Every book has a story. Even non fictional ones like this got one. How a reader gets to know about the book followed by how it reaches him and things happening while reading the book is sometimes a story on its own. Everyone has their own stories of how they landed up with a particular book, be itbought or lent from a library.
I have one such story about Mein Kampf. First time I heard this name was in a ninth grade History class. For unknown reason we were not handed over official CBSE Books from the school and it was difficult to source in that town. In that 'No-information' time period, whatever the teacher spoke in classroom is the only source of information about History and only that stood as reference for examination.
The way he taught us History and Civics in such a detailed manner. History traversed from Russian Revolution and First world war to Second World war. There was a curiosity to know something more about Adolf Hitler. The newspaper history sections covered only the latter part of the war as suitable for kids.
For a Ninth grader with vague social, political knowledge, Hitler as a dictator always struck either as a ruler by lineage or somehow rose to power by means of military strength - which was frequently in the news as it happened in Pakistan at that time.
History teacher mentioned that Hitler was a soldier and he compiled his visions in a book called 'Mein Kampf' which made many people to follow him and make him win the elections.
This happened in 2005-06. A change of government happened in India the previous year where the ruling party advertised its achievements like anything and still people chose the alternative option. The same history teacher also had taught Indian polity in detail and the structure of Indian democracy.
I never knew what elections were like in Germany. I just related a book fighting against the ruling party in convincing people to bring a change. I imagined the book in the scale of Indian population and grew curious about its content. Decided to read it one day. It hasn't moved to read zone till now, not even started reading zone.
Finding the book to read was interesting part. That age only accepted reading fiction whenever time permitted and was not ready to ask parents to buy a book by Hitler while failing in academics.
After joining the job and on completion of one year of service, while waiting for a bus tried decided to treat myself with books in the nearby road side book stall. Surprisingly found 'Mein Kampf' in the stall.
This was in June - 2014. Just a month after a change of ruling party in Indian Government. People had selected a new government with so much hope. At least I witnessed how this happened and what People's mindset was for the previous years in bringing this change.
Seeing the book at this stage, immediately decided to buy it. Changing the people's mindset to favour someone and build confidence in the mass mindset required so much efforts from many agencies and many years.
How could this book did most of that work 100 years ago. Curious to know the content so that I could draw an image about the people at that time like what were the expectations.
Next week Gifted the book to a friend from the same history class. So The book still hasn't moved to read zone.
This is August of 2026. There is another change at state level. This time it is a new person with whom people had entrusted their future. This 10 years itself a big change in means followed to influence the masses.
Ten years back it was a new wave of information at fingertips. People were promised a great future with never existing present then.
They believed the first information that reached them. Concerned agencies made sure those fake constructed images were the first to reach people. The communication mode was simple text and images.
Never cared to buy another book as there came a neutral mindset regarding all parties and people's collective mandate is always going to be correct. Me not a qualified in any means to pass judgement on such a unanimous decision. (This after 2016 TN elections).
Now after 2026 elections there is again an increase in interest for reading this book. As people given change in mandate this time to a new person.
This time there is no expectation for people to select this person it seems. The promises were not anything new. They were made to believe the change in government and people in the governance is mandatory for the welfare of the state.
Though they were given the third choice in many recent elections, people didn't choose any of the alternatives who came forward and finally made their selection for the change.
I am intrigued about this decision making. This is not the first time they had the choice to choose new party. How did they unanimously settle for this change. Even though the person they chose never fought for them, never lead them with any ideology,
I am going for this book again. From the reviews it would be a boring read it seems.
Might take a year or two to complete at my current reading rate.
