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)

Terrific

A wonderful narration of an excellent, important, valuable book. One of my favorite listens of all my many decades to listening to books “on tape,” which I’ll never stop saying.

A Definitive Work on the Third Reich

Having read numerous excellent books on the 2nd World War,
I thoroughly enjoyed W L. Shirers insights into the driving forces and individuals behind the bloodiest conflict of the War.

The other books were basically the WHAT of the War, while this time was the HOW and WHY.
Thoroughly documented, Shirer used the Nazis own words to provide the insights and narrative.

Excellently presented by Grover Gardner, my favorite presenter.

Required reading for all !!!

Book flowed very nicely and the facts and details weren’t so deep that the reader might get bored. Should be required reading in every school across the world.

Should be taught in School!

I thought I had a decent understanding of the nazi’s and their terror prior to reading/listening to this book. Turns out I was clueless! EVERYONE should listen to, at the very least, chapter 26 or 27 so the world does NOT allow such horror again! The guy reading the book is also excellent… great voice (Grover?)!

How crazily stupid nazism is.

I enjoyed the narration and Shirer is a great author. Now I know a little more of ww2 history.

the citations

I loved the detail every step of the way, the clarity of the orator

Complete

Excellent narration . Don’t let yourself get bogged down: this book is based on archives and records, as well as the author’s personal experiences in Germany as a corespondent. The book is very readable, thought provoking, and worth revisiting. Highly recommended.

Gripping and a necessary reminder in 2024

This should be required reading and study in every high school classroom in the world. Let’s all learn the lessons of the past so that history does not repeat itself.

Details

Liked the dispassionate presentation of the darkest days of man’s inhumanity to man, never to be repeated.

As captivating as it is disturbing

Beautifully narrated, this detailed and comprehensive account of such a terrifying time takes the listener back in time but mercifully returns to the present with insightful warnings for our future.