Never more has there been a contrast between two individuals than with Adolf Hitler and Winston Churchill. History records these men as prolific and profound. The former being a maniacal tyrant, and the latter, a political leader who became an honorary American. Despite their idiosyncrasies, each man operated under the guise of leadership and profoundly affected the worldly historical landscape. John Luckacs’ The Duel recognizes such contrasting distinctions between the two men. It is an unflinching account of the qualities that each man exhibited.
Hitler is best remembered for his focused efforts to annihilate the Jewish people. Hitler operated on the premise that if goals and objectives are to be accomplished, they must be taken at all costs.…show more content… Churchill thought that too, but the views and moods of the two were different. [Hitler saw] the ways [by which] wars were now being fought." 7 Hitler understood the weaknesses in his enemy, and used them to his advantage. Hitler concocted several ways in his campaign to dominate, and was more secretive; while Churchill "was less secretive [in his leadership approach] making speeches to inspire people withholding his worries and anxieties." 8 Churchill understood that his opponent was Hitler and because of this, he "dictated a variety of orders against the dangers of some sudden German descent on England, warn[ing] that the long coast of the island was not and indeed never had been, entirely immune to some kind of surprise landing.” 9 Luckacs notes that these worries and anxieties caused Churchill "for the first time to think about returning to the Continent by attacking the Germans at various points of its coasts." 10 Churchill's personality then was more or less concerned about the morale of Britain, while Hitler's decisions arose from self-righteousness and an all-consuming hatred for the Jewish people and his rationale for using them as a "scapegoat by blaming the Jews for the economic crisis that Germany suffered." 11 However, this resolve to rid the planet of anything different from his method and ways of doing, ultimately led to his
