The Third Reich at War

By: Richard J. Evans

Narrated by: Sean Pratt

Length: 35 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

The final volume in Richard J. Evans’s masterly trilogy on the history of Nazi Germany traces the rise and fall of German military might, the mobilization of a “people’s community” to serve a war of conquest, and Hitler’s campaign of racial subjugation and genocide. Already hailed as “a masterpiece” (William Grimes in The New York Times) and “the most comprehensive history… of the Third Reich” (Ian Kershaw), this epic trilogy reaches its terrifying climax in this volume.

Evans interweaves a broad narrative of the war’s progress with viscerally affecting personal testimony from a wide range of people - from generals to front-line soldiers, from Hitler Youth activists to middle-class housewives. The Third Reich at War lays bare the dynamics of a nation more deeply immersed in war than any society before or since.

Fresh insights into the conflict’s great events are here, from the invasion of Poland to the Battle of Stalingrad to Hitler’s suicide in the bunker. But just as important is the re-creation of the daily experience of ordinary Germans in wartime, staggering under pressure from Allied bombing and their own government’s mounting demands upon them. At the center of the book is the Nazi extermination of Europe’s Jews, set in the context of Hitler’s genocidal plans for the racial restructuring of Europe.

Blending narrative, description, and analysis, The Third Reich at War creates an engrossing picture - at once sweeping and precise - of a society rushing headlong to self-destruction and taking much of Europe with it. It is the culmination of a historical masterwork that will remain the most authoritative work on Nazi Germany for years to come.

Listen to previous volumes in Richard J. Evans' Third Reich trilogy.

©2009 Richard J. Evans (P)2010 Gildan Media Corp

Critic reviews

"Masterful….Evans demonstrates a fluent style and a sweeping grasp of the Third Reich’s history and of the enormous historical literature….Evans narrates the Reich’s end in gripping fashion as the Allies closed in on Germany. Evans’s fellow historians as well as a broader public will listen to this work, not quite with pleasure, for there is little joy in this story, but with admiration for the author’s narrative powers.” ( Publisher’s Weekly)

Elegant all around

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Beautifully read and beautifully written. You get a good picture of what life was like in Nazi Germany during the war.

Interesting look at the War

Would you consider the audio edition of The Third Reich at War to be better than the print version?

No idea

Would you be willing to try another book from Richard J. Evans? Why or why not?

Probably not as I was only interested in that exact topic

What does Sean Pratt bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

No answer

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No

Any additional comments?

Competent History of that topic, nothing startling or any new slant.

Fitting Conclusion

A fitting conclusion to Evans’ magisterial trilogy on the Third Reich. Well read, with very few flies in the ointment. Well worth your time.

There will be no 4th Reich

Despite how long the book feels, the narrator did a great job of staying neutral vocally but you can hear the pain in the most horrific parts of the war narrative. Excellent work.

Fantastic narrative

Evans' presents a very clear recapitulation of the events of Third Reich in WWII. His excellent prose shows Germany's gradual transition to a total war economy and the perversion of the Nazi's descent into promoting fanaticism in its last days. This Book along with Ian Kershaw's The End present a decent picture of the Third Reich at war.

Excellent

These books bring me into the Germany of Nazi period in a visceral manner.
Superb.

A bit rushed at the end

Only because the previous work was so finely detailed. I wish there was a fourth book Germany after the war. Great and expansive read. Well worth my time.

It’s an astounding book

We are supposed to live in a time with racism , nazis,etc. I have a PhD in history. I don’t think it’s true But, if you want to know what living in Europe was like when there were genuine nazis and obvious racism to the point where your life, livelihood , and possessions were confiscated ? Please listen to this. It’s not easy. Stalin said the death of one person is a tragedy , the death of millions a footnote story after story of individuals that will stretch the credulity of your belief system especially if you’re younger. Under 40. I grew up with this , stories from people we knew , reading , and when there were actually decent programs on tv. Such as 20th century with Walter Cronkite I urge you not to miss this and maybe you will re-evaluate what seems to be the current dialogue I , of course will let you decide But please take the time to invest in this. If you do ? Pure evil will become quite obvious to you, as well as how this gets established in seemingly decent countries

An easy, hard listen.

How is it possible to create such a historical and emotional rollercoaster ride masterpiece that is The Third Reich at War? It’s an excellent recount that is painfully honest and true to history that brought me to feel as though I was actually there. It has educated and edified me, and given me a great love for the German people and helped me to see the war through their eyes and to appreciate their immense suffering and manipulation as a people under the dictatorship that was Hitler. I had to turn it off several times due to uncontrollable weeping at the suffering and exploitation and murders of the Jewish people and others. God help us all to love peace over war and power. History does not repeat itself- but it definitely rhymes. May we never forget.

Great Book and Great Listen

Extremely informative! Does not deal with battles or tactics but the operation of the military and civilian response to the war. Also deals with the behavior of the German armed forces in its relationships with the conquered people!