Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
New York: Simon & Schuster
Description
Since its publication in 1960, William L. Shirer's monumental study of Hitler's German empire has been widely acclaimed as the definitive record of the twentieth century's blackest hours. The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich offers an unparalleled and thrillingly told examination of how Adolf Hitler nearly succeeded in conquering the world. With millions of copies in print around the globe, it has attained the status of a vital and enduring classic. Now, years after the end of World War II, it may seem incredible that our most valued institutions, and way of life, were threatened by the menace that Hitler and the Third Reich represented. Shirer's description of events and the cast of characters who played such pivotal roles in defining the course Europe was to take is unforgettable. Benefiting from his many years as a reporter, and thus a personal observer of the rise of Nazi Germany, and availing himself of some of the 485 tons of documents from the German Foreign Office, as well as countless other diaries, phone transcriptions, and other written records, meticulously kept at every level by the Germans, Shirer has put together a brutally objective account of how Hitler wrested political control of Germany, and planned and executed his six-year quest to dominate the world, only to see Germany go down in flames. Although 1600 pages long, this is such a richly rewarding experience for anyone who wants to come to grips with the mysterious question of how this menace to civilization ever came into being, much less was sustained for as long as it was. The answer, unfortunately, is that most of Germany, for a whole host of reasons, embraced Nazism and the fanaticism that Hitler engendered.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member SCRH
I have owned this book for nearly 50 years and finally got around to reading it. It frankly is such a large book (1245 pages) that I was intimidated by it. I decided that I must read it. I am glad I did.
Because of the many five star ratings the book received, not only on LibraryThing but on other
The magnificent work is well-researched. Readers will surely learn something that will stay with them regarding one of the most horrific periods in history. To think that much of it occurred in my lifetime sends chills down my spine.
In a number of ways the book is a tough read – relatively small print of the main text and very tiny print for the voluminous footnotes, numerous unique words (at least for me), lack of maps, graphics, and photos – caused me to spend considerable extra time looking up words, phrases, people, and places on the Internet. Although I learned much the “extra work,” the reader may wish to factor in extra time when embarking upon the reading task. The effort is well worth it and I can't recommend it enough.
I must admit that I unfortunately see parallels in some people and events of today. God help us if history repeats itself.
Because of the many five star ratings the book received, not only on LibraryThing but on other
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Internet sites as well, my little old five star rating probably doesn't count for much. I greatly appreciate the research and hard work the author did in producing the book on a subject – Hitler and his cruel reign -- that, though negative, is of extreme importance to the history of humankind.The magnificent work is well-researched. Readers will surely learn something that will stay with them regarding one of the most horrific periods in history. To think that much of it occurred in my lifetime sends chills down my spine.
In a number of ways the book is a tough read – relatively small print of the main text and very tiny print for the voluminous footnotes, numerous unique words (at least for me), lack of maps, graphics, and photos – caused me to spend considerable extra time looking up words, phrases, people, and places on the Internet. Although I learned much the “extra work,” the reader may wish to factor in extra time when embarking upon the reading task. The effort is well worth it and I can't recommend it enough.
I must admit that I unfortunately see parallels in some people and events of today. God help us if history repeats itself.
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LibraryThing member Barb_H
Audiobook. I'm very glad I listened to this book instead of reading it. It is very long, and all of the German names would have been difficult to handle myself. I think I would have given up on it if I'd read it. But listening to it was great. It's so full of information and history, but it's not
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dry at all. It's quite interesting, shocking and utterly disturbing. Truth really is stranger than fiction. Show Less
LibraryThing member datrappert
There may have been more definitive histories written about the Third Reich or perhaps more accurate ones, but this groundbreaking work sets the standard that all others are judged by. Shirer spoke German, and he was in Germany during the early years of Hitler's reign. His story has an "I was
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there" authenticity that shines through. In addition, he is a superior writer. If you want to read about the Third Reich, start here. Show Less
LibraryThing member lapomelzi
Fifty seven hours of audiobook and totally amazing. A first rate first-hand account from a journalist who was present at all the major events of the war. First rate historical research as Shirer was able to get his hands on mint German secret files and the diary of one of the most important
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generals of the time who kept an unimaginably detailed account of all his interactions with Hitler and of all the decisions of the war. Now, I truly understand much, much more about War World II. Highly Recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member finalcut
I've been off and on reading this for over 2 years now. It's interesting but kind of boring and whenever any fiction comes along this gets pushed to the backburner
LibraryThing member JVioland
Excellent book. Traces the very beginnings of the Fascist movement in Germany after World War I until the complete destruction in 1945. Shirer, who had been a correspondent in pre-WWII Germany, shows how a people, disgusted with their government's inability to address basic human problems, can
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resort to supporting a radical political party to save the country. There are lessons to be learned here. Show Less
LibraryThing member steadfastreader
I finally finished it. This is an amazing read. Epic. It's probably the most comprehensive history of Nazi Germany ever published. The author uses his own first hand experience along with actual captured Nazi documents to tell the story. The first 700-800 pages flew by for me, then I got bogged
Fascinating. Thus far (I still have 1100 pages left) it seems that everything, from the obscure Prussian militaristic state, to Hitler's bastard grandfather being recognized by his father at the zero hour (when he was 84), to Hitler's rejection from art school, to the Treaty of Versailles - all the stars aligned for the coming of Hitler... it's spooky really.
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down in the remaining 400. I think because up until that point the narrative focuses mainly on Hitler's childhood and rise to power along with what every aspect of life was like in Nazi Germany. The reading became a little more difficult for me when it started to focus more on the military actions and maneuvers, which I have little to no interest in. It's fantastic and timely even today. An important moment in history that everyone should consider.Fascinating. Thus far (I still have 1100 pages left) it seems that everything, from the obscure Prussian militaristic state, to Hitler's bastard grandfather being recognized by his father at the zero hour (when he was 84), to Hitler's rejection from art school, to the Treaty of Versailles - all the stars aligned for the coming of Hitler... it's spooky really.
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LibraryThing member MattGorzalski
Shirer's Rise and Fall of the Third Reich is a detailed account of the entire history of Nazi Germany, beginning with the advent of Adolf Hitler and ending with a brief epilogue on the Nuremberg Trial. Shirer's book can be considered a primary resource, as he was a witness to the rise of Hitler's
As an archivist working with state government records, I appreciate the long hours of dedicated research using Nazi archival documents for this book. Government archives can often be unorganized and poorly described, and considering that Shirer had access to these records not long after the war was over, therefore increasing the likelihood that they had not been archivally processed, makes the quality of the research done for this book all the more impressive. Shirer uses correspondence, diaries, journals, newspapers, radio broadcasts, secret military orders, and meeting minutes (among others) to provide insight into the minds of those administering the Third Reich, and those struggling to defend themselves against it. Being a journalist, his prose are not dry as one may expect from a history book but rather are very engaging.
Although the book is fascinating, historians have discredited Shirer's belief in the Sonderweg theory of German history. This "Luther to Hitler" belief sees Hitler's coming to power as almost predestined by the character of the German people rather than the international phenomenon of totalitarianism. When reading the book, I recall Shirer only briefly mentioning this idea in the beginning. He does not continuously return to the Sonderweg theory throughout the narrative, and therefore, almost makes this criticism negligible.
Those interested in a deep history of World War II will be disappointed, as Shirer dedicates only about one quarter of a 1500 page book to the subject. He also does not discuss the Holocaust in great detail, or perhaps in enough detail that a subject of such significance may warrant. Shirer's attention to detail on other subjects however, is evident in that he spends two chapters on the month of August 1939 alone.
Shirer's strength is his ability to take very complicated diplomatic situations, drawing on documents from all parties involved, and weaving them into a coherent and revealing narrative. The book's coverage of the prewar years between 1933 and 1939 are undoubtedly its strength, especially the discussion of the nazification of Germany, the Anschluss of Austria and Czechoslovakia, and the demands for the Polish corridor. Not to be left out is the overall portrayal of Adolf Hitler. Despite the reluctance of German generals to follow his suicide mission military tactics, and who escaped 15 assassination attempts by his own military commanders or German people, his iron will and belief in the superiority of the German race never escaped him until his final day in the bunker. He died believing that he was the savior of the German nation despite the destruction around him.
I began to feel sorry for the German generals, often caught in a position torn between following orders destined to fail from the Fuhrer (something any honorable soldier is committed to doing), or doing what the generals saw as tactically intelligent and morally right. More often than not, they followed Hitler's orders against their better judgment and led their soldier's to their deaths. It is a testament to the Triumph of the Will, as Leni Riefenstahl once put it.
A reader interested in Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler, or World War Two will enjoy reading this book. Because of the book's length and my average reading speed, Shirer and I spent a great deal of time together. When it was over, I felt that my adventure with Nazi Germany had ended and the great odyssey of the Third Reich had once again passed away into history.
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thousand year empire. The author was an American journalist living and working in Reich for CBS during the pivotal years between 1934-1940, when the world witnessed the Nazification of Germany. Prior to 1934, Shirer covered news events in Europe (among other places), and therefore also witnessed the growth of the National Socialist German Worker's Party and Hitler being named the Chancellor of Germany in 1933. As an archivist working with state government records, I appreciate the long hours of dedicated research using Nazi archival documents for this book. Government archives can often be unorganized and poorly described, and considering that Shirer had access to these records not long after the war was over, therefore increasing the likelihood that they had not been archivally processed, makes the quality of the research done for this book all the more impressive. Shirer uses correspondence, diaries, journals, newspapers, radio broadcasts, secret military orders, and meeting minutes (among others) to provide insight into the minds of those administering the Third Reich, and those struggling to defend themselves against it. Being a journalist, his prose are not dry as one may expect from a history book but rather are very engaging.
Although the book is fascinating, historians have discredited Shirer's belief in the Sonderweg theory of German history. This "Luther to Hitler" belief sees Hitler's coming to power as almost predestined by the character of the German people rather than the international phenomenon of totalitarianism. When reading the book, I recall Shirer only briefly mentioning this idea in the beginning. He does not continuously return to the Sonderweg theory throughout the narrative, and therefore, almost makes this criticism negligible.
Those interested in a deep history of World War II will be disappointed, as Shirer dedicates only about one quarter of a 1500 page book to the subject. He also does not discuss the Holocaust in great detail, or perhaps in enough detail that a subject of such significance may warrant. Shirer's attention to detail on other subjects however, is evident in that he spends two chapters on the month of August 1939 alone.
Shirer's strength is his ability to take very complicated diplomatic situations, drawing on documents from all parties involved, and weaving them into a coherent and revealing narrative. The book's coverage of the prewar years between 1933 and 1939 are undoubtedly its strength, especially the discussion of the nazification of Germany, the Anschluss of Austria and Czechoslovakia, and the demands for the Polish corridor. Not to be left out is the overall portrayal of Adolf Hitler. Despite the reluctance of German generals to follow his suicide mission military tactics, and who escaped 15 assassination attempts by his own military commanders or German people, his iron will and belief in the superiority of the German race never escaped him until his final day in the bunker. He died believing that he was the savior of the German nation despite the destruction around him.
I began to feel sorry for the German generals, often caught in a position torn between following orders destined to fail from the Fuhrer (something any honorable soldier is committed to doing), or doing what the generals saw as tactically intelligent and morally right. More often than not, they followed Hitler's orders against their better judgment and led their soldier's to their deaths. It is a testament to the Triumph of the Will, as Leni Riefenstahl once put it.
A reader interested in Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler, or World War Two will enjoy reading this book. Because of the book's length and my average reading speed, Shirer and I spent a great deal of time together. When it was over, I felt that my adventure with Nazi Germany had ended and the great odyssey of the Third Reich had once again passed away into history.
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LibraryThing member iBeth
This book is a page-turner, but it has so many pages! For awhile, I thought reading this book would take as long as the war itself. But I'm glad I read it. Shirer's account is well-written, thoroughly backed with documentary evidence (including secret Nazi documents captured by the Allies),
I agree with a previous reviewer that maps would have been very helpful.
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enhanced with his personal recollections of important people and events from his experiences as a foreign correspondent. Sometimes I had trouble with the names--though I believe I am more well-read about Nazis than many, I find it difficult to sort out the various pre-war ambassadors from Berlin to Vienna, for example. Other times I found the material unbearable, as with eyewitness accounts of Einsatzgruppen massacres. But mostly I was fascinated and appalled to read this history of the Third Reich. The edition I read contained an afterward written after the fall of the Berlin wall, in which Shirer worries about what a reunified Germany would do next. After the events presented in this book, I am hoping the Germans have learned the folly of world domination, but I can also see why Shirer would be concerned.I agree with a previous reviewer that maps would have been very helpful.
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LibraryThing member Arctic-Stranger
I suppose there are other histories of the Third Reich out there, but this is the one to read if you are only going to read one. Shirer has two advantages over most other authors. First, he was there. Second, he is great writer and good researcher. Although a lot of research has been done since,
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this is still a great place to start. Show Less
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
This book was on the family bookshelf before I was born, and I can't remember how old I was when I first read it--possibly under twelve. So it was certainly one of my formative introductions to the story of Nazi Germany. Shirer experienced the Third Reich first hand as a reporter posted to
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Berlin--he'd later publish his diary of those years. And he certainly makes his contempt of the Nazis clear. Some criticize him for that, feeling it shows a lack of objectivity, but Good God who could blame him? Nor have I ever read anyone who disputes his facts or can say this isn't well researched and documented. And many would still name this book as the book to read on the Nazis, their rise and fall. The thing is of toe-crushing heft, but even as a pretty young reader I found it fascinating, and a reread when I was at a much more mature age it still held up. One of the greatest works of history I've ever read. Show Less
LibraryThing member highlander6022
The absolute favorite of all the books about World War II that I have read - the definitive history of Nazi Germany. If you want to start reading about WWII to gain the core understanding of Germany's role, this is the place to start.
LibraryThing member wweisser
I've read this twice. Best non-fiction book ever.
LibraryThing member scartertn
This is a really tough book to get through. I made it half way through and finally had to throw in the towel. It got to the point that it was like reading a verbatim of every move and communication of every political character in world war 2. A very thorough history but difficult to read.
LibraryThing member secordman
Perhaps to close to the time for some historians, but Shirer's contemporary account rings a lot truer than more modern WW2 histories.
LibraryThing member Pianojazz
The finest available one-volume history of the rise and fall of German National Socialism. Period.
LibraryThing member LisaMorr
I found this book to be much easier to read than I expected. I expected a rather dry history; instead, William Shirer, a wartime journalist, writes a history that is very exciting. The tome (~1140 pages) covers the rise and fall, as the title suggests, of the third reich. It also includes a
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biography of Hitler, and a chapter on the Nuremberg trials as well as an afterword describing the reaction to the publishing of this book (Shirer was concerned that 'real' historians would be very negative about it - not all were; also, it wasn't received well in Germany). One thing I found a bit distracting is that Shirer described people as, 'the fat field marshall,' 'pig-eyed,' 'shifty-eyed,' or having 'porcine' features. Written so close to the actual events, some of which he witnessed, probably made it difficult for Shirer to be completely objective. However, this did not take away from the fact that this is a very good history. Show Less
LibraryThing member Martin444
This is a classic compendium of Hitler and his Rise and Fall (and the denouement of the drama of that period in the North of Germany and finally at Nuremberg in 1946). His thesis of the bad Germans should probably be considered an idea from a specific post-war period whose time has passed, though.
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Shirer answers his critics very briefly and unapologetically in the recent version of this work that I read. Show Less
LibraryThing member JCO123
Is this the definitive book on the subject? It is extremely well researched and detailed. Extremely interesting and thorough. I'm not an expert in WWII, but I haven't read anything else that would compare to this. Of course, it's not all about WWII, just the German perspective, so you don't get the
I would recommend this to everyone interested in recent history.
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angle from the allies, but it does show the inner workings of the Nazi regime.I would recommend this to everyone interested in recent history.
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LibraryThing member KLMTX
Should be required reading. Remember history or repeat it.
LibraryThing member hmskip
Evereybody should read history. An unbelieveable story, but it really happened. The story of thirteen years that has affected virtually every person on earth.
LibraryThing member Borg-mx5
The finest book on World War II ever.
LibraryThing member bazzafr
Having struggled with digesting the ramblings of Adolf Hitler in Mein Kampf, William L. Shirer's history of Adolf Hitler's life & times is a welcome antidote. Though a vast tome of information and facts, it is an easy but absorbing read, an insight into the mind of one of the most reviled but
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fascinating characters of the 20th century. Despite the dictator's life being well-documented in books and on film, the book reads like an adventure story yet it provides context, both political and personal, historical and chronological as it charts each stage leading to the summit of his career and his eventual downfall. An easy read on a complex subject. Show Less
LibraryThing member M.L.Robison
This is by far the pinnacle for informative works on the Third Reich. You can not find a more in depth book that follows the Reich from birth to death. Beautifully composed by Mr. Shrier who literally witnessed the Reich from birth to end. This work follows not only Adolph Hitler but also closely
Anyone who is a scholar of military, political and cultural history needs to set the time aside in their life to read this work.
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examines all of the players that made the membership and cabinet of the regime.Anyone who is a scholar of military, political and cultural history needs to set the time aside in their life to read this work.
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LibraryThing member dhinden
This was the choice of our Bancroft 2.0 history book club and this was my fourth (maybe even fifth) and definitely last reading of this classic. It is a great, but not perfect book. Shire could have saved a hundred or more pages by editing his treatment of the political intrigues that preceded
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Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor in January 1933 and the attempted coups in the last year of the war. But the writing is truly incredible, long, lucid, passionate sentences that almost demand being read out lead. And his historical judgments, although made very soon after the fact, are sound. It is impossible not to see the parallels to our recent politics and today Russia has invaded Ukraine. One cannot help but feel that here we go again. The long chapter, The New Order, is in my opinion the best (and most nightmarish) indictment I have ever read and I wish it were on a universal required reading list. It is hard to get one’s head around the cruelty and inhumanity of the leaders of the Third Reich, but I have not the slightest doubt that it could all happen again and it could happen here. Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1960
Physical description
1280 p.; 6.12 inches
ISBN
9781451651683