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Did Richard Wagner incite Adolf Hitler to commit the Holocaust? The music of composer Richard Wagner is banned in Israel, as he is regarded as a precursor of the Nazi ideology. In Richard and Adolf, Nicholson explores the anti-Semitic elements of Wagner s polemical works and his music, and the immense influence this had on the man who was to become Germany's Fuhrer. Reference is also made to the texts of the major operas, reckoned by many to be the greatest works of art of all time. Biographers have often avoided delving into the uglier elements of both of the subjects personalities. Without seeking sensationalism, this book does not shrink from exploring their seedier side, including their sexual dalliances and perversions, in its quest to understand the full range of factors that led to Hitler's pursuit of the Holocaust.

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Answering his subtitle at the beginning of the book, Nicholson here sets out to show the depth of the connection Hitler felt with the anti-Semetic German composer who lived 60 years before him. As the author writes, 'little did the world at large realise the madness that his philosophies would unleash when Adolf Hitler, enraptured by the music, took up the racist refrain'. Although the lives of both men are fascinating, the connection between them is quite simple-Hitler was inspired by Wagner's work-and leads to much padding, digression and repetition over the course of nearly 500 pages. One particularly egregious recurring theme is Hitler's supposed homosexuality and sexual perversions , on which Nicholson attempts to hang much of the madman's philosophy; the connection between this topic and Wagner, however, is non-existent. The most interesting aspect of Nicholson's work is his thorough indictment of Wagner's descendants, who after the war claimed to have joined the Nazis only to keep their annual Wagner festival in business; the Wagners' affection for Hitler and his party is made devastatingly clear here. -- Publishers Weekly A most scholarly, lucidly written account, capturing very starkly and eruditely the awful ambiguity of Wagner. -- David Saks, Senior researcher at the Jewish Board of Deputies in Johannesburg, Editor of the cultural journal Jewish Affairs Nicholson's book tackles the controversy of whether Wagner's music 'incited the Holocaust'. -- Erika Snyder, The Jerusalem Post, 11 February 2007 The author of this fascinating book proposes theories which may be true ... I recommend it as an exercise in entertainment and possible aspects of the lives of Wagner and Hitler. -- Susan M Filler, Chicago, Illinois, Shofar Newsletter

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