The Collapse of the Third Republic

An Inquiry into the Fall of France in 1940

De: William L. Shirer

Narrado por: Grover Gardner

As an international war correspondent and radio commentator, William L. Shirer didn't just research the fall of France. He was there. In just six weeks, he watched the Third Reich topple one of the world's oldest military powers - and institute a rule of terror and paranoia.

Based on in-person conversation with the leaders, diplomats, generals, and ordinary citizens who both shaped the events of this time and lived through them on a daily basis, Shirer shapes a compelling account of historical events - without losing sight of the personal experience.

From the heroic efforts of the Freedom Fighters to the tactical military misjudgments that caused the fall and the daily realities of life for French citizens under Nazi rule, this fascinating and exhaustively documented account from one of the 20th century's most important historians makes the events of the fall accessible to a younger audience in vivid and memorable style.

©2019 William L. Shirer (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Fantastic historical account

Shirer is, as always, is in supreme command of the facts—and in fascinating detail I have never heard elsewhere. He brings to life the causes of the tragedy I had only understood in broad terms. I can’t recommend this book highly enough for serious students of history.

Complete

In what area of this great historical tragedy could the author be found wanting? A great scholarly achievement, generates but one response-a thank you.

a must read

If you want to understand the world before the war, read this book. I had the audiobook. It os the second book I listened to from this author. It isn't perfect or unbiased and not without its limitations, but if read against the books of Taylor, Sutton and Buchanan, it gives you a nice insight in this avoidable war. The author blames Hitler for everything and Wall Street for nothing? who paid Hitler?

A timely reminder

Petain and Laval sought to make France 'great again' destroying the 3rd Republic and creating a Fascist regime. The forces supporting them were the uber-rich conservatives for whom democracy was a troublesome nuisance and the populous a mass to be manipulated. Anyone who disagreed was a radical socialist or communist. The democratic opposition spent as much energy fighting each other as defending French democracy. Septagenarian and octagenerian generals were oblivious to the changes in military technology left the country unprepared for the Nazi blitzkrieg.

Sound familiar?

The Fall of France in 1940 Explained

The fall of France in 1940 was misunderstood by me until I found "The Collapse of the Third Republic" by William L. Shirer. Since childhood I have read many books on World War II and I had always childishly taken the fall of France as a given; as if it were bound to happen based on characteristic tendencies of all Frenchmen to give up the fight as soon as possible. But this over-generalization of the French of the day was not accurate and the reasons for the fall of France were in no case that simple.

Perhaps the most important takeaway from "The Collapse of the Third Republic" is that French leadership was equally if not more influential than the general populace and military personnel on the fall of France in 1940. While you do find "worms to hate" in this book, you also find heroes to love. My understanding of Charles de Gaulle was completely reversed--from arrogant opportunist to patriotic hero--after reading this book.

While long and thorough like "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" by Mr. Shirer, "The Collapse of the Third Republic" is an important work of history and explains part of Nazi Germany's rise to domination of Europe. William L. Shirer and Grover Gardner have done an excellent job with this book.

The definitive acccount

Although a bit longish (I jest, it is looong.), the account is masterful and thorough. I know I will listen to it again in the future and, hopefully, fully digest the material. We get fall of France in history mainly as a corollary to Britain and Churchill's coming to stand alone against the Germans. What is missing is the story of how that came to be with the disfunction of French politics. This is that story.

All you need to know, to know what happened

Very interesting and detailed explanation of what happened, as well as a very substantial history lesson on the entire 3rd Republic. A crushing and brutal indictment of many of the players is delivered with a soft glove in a prosaic style.

Exceptional

Just a phenomenal audiobook. I first listened to the Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. Both are great listens

Wonderful Complement to Shirer’s Rise and Fall

Excellently written and perfectly performed. I highly recommend this presentation to anyone interested in how and why France succumbed so quickly to the Nazi assault in 1940 and the political intrigue surrounding the granting of unchecked dictatorial powers to Petain in Vichy France.

Typical Shirer- excellent

As with his other first hand accounts, Shirer brings insights and understanding only available to ‘those who were there.). While certainly painful at times to anyone who loves France, this book is well worth the effort to read and understand.