Part 1, Chapters 1-4 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 1, "Origins and Youth," traces Albert Speer's ancestry, his birth in 1905, upper-middle class childhood, physical problems that teach him adjust to adversity, and schooling. Joining a rowing association develops his self-discipline and joy in taking common action. At 17, he falls in love and plans to marry after university. He eschews politics and social problems, studies architecture, and becomes Heinrich Tessenow's assistant. In 1927, he passes his architect's license examination and marries Margarete Weber .

Chapter 2, "Profession and Vocation," depicts Speer's lean teaching years and first exposure to Hitler's hypnotic personality. Turned off by Joseph Goebbels, Speer nevertheless joins the Party in 1931, without reading Mein Kampf. Never does Speer become anti-Semitic, and had he known about Hitler's intentions, and asserts he would have left the party and/or Germany. He chooses, fatally, to overlook unpleasant facts, but now accepts his...