The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich

A History of Nazi Germany

By: William L. Shirer

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 57 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich is a vast, 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.

©1990 William L. Shirer (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“One of the most important works of history of our time.” ( The New York Times)

”A splendid work of scholarship, objective in method, sound in judgment, inescapable in its conclusions.” ( The New York Times Book Review)

A thorough History

Dark, moving, illuminating and depressing. This book is quite a journey. Taking an in depth look at the entire life of Adolf Hitler and the progression of Ww2

History at its best

If you are a history buff, this will thrill you. It is long but it is important and there is a lot to cover. The author did it justice and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Wonderful look into the heart and soul of the Third Reich

Gives a very in depth analysis of Hitler and his Reich, makes for a very interesting read especially when it shows that had one thing here and there been down differently or not changed then it would’ve changed the entire tide of history.

Long but Great

I just finished it for the second time. Well worth reading. iI's a good reminder of what evil can do.

Amazingly well written book. Wonderful performance

I couldn't wait for my next commute. I was listening to this book every day for quite a few weeks and would listen to it some more gladly, had it continued.

OUTSTANDING

Based not only on the observations and experiences of an American reporter who was assigned to cover the third reich, the book is almost entirely based on information found in captured documents which clearly explain the motives and expectations of Hitler and his gang of murderers. It is not a sensational, graphic description of the things they did, it is simply the organization of the documents they left and reporting what the perpetrators said in their diaries and commanded in their official orders. It is rather long because of the exhaustive research, although there is almost no mention of the critical role played by the code breakers in the US and Bletchley Park.

Author Ron Rosenblum has a great critique in the introduction to the latest edition of this book.

Great Work of Literature

William Shirer was a great journalist who became a great historian. He combines both in The Rise and Fall. I am struck this third time I have read this book at how great a writer Shirer was. This book is a literary masterpiece. It’s the faster 1,200 pages or 48 hours I know of. Great book. Grover Gardner great as always.

Well-written and interesting account of the Third Reich

Comprehensive, well-researched history of the Third Reich from beginning to end. Evident the author reviewed, compiled, and cited a multitude of documents, facts, memoirs, interviews, and sources from a variety of people, countries, and records to provide a lengthy chronological book outlining the rise and fall of Hitler and the Third Reich. Interesting first-hand knowledge and observations from this war correspondent who lived in Germany and Europe during the time frame. Lengthy book that is well organized into 7 Parts. Narrator was professional, spoke clearly, and had good inflection in his voice, making the story easy to listen to and extremely fascinating for readers looking for a complete account of the Third Reich’s rise and fall.

Great in depth history

Great in depth history, very detailed & very long (a bit slow going at the beginning) but worth the listen. Narrated does a great job, is not monotonous but strikes the right tone given the subject matter.

Incredible.

Just incredible. Listen to it. That is it. Just do it. It is so in-depth and makes you feel like you were there during many of the moments.