it." The protection of his motor vehicle pro-
cession was modeled after that afforded to President Woodrow Wil-
son. When Hitler went out on walks, five or six armed guards in