The Start

1904-1930

De: William L. Shirer

Narrado por: Grover Gardner

William L. Shirer was a CBS foreign correspondent and renowned author of New York Times best-selling nonfiction about World War II, and this is the first part of his three-part autobiography.

A renowned journalist and author of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, William L. Shirer chronicles his own life story in a personal history that parallels the greater historical events for which he served as a witness.

In this first volume, Shirer tells of his early life, growing up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and later serving as a new reporter in Paris. In this surprisingly intimate account, Shirer details his youthful challenges, setbacks, rebellions, and insights into the world around him. He offers personal accounts of his friendships with notable people, including Isadora Duncan, Ernest Hemingway, and Sinclair Lewis.

This fascinating personal account also provides an illuminating look into the lost era of pre-World War II - and is notable as much for its historical value as for its autobiographical detail.

©1979, 2018 William L. Shirer (P)2019 Blackstone Publishing

corruption rampant

a riveting insider tale of much including rise of facism and many fascinating portraits. Just tremendous and personably written

An Excellent Review of Decades of History

William Shirer gives the reader an excellent understanding of the events and society of the early 1900s. He is a magnificent raconteur who reflects the values and thoughts of people of that time.

Grover Gardner is the perfect narrator for this book.

Shirer accomplished more (had a wider variety of experience) by 26 than most people do in a lifetime.

This is truly a memoir more than it is a history of these years. World events happen in the background.

Not Just An Autobiography

This a wonderful history of the first decades of the 20th century in our country and in Europe. A splendid look at the life and times of a youth from the Midwest whose curiosity and drive made him a gifted reporter and broadcaster and, as we see in this volume, historian.

You are there! First Rate!

Shirer is the author of the iconic Rise and Fall of The Third Reich. He is one of the most underrated writers of the 20th C.

A journalist who was on the scene of most of the first half of the 20th C’s most historical events.

From his roving reportage throughout Europe pre- and post-WWII, Shirer observes, interviews and reports on the notable WHO’s Who of the era, whether in politics, culture or the arts: Hitler, Churchill, Mussolini, Petain, Chamberlain, Attlee, Michael Collins, Hemingway, Sinclair Lewis, Gertrude Stein, Grant Wood et.al.

But for me, what is most fascinating are perhaps the descriptions of all the lesser known notables and Shirer’s highly honed sense of timing and ability to distill what is important to the story and likely to be of the highest historical import.

Grover Gardener is brilliant as narrator, his style and manner suits the era and material perfectly. I can’t imagine anyone else eliciting the texture and ambiance of the times so on point.