Hitler's manifesto 'Mein Kampf' tops Germany's bestseller list

According to the Washington Post, the recently published annotated version of Adolf Hitler's manifesto 'Mein Kampf' has sold about 85,000 copies in its first year despite an initial run of only 4,000.

USA Today notes, "Mein Kampf — the title means 'My Struggle' in English — was published in two volumes in 1925-1926. Written while Hitler was in prison, it features autobiographical information about his youth and explains his antisemitic and extremist views."

For decades, the book had been banned from being reprinted due to fears it could help to spread Nazi ideology, but just over a year ago, the copyright restrictions expired, notes CNN.

In response, Germany's Institute of Contemporary History decided to issue the annotated version with around 3,500 notes to provide critical context to the work.

The New York Times quotes Andreas Wirsching, an official with the institute, as saying, "We are very happy that the ambitious bridge between fundamental academic work and historical-political explanation appears to have succeeded."

Despite being a German bestseller, some Jewish organizations have spoken out against reprinting the book at all.

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