The Man Who Didn’t Shoot Hitler: The Story of Henry Tandey VC and Adolf Hitler, 1918

A local story of a Warwickshire lad with a national and European interest. In this intriguing tale Johnson details the parallel lives of Henry Tandey and Hitler at war in the trenches of France and Belgium between 1914 - 1918. In particular Johnson challenges some of the mythology about Hitler's WW1 war record. Hitler, as a despatch runner, shuttled as much between the rear, supporting apparatus as hedid between trenches. While Tandey was injured on more than one occasion from from shell fire, Hitler's last enforced removal from the front line was 'mustard gas' related.In a meticulously documented chronicle of Tandey's life in Leamington, Coventry and at the front we get a sense of a very ordinary man doing extraordinarily brave deeds. The evidence that Johnson provides is compelling in debunking Hitler's claim that it was Tandey who saved his life in trench incident famously 'recorded' in a painting at the Menin Crossroads. That Tandey spared Hitler's life is a good story but just that - a story.

ENJOYABLE READ . Begs the question IF ONLY

Henry Tandey is a relative of mine and after hearing all of the stories as a child from my Dad, I absolutely had to get him this as the perfect birthday present. Both my Dad and Mum love the book, and I can't wait to be able to take him to see Henry's VC!

Have been wanting to read this book ever since I saw the title. Did not disappoint . Writers research was most commendable, and I found the style of writing very easy to read and flowing. A good read.

Being very familiar with this story and (I wont bore you) spending many hours on research, I think the research for this book is poor and unconvincing. On an interesting and engaging level, for me, it just doesn't work. It falls between an academic record of events and a dramatic account. It needs to decide which camp it needs to be in.

Very clearly written and easy to follow. Even the author considers the chance that these two men 'met' on the battlefield to be slim. All by all an interesting read. I'd recommend it to anyone with an interest in WWI.

Poor & mainly obvious content which could be condensed into a few pages

Unfortunately many quotes but inconclusive. However the history of Henry himself is much more of an amazing achievement than the grabbing "man who didn't shoot Hitler" headline.

This is a great book. Well researched and written. In addition it contains valuable insights about how and why myths can develop, and how research can confirm or debunk them.

Interesting story... well written.