It's only slightly controversial since Mein Kampf is an insight into the mind of Adolph Hitler (an important historical figure, in case you skipped Modern History classes), rather than a manual for racists.

Its a historical document and already translated in the mid '30.

I have no idea of the copyright status of Mein Kampf, but you're paying for the app, not the text itself. Just like how copies of the Holy Bible aren't free, you know.

As for the book itself available as an app, so what? People should be able to read even unpopular books. I'm not saying that if Apple decided to not allow MK as an app that it would be censorship, because it's not. Apple is not the government. By definition, censorship is a government act.

But I'm not going to get worked up over it being available in the App Store, like the person who wrote this article seems to be. I really don't think we have to worry about the rise of the Fourth Reich just because someone might read Mein Kampf.

It's just so terribly terribly wrong to ban books like this and swastikas and all the other things that "nervous nellies" would have us ban.

It's been long proven that the banning of such material works entirely at cross purposes with the goal of eliminating the kind of world views they represent. If you want people to never repeat these horrible mistakes the best thing is to shine a big bright light on them.

Mein Kampf should be required reading in every school and library. And Swastikas should be drained of their power by turning them into something so prevalent that they appear on wallpaper and dress fabric.

The issue is not the specific topic. The issue is that Apple is not public/transparent about its criteria... and thus anything becomes an issue. Apple is really screwing up this one aspect of their product. No one knows the criteria... all "books", no "books", subject to the whim of "Stevie" the Apple book reviewer? We just need to know.

Do not confuse the origin of a word with its current definition. Anyone can censor something though the effect varies depending upon the scope of their authority. Otherwise, I agree with you.

and couldn't make it past the first chapter. It's no wonder it was ignored by the Western powers when it was first published. It's a good example of how not to write a book.

I tried reading it once as well. It's crap. Its only significance of course is that it was written by Hitler.

It has historical significance. Gizmodo already covered the uptake in app books on the App Store and how they're all pretty much wrapper apps for public domain books to make a quick buck by "application spam" companies. Apple seems to be going along with it.

On a side note, it's been long recognized the Mein Kampf wasn't really written by Hitler but was a book he commissioned from his "PR" staff for propaganda.

(and yes, I've read it when I was 16 for an analysis paper on racism and propaganda)

It's a book that neo-Nazi groups all over the world including the USA, use as an ideological manifest. They also claim it's an "historical document".
I don't see way App store should help those fanatics spread the word.
Would you also agree to post Pod casts from Been Laden?