German legal threat to stop Hitler memoir extracts

A British publisher is controversially planning to publish excerpts of Hitler’s memoir “Mein Kampf” in Germany, along with a critical commentary.

But the state of Bavaria, which holds the copyright, is threatening legal action to prevent publication of “The Unreadable Book”.

“It’s not like the German perspective. The British perspective would be… if this is something you don’t like, you don’t hide it and hope it goes away, you confront it, you discuss it, you criticise it,” said Peter McGee, Head of Albertas Ltd, the publisher.

A prominent German Jewish organisation has said that if Mein Kampf has to be published, it is better for it to appear with notes. But others have attacked the move.

“I have to condemn it because it’s only about making money. They want to make money under the pretext of breaking down a taboo. For me it’s tasteless,” said historian Stefanie Schueler-Springorum.

Three years ago Bavaria failed to stop extracts of old Nazi newspapers from being published by the same company.

Opinions remain divided on whether the latest booklet is a historical aid, or commercial opportunism.

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