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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
tense
slow-paced
Dated, but still worth the read. Getting first-person glimpse of this war really added to the narrative.
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Should be essential reading for everyone everywhere. Only didn't give it 5 stars because it was SO dense with information and dragged in some parts. Maybe I'm just a history buff who is not so interested in the history of military strategy, but ultimately, all of the info was pertinent. My favorite part was the Epilogue. IYKYK.
challenging
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
challenging
informative
slow-paced
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
Almost six months spent with this mammoth book, started reading days leading up to the 2024 US elections. Now a couple months into this presidential cycle, I already feel like I need to read from the beginning. People like to say the current government echos the rise of Hitler, this book just cemented the sentiment for me.
The first third provides a high level backdrop of Hilter’s upbringing and potential reasons for his foundational theories. Also provides a quick summation of the first and second reichs, using this history to explain how the German mindset went along with him. Then gets into the rise of National Socialism and how Hitler was able to destroy a republic in a matter of months. History is fascinating as well can always see today’s world reflected with yesterday’s lessons. Never did I think the US would spiral downwards with someone’s policies mirroring what was done in Germany about 100 years ago. Hitler embraced and riled up the poor working class, gave them an enemy while bullying those who didn’t fall in line. Put people in charge of critical roles without the expertise. Fired key military leaders. Lied and created his own propaganda machine. Billed himself as the peacemaker.
Admittedly, I didn’t enjoy the middle third providing just too much detail as to how Hitler ramped up arms to start invading Poland. Many sections about England and France actions attempting for peace without condemning Hitler and falling for his I just want peace lies. Just became much. Last third picked up with set pieces explaining Italy and Japan’s involvement, then Americans joining the war, culminating in Hitler’s death.
Overall a solid read full of primary sources. The author’s bias comes out very much on the nose similar to Carlyle’s History of the French Revolution. Honestly, he is more balanced than I could ever write considering the subject matter.
The first third provides a high level backdrop of Hilter’s upbringing and potential reasons for his foundational theories. Also provides a quick summation of the first and second reichs, using this history to explain how the German mindset went along with him. Then gets into the rise of National Socialism and how Hitler was able to destroy a republic in a matter of months. History is fascinating as well can always see today’s world reflected with yesterday’s lessons. Never did I think the US would spiral downwards with someone’s policies mirroring what was done in Germany about 100 years ago. Hitler embraced and riled up the poor working class, gave them an enemy while bullying those who didn’t fall in line. Put people in charge of critical roles without the expertise. Fired key military leaders. Lied and created his own propaganda machine. Billed himself as the peacemaker.
Admittedly, I didn’t enjoy the middle third providing just too much detail as to how Hitler ramped up arms to start invading Poland. Many sections about England and France actions attempting for peace without condemning Hitler and falling for his I just want peace lies. Just became much. Last third picked up with set pieces explaining Italy and Japan’s involvement, then Americans joining the war, culminating in Hitler’s death.
Overall a solid read full of primary sources. The author’s bias comes out very much on the nose similar to Carlyle’s History of the French Revolution. Honestly, he is more balanced than I could ever write considering the subject matter.
An easy recommendation for anyone looking for an overview of the Third Reich with limited knowledge on the details. It is a long slog at over 1,110 pages with lots of names, locations and period specific acronyms/terms, but still worth the effort. There aren't any significant sections that are unnecessary and the extreme detail provides a lot of extra context that has value. By the end it answered all of the major questions I had on this time period.
Shirer's first hand accounts in Germany (he was there from 1934-1940) and research make up for his overly opinionated takes on a number of topics. His antiquated personal views also help a modern reader frame up the time period.
Shirer's first hand accounts in Germany (he was there from 1934-1940) and research make up for his overly opinionated takes on a number of topics. His antiquated personal views also help a modern reader frame up the time period.
challenging
dark
informative
slow-paced
Wow! This book was amazing. I’ve never considered myself a WW2 buff, but there is so much good info about and how the Third Reich came to power and fell. It’s long, but good.
slow-paced