The final weeks of his life saw Hitler in a deteriorating mental state, physical ill health and a liability to fits of gross irrationality, and these conditions served to shroud his demise on controversy and myth. The author has delved into unprecedented depths of research and investigation to achieve a defining story of the events of April 1945. He is able to discount many false theories, strengthen certain assumptions and establish an account that can dispel the doubts. He assesses the the views of witnesses but makes no use of hearsay evidence. He takes into consideration the different concerns that may have influenced the reports of German, Allied and Russian personnel who were close to the bunker before or just after Hitler's death and notes the secrecy and deviousness which has protected evidence for over half a century.