This is the fascinating story of how the events which befell Hitler between 1889 and 1924 influenced his political outlook and heralded the formation of the Sturm Abteilung – the notorious SA. Drawing extensively on Hitler's own biographical account in Mein Kampf, Emmy Award winning author and historian Bob Carruthers illustrates how a series of violent events transformed Hitler's view of the world and led directly to the Beer Hall Putsch of 1924.

Hitler's difficult relationship with his brutal father, his harsh experiences in Vienna and his involvement in the Great War conditioned Hitler to celebrate violent acts. By Hitler's own account, his love of violence and complete disregard for the consequences of his actions was vindicated by a series of victories in fierce encounters involving beer hall brawls and street battles. Each successive triumph over adversity influenced his decision-making process and culminated in the ill-fated events of November 1924, which saw Hitler imprisoned for the second time.

The parallel growth of the SA from a small group of fist fighters to a feared paramilitary force is also covered in detail, along with a comprehensive survey of the violent events between 1920 and 1924, which shaped this infamous political instrument of terror.