Mein Kampf

Mein Kampf (German: [maɪn ˈkampf]; lit. 'My Struggle') is a 1925 autobiographical and political manifesto by Adolf Hitler, the leader of the Nazi Party. The book outlines many of Hitler's political beliefs, his political ideology, and his future plans for Germany and the world. Volume 1 of Mein Kampf was published in 1925 and Volume 2 in 1926. The combined volumes encompass roughly 750 pages. Emil Maurice, SS member No. 2, was prominent in early transcription, then most of the editing was done by Hitler's deputy Rudolf Hess.

Hitler began Mein Kampf while imprisoned at Landsberg Prison following his failed coup in Munich in November 1923 and trial in February 1924 for high treason, in which he received a sentence of five years in fortress confinement (Festungshaft). Although he received many visitors initially, he soon devoted himself entirely to the book. As he continued, he realized that it would have to be a two-volume work. The governor of the prison noted at the time that "[Hitler] hopes the book will run into many editions, thus enabling him to fulfill his financial obligations and to defray the expenses incurred at the time of his trial." Hitler spent over a year incarcerated and had the first volume published the summer after his release. After slow initial sales, the book became a bestseller in Germany following Hitler's rise to power in 1933.