Berlin Diary

The Journal of a Foreign Correspondent, 1934–1941

By: William L. Shirer

Narrated by: Tom Weiner

Length: 15 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

By the acclaimed journalist and New York Times best-selling author of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, this day-by-day eyewitness account of the momentous events leading up to World War II in Europe is the private, personal, utterly revealing journal of a great foreign correspondent.

CBS radio broadcaster William L. Shirer was virtually unknown in 1940 when he decided there might be a book in the diary he had kept in Europe during the 1930s—specifically those sections dealing with the collapse of the European democracies and the rise of Nazi Germany.

Shirer was the only Western correspondent in Vienna on March 11, 1938, when the German troops marched in and took over Austria, and he alone reported the surrender by France to Germany on June 22, 1940, even before the Germans reported it. The whole time, Shirer kept a record of events, many of which could not be publicly reported because of censorship by the Germans. In December 1940, Shirer learned that the Germans were building a case against him for espionage, an offense punishable by death. Fortunately, Shirer escaped and was able to take most of his diary with him.

Berlin Diary first appeared in 1941, and the timing was perfect. The energy, the passion, and the electricity in it were palpable. The book was an instant success, and it became the frame of reference against which thoughtful Americans judged the rush of events in Europe. It exactly matched journalist to event: the right reporter in the right place at the right time. It stood, and still stands, as so few books have ever done, a pure act of journalistic witness.

©1941 William L. Shirer (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“The most complete news report yet to come out of wartime Germany.” ( Time)

Incredible historical account of WWII

This historical account of living through the beginning of WWII is truely astonishing. I thought I knew the history of the war fairly well but to read these contemporary observations provides an entirely new perspective. The book begins with a number of interesting reflections of Hitler's Germany but from the moment the author finds himself in Vienna on the day of the German invasion, the diary enteries take on an energy and intensity that remains throughout the remainder. Very hard to stop listening. Highly recommended work.

Must Read/Listen as Companion Post-“Rise and Fall”

Probably a bit confusing if you haven’t already read Shirer’s “Rise and Fall of 3rd Reich.” Read if AFTER Shirer’s master work “Rise and Fall.”
The title is a misnomer as Shirer is ALL over Europe including Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal—cities along with Berlin such as Paris, Geneva, London, Brussels—PLUS Berlin.
The book’s recent introduction opines incorrectly that Shirer was unfamiliar with Hitler’s “Mein K.” as it “had not yet been translated into English.” If “Berlin Diary” is any indication, Shirer was a polyglot—most comfortable speaking and reading in German and French—but also Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. As you listen, it becomes clear that Shirer read and knew Hitler’s best seller quite well in its original German—and also utilized the German-language books left behind by their owners in the various flats he rented in Berlin.
Some reviewers have criticized this book’s narrator—I found him absolutely wonderful—chacune a son gout.
To what extent was the brilliant Shirer *really* that prescient as he predicts correctly so much of Hitler’s and others’ moves, motivations, and trajectories? Was there post-war editing for accuracy—or was Shirer a military genius who should have been hired as DC’s foremost military analyst during WW2?

Be there in the 1930s in Berlin

If you could sum up Berlin Diary in three words, what would they be?

Truthful, exciting, horrifying

What did you like best about this story?

This book lets you feel what it was like when the world-shattering changes of the 1930's were occuring. Shirer's incredible diary gives you a deep understanding, human emotions and backstory of the inability of the allies to stop Hitler, the reasons the French fell apart, and the incredible chances that were missed to prevent the march to world war 2. A must for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of the world at that time.

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

Excellent narrator, but a little dry at times.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The diary itself brings incredible frustration and bitter humor, as well as absolute disbelief in the actions of Neville Chamberlain, Englands PM.

Any additional comments?

There are too many parallels between our current fantasies of the world as we would like it, and the world in that time, to make this an easily forgotten or dismissed book.

A perspective from behind the scenes

I have read countless books on the Holocaust - from historians, researchers as well as survivors - but never from a person not intimately involved but yet very much part of the events which changed not only the map of Europe but our lives for ever. What struck me in particular was a comparison to Europe today with the Russian invasion of the Ukraine and the hesitation of the Europeans to get involved in fear of triggering another World War! Looking back in hindsight this account of Hitler's rise to power and his conquests in the name of a Germanic European Union confirms the belief that we do NOT learn from history. Superb narration which adds to the imagery of the vivid scenes.

Spectacular... He had 20/20 vision for the future!

Would you consider the audio edition of Berlin Diary to be better than the print version?

I don't know have print version, but certainly the narrator was wonderful!

Who was your favorite character and why?

There are no "characters" here... This is all REAL historical figures. I guess the writer is my favorite guy, obviously, as he figures most heavily in the story...

What about Tom Weiner’s performance did you like?

He has such a wonderful narrator's voice - passionate, yet soft!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me sigh - sigh at the stupidity of European Continental policy before WWII... when so many signs pointed to war, they took the then seemingly "easy" way out... doing nothing.

Unique glimpse

Having finished William Shirer's epic 'Rise and Fall of the Third Reich', I found myself wanting to know more about the man who spent much of his life in Nazi ruled Berlin, and Nazi occupied territory. His unique writing style and first hand glimpse into the war provide a fascinating angle of WWII.

Everyone in the world should read this book

This book should be required reading for every single high school student in the United States and abroad.

And every adult should be given a free copy.

Enlightening yet terrifying account of life under Hitler

William Shirers narrative is brilliant.One has to ask why the rest of t he world stood idly by.Shirers condemnation of people like Chamberlain is so to the point.Towards the end of the Diary he succinctly gives his view of the German people,no doubt this would be considered controversial today but it surely explains how popular Hitler was.

Review of “Berlin Diary”

Excellent rendition of the landmark publication by William Shirer, one of the premier journalists of WW II. Written in real-time, by a man who experienced first-hand the nightmare that was the Third Reich, Shirer provides a unique insight onto the mindset of the Nazi Regime, from the pre-war American perspective. His analysis is thorough and intriguing, as much today ad it was in 1940. As superb to listen to, as to read the book. Well done!

Couldn't put it down....

Early days and successes of Nazi Germany, told by a Shirer who was there to see it all. Reads like a novel.