" Once Hitler announces his decision, they all fall into line, like so many humble rookies. The reason for that is, not so much that they trust Hitler—many of them privately think he’s a bit cracked—but they know he’s managed to get the German people behind him. That is the basis of his power—that, and his luck; he’s managed to get away with one thing after another, and of course every concession by the rest of the world increases that prestige, makes him bolder and his people more adoring.” Said F.D.R.: “I have the feeling that we are drifting into a frightful calamity. "
― Upton Sinclair , Dragon Harvest (The Lanny Budd Novels Book 6)