The End

The Defiance and Destruction of Hitler's Germany, 1944-1945

By: Ian Kershaw

Narrated by: Sean Pratt

Length: 18 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

From the preeminent Hitler biographer, a fascinating and original exploration of how the Third Reich was willing and able to fight to the bitter end of World War II.

Countless books have been written about why Nazi Germany lost World War II, yet remarkably little attention has been paid to the equally vital question of how and why it was able to hold out as long as it did. The Third Reich did not surrender until Germany had been left in ruins and was almost completely occupied. Even in the near-apocalyptic final months, when the war was plainly lost, the Nazis refused to sue for peace. Historically, this is extremely rare.

Drawing on original testimony from ordinary Germans and arch-Nazis alike, award-winning historian Ian Kershaw explores this fascinating question in a gripping and focused narrative that begins with the failed bomb plot in July 1944 and ends with the German capitulation in May 1945. Hitler, desperate to avoid a repeat of the "disgraceful" German surrender in 1918, was of course critical to the Third Reich's fanatical determination, but his power was sustained only because those below him were unable, or unwilling, to challenge it. Even as the military situation grew increasingly hopeless, Wehrmacht generals fought on, their orders largely obeyed, and the regime continued its ruthless persecution of Jews, prisoners, and foreign workers. Even beneath the hail of allied bombing, German society maintained some semblance of normalcy in the very last months of the war. The Berlin Philharmonic even performed on April 12, 1945, less than three weeks before Hitler's suicide.

As Kershaw shows, the structure of Hitler's "charismatic rule" created a powerful negative bond between him and the Nazi leadership - they had no future without him, and so their fates were inextricably tied. Terror also helped the Third Reich maintain its grip on power as the regime began to wage war not only on its ideologically defined enemies but also on the German people themselves. Yet even as each month brought fresh horrors for civilians, popular support for the regime remained linked to a patriotic support of Germany and a terrible fear of the enemy closing in.

Based on prodigious new research, Kershaw's The End is a harrowing yet enthralling portrait of the Third Reich in its last desperate gasps.

©2011 Ian Kershaw (P)2011 Gildan Media Corp

Critic reviews

"Kershaw's comprehensive research, measured prose, and commonsense insight combine in a mesmerizing explanation of how and why Nazi Germany chose self-annihilation." ( Publishers Weekly)

"[A]superb examination of the final defeat of Hitler's tyranny...an excellent portrait of the regime's death throes." ( Booklist)

"This is an astonishing story well told by the reigning English-speaking master of Third Reich history.... A carefully considered and powerfully told saga." ( Kirkus)

The End by Ian Kershaw

A really good synopsis of the final days of WW ll, and how and why Hitler's followers behaved as they did.

LOYALTY UNTIL THE END, DENAIL AFTERWARDS

This audible selection, THE END, by historian Ian Kershaw is an overview of Nazi and German attitudes from 1944 to 1945 and concluding with the end of World War II. This study puts to rest that Hitler and the regime did not have the backing of most of the German people and Wehrmacht. The author lays out that indeed, despite myths propagated after WW II the great majority of Germans still had faith in Hitler until the end, and were loyal to the Nazi regime. It shines light on just how many of the high ranking military, not in the SS, were fanatical and loyal Nazis. And, shows Albert Speer for what he was, a Hitler sycophant and party loyalist. A great addition to any WW II library.

Learned so much I didn't know! A must read!

I teach history and have several degrees and thought I knew it all about the end days of the Nazi regime! Boy, was I wrong! This was more about the end days of the German PEOPLE than Hitler and his regime! The stories of not only the prisoners on the march as the Russians advanced but the German people and how they went to great lengths to not only stay loyal and believe to the end but give up their lives and freedoms in a Germany that would never be the same. The stories of the families who tied themselves together in a rope and drowned to avoid occupation were heart wrenching. Sometimes you forget that there were more victims of the war than those Hitler took down. This is definitely a book you need to read. It is the 2nd by the author I have purchased on Audible and I will certainly purchase more!

Great book about the mentality of Germans

willing to support Hitler to the very end. Catchy story as one had a feeling like being present in Germany during those last days.

Hitler's Third War.

What made the experience of listening to The End the most enjoyable?

The facination of "The End" was Hitler's third war, the war against his own people

What was one of the most memorable moments of The End?

The failed plot to kill Hitler.

Have you listened to any of Sean Pratt’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first time I've listened to Mr. Pratt's work.

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

As an animal lover, I was angered by Hitler's order to euthenize all the pets.

Any additional comments?

"The End" gives the reader a "you are there" perspective more powerful than "Rise and Fall of the Third Reich."

Important Work

This is an important work. I encourage anyone wanting to leave more about this time in WWII. Great narration as well! I highly recommend it!

An excellent historical analysis

Any additional comments?
So many say there is so little left to see in WWII. It has been all said before. But I would say people like Kershaw bring a revisionist eye to what we now know happened with the release of so many parliamentary papers. Why did the whole Nazi edifice hold together even when it was doomed. Why could the US, UK, French, Australian etc in the west just not move forward as expected by the generals and ultimately why did the German people not just throw in the towel? Just say enough is enough.

It's an excellent and scholarly achievement. Well done. Having listened once already I have already started to listen again. (And being a member since 1996 I have many 100's to select from and this is one of the best)

Did reality really present us with this story?!?!

The mere fact that this empire existed in the novel and evil way it did is truley astounding. Kershaw gives us the play-by-play in the last act of this strange ideological manifestation that Adolf Hitler's will projected upon this world that devastated so many individual human universes of consciousness. He definitly hates the third reich from every angle given his conclusions around every turn and may have good reason to do so. I can't believe the gumption the Germans had to execute the ruthless aims of Hitler and his paladins and lemmings.

Interesting insight into the end

First off, I was always curious as to how the Germans continued on the fight as long as they did. they were outnumbered on all fronts both militarily and economically but managed to continue the carnage way longer than the situation would seemingly allow. this book delves into the how and why this happened. really interesting. the only thing I struggled with was the narrator. I got used to him but he wasn't my favorite

Wonderful

Extremely engaging for all who study the 2nd Wolrd War. Accurate information as far as current historians currently see the conflict. Certainly worth it.