Controversial edition of Hitler's Mein Kampf translated by magician

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With war looming, one of the most popular books was Adolf Hitler’s auto-biographical manifesto, Mein Kampf (1925). Readers across the Channel and across the Atlantic wanted to understand what made the madman in Germany tick. English translations of Mein Kampf were available, but they had been mired in complications and controversy since the early 1930s. One translation, known as the Stackpole edition, came out in America in February 1939. 


It was translated, anonymously, by journalist and part-time magician, June Burrows Mussey (1910-1985). American publisher Stackpole Sons, promised to handover profits from sales of the book to refugee charities. But, a copyright claim by a rival American publisher, which ended up in the United States Supreme Court, stopping publication of this edition after only four months. Mussey’s translation sold 12,000 copies in its short run.  


Mussey (who performed as Henry Hay) went on to serve in an air intelligence unit with the U.S. Marine Corps during World War Two. Despite his duties there, he found time to write Magic (1942), a book on tricks for magicians. After the war ended, he authored several other popular magic books. These included The Amateur Magician’s Handbook (1950) which became a classic text for magicians.


Hitler, Adolf (translated by Burrows Massey). 
The Complete Unauthorised Mein Kampf by Hitler (1939)
(Source: Public domain)

Related article: 'U.S. Government orders magic books for troops all over the world'. Blog link.

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The Colditz Conjurer tells the amazing true story of Flight Lieutenant Vincent ‘Bush’ Parker, Battle of Britain pilot and prisoner-of-war magician.

Written by the Magic at War team, The Colditz Conjurer is a remarkable tale of perseverance, courage and cunning in the face of adversity. It features over 55 original photographs and maps. 126 pages.


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