“The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich” by William L. Shirer was the first history of Nazi Germany, from Hitler’s youth through the Battle of Berlin, to be written in English. It continues to be one of the finest, as Shirer himself was eyewitness to many of the events and personalities he describes. Although lengthy, Shirer’s work focuses on characters, motivations, storytelling, and moral triumphs and failures rather than dates and facts; the end result is an incredibly readable work, one that brings to life this incredibly pivotal period of history. The book remains entirely relevant; not content to merely describe, Shirer examines the moral consequences of personal actions. He has come under criticism for blatantly labeling key historical figures as evil, cowardly, lazy, inept, brave, or visionary. While some claim this takes away from the work, it is refreshing to read such honest analysis, for Shirer does not make these conclusions without giving evidence of their reality. If it is true that history repeats itself, one would be wise to read this book.
Gist: very highly recommended
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