“Adolf Hitler was wont to say he had always been deeply impressed by the tactics and circumspection that Karl May conferred upon his fictitious character, Winnetou.” Albert Speer – Nazi minister of war/production I recall the first time I encountered this statement. It was several years ago, while I was doing research on Karl May. I stumbled across an article that insinuated Hitler was an avid admirer of the author. I was stunned. Adolf Hitler, an admirer of May’s works? It sounded absurd, to say the least, yet true. Hitler, and his visions of grandeur, were in complete contrast to Karl May’s views on humanity. In his novels, May not only accepted an inferior race, but felt compassion for those who were marginalized. Not so the German dictator. Hitler had an intense desire to create the ideal Aryan race – one of pure blood – and was fanatical about achieving greatness, honor and power. He had no qualms about subjugating “lesser” peoples. On the other hand, May’s fictional character Old Shatterhand, (a German immigrant to the United States in the 1860s), sought nobler ideals: peace, humility, and God’s favor. Blessed with many skills and attributes, May’s protagonist often resorted to defeating his enemies through skill and non-violent methods. It was clear that May valued human life and demonstrated this through his heroes, Old Shatterhand and Kara ben Nemsi. It’s interesting to note that Hitler himself was no Adonis. His physical appearance can at best be described as ordinary or average. He may have suffered from  “small man” syndrome. It was reported his handshake was loose, his palms were often moist and clammy, and he rarely pursued physical activity. From a standpoint of physical prowess he certainly didn’t fit the image of an “iron man”, or the ideal Nazi. Whether you look to the noble savage, Winnetou, the leader of his Mescalero Apaches, or to his blood brother, Old Shatterhand (May’s depiction of himself), you can’t help but see the glaring differences between May’s portrayal of humanity and Hitler’s distorted view. May’s heroes often held a positive outlook on life and had a deep-rooted belief system, much of it guised in the cloak of Christianity. Hitler was superstitious and prone to seeking signs and omens, often resorting to mediums for counsel. He himself admitted to hearing voices and seeing spirits. In his book, Mein Kampf, Hitler poses as a type of antichrist who is going to create a new super ego for humanity, one in complete opposition to Christianity. In fact, Hitler saw himself as a war lord, a savior of the German people, overseeing a kingdom that would last 1000 years. Karl May was admired by many, from the average worker and farmer, to the literate of his time, even people of a higher standing. They included the likes of Kaiser Wilhelm II, Albert Einstein, and Herman Hesse. Whereas Einstein and those of like mind extolled May’s pacifism, Hitler completely sidestepped any notion of treating his enemies with respect and compassion. It was reported that Hitler equated his invasion of Russia to that of the white settlers in North America, forcing themselves on the Native tribes, exploiting them and their land for their own gain. Even so, Hitler praised the brave Native warrior Winnetou for his fighting skills and ingenuity and often got swept up in the romanticism of May’s adventure novels. It was said that May’s popularity within the Nazi regime – albeit under Hitler’s influence – earned him the title “The Führer’s Cowboy”. Karl May died in March of 1912, at the age of 70, oblivious to the influence he was about to impart on an insignificant corporal that would fight for Germany during WWI. Had he lived into the 1930s, and seen the rise of socialism under Hitler, I’m sure he would have been appalled and no doubt attempt to disassociate himself from any connection to the ruthless regime.