Diary of a Man in Despair (Tagebuch eines Verzweifelten) is a journal written by the German writer Friedrich Reck-Malleczewen during the 1930s and 1940s, expressing his passionate opposition to Adolf Hitler and Nazism.

After Hitler had departed, one of Reck's companions opened a window to let some fresh air in and dispel the feeling of "oppression".

"[3] In the entry for 11 August 1936, Reck describes how he once saw Hitler dining alone in a Munich restaurant, and expresses regret that he had not shot him dead when he had the chance.

[5] The final entry, dated 14 October 1944, describes how Reck had been arrested and subsequently charged with "undermining the morale of the armed forces."

Reck then makes the prescient statement that the Nazis will be rooted out, pursued remorselessly and reduced to their true level.