The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich

A History of Nazi Germany

By: William L. Shirer

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Since its publication in 1960, William L. Shirer’s monumental study of Hitler’s German empire has been widely acclaimed as the definitive record of the twentieth century’s blackest hours. The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich offers an unparalleled and thrillingly told examination of how Adolf Hitler nearly succeeded in conquering the world. With millions of copies in print around the globe, it has attained the status of a vital and enduring classic.

Now, years after the end of World War II, it may seem incredible that our most valued institutions, and way of life, were threatened by the menace that Hitler and the Third Reich represented. Shirer’s description of events and the cast of characters who played such pivotal roles in defining the course Europe was to take is unforgettable.

Benefiting from his many years as a reporter, and thus a personal observer of the rise of Nazi Germany, and availing himself of some of the 485 tons of documents from the German Foreign Office, as well as countless other diaries, phone transcriptions, and other written records meticulously kept at every level by the Germans, Shirer has put together a brutally objective account of how Hitler wrested political control of Germany, and planned and executed his six-year quest to dominate the world, only to see Germany go down in flames.

The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich is a vast, richly rewarding experience for anyone who wants to come to grips with the mysterious question of how this menace to civilization ever came into being, much less was sustained for as long as it was. The answer, unfortunately, is that most of Germany, for a whole host of reasons, embraced Nazism and the fanaticism that Hitler engendered.

©1990 William L. Shirer (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“One of the most important works of history of our time.” ( The New York Times)

”A splendid work of scholarship, objective in method, sound in judgment, inescapable in its conclusions.” ( The New York Times Book Review)

I've listened to Grover Gardner more than my wife

It might be 50 years old, but William Shirer's book is just as gripping and just as important today as ever. It is amazingly well researched and the perspective of someone that was a close and personal observer to much of the Nazi period.

Yes, it is long. At 57 plus hours, my wife reckons I've listened to Grover Gardner more than I've listened to her in 15 years of marriage. But Mr Gardner stays claim and steady throughout and never gets upset at my "what?" His narration is absolutely first class. One can't imagine a better combination than Shirer and Gardner.

Personal impressions or Historical Facts

I don't normally have much interest in books about wars, but bought this book out of a primarily historical interest. I found it well written, interesting, long and perhaps having greater detail than a mediocre level of interest would require. For a general-interest listener, it may be a little too long and cumbersome. However, interest is maintained most of the time. (I am looking forward to getting back to a lighthearted novel now!) :-)

The audio book is well read by Grover Gardner.

My only qualm is that - as a listener specifically interested in historical facts - the author intersperses the book with too many of his personal feelings and impressions. Initially, we are bombarded by his concept of Hitler as the village idiot, and later he calls him the "insane genius". As a thinking being, I would prefer, after 7 Parts of accurate historical facts, to draw my own conclusions. In all likelihood, Hitler was neither of the two.

The book is focussed primarily on military history. I would perhaps have enjoyed more about the daily lives of civilians, and what they were experiencing, as opposed to minute military details. But that's just my personal preference, and as i've mentioned - I'm not too interested in wars.

Overall, a very good and interesting read.

Endlessly fascinating account from an eyewitness

For nearly sixty hours I was held in thrall by this history and the author's sources and insights.

I highly recommend it.

The definitive book on Third Reich and its Men

Where does The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

William Shirer's Rise and Fall of the Third Reich is easily among the top five history books I've read or listened to. Too be sure, some of the premier historians of this era, such is Richard Evans, may not agree that my characterization. But in my opinion, the fact that Shirer is a journalist, as distinct from an actual historian, should not be held against him.

Shirer's account of the history of the Reich - from the rise of the NSDAP brownshirts in the early 1930s, to the Reichstag fire and the death of the Weimar Republic, to the capture of Austria, Munich, the Battle of Britain, the aborted Operation Sealion, the launching of Barbarossa, and the ultimate dashing of Hitlers ambitions at the gates of Stalingrad and Moscow in 1941 and 1942 - is simply without parallel,

The book is meticulously researched, and Shirer's presence as a correspondent stationed in Berlin during the late 1930s and early 1940s make his analysis of the events of this period all the more insightful and intriguing. His insights Shirer derives from his first-hand experience in observing and even interacting with many of the leading men of the Party (Rohm, Strasser, etc), the Reich - (Goering, Himmler, etc), and the Wehrmacht - (Halder, Guderian, Kleist, etc.) - may be biased, but they are also brilliant and illuminating.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich?

The meeting between Hitler, Ribbentrop, and Molotov to sign the Nazi-Soviet Pact, as British bombers streak overhead. The diary of General Halder. The halting of the Wehrmacht at the gates of Moscow in Dec. 1941. The descriptions of Hitler's speeches to party drones at meetings of the Reichstag, such as it existed at the time, and especially his rebuttal of FDR's letter requesting assurances of his peaceful intentions regarding the countries on his borders. Wow, what a time, and what a tradjedy - kudos to Shirer for recording in a manner that makes it come alive so many decades later.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Far too long. But it's that good, yes.

Amazing buy for a single credit

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

absolutely. It might be too long for some people's taste but it is an entertaining 50+ hours

What other book might you compare The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich to and why?

If you liked listening to Grover Gardner, don't mind at all long audio books, and enjoy history, Shelby Foote's 3 volume history on the American Civil War is another great audiobook.

Any additional comments?

I enjoy that Shirer actually put forth concepts about how and why the German's were susceptible to Nazi control of Germany. However these are controversial and critical of the German people of this time which might turn some people off. In a nutshell, Shirer states that the Germans were subservient and use to taking orders w/o question, preferring structure and order to civil liberties, that and Germans love David Hasselhoff.

An essential history book; a must listen.

Shirer was in Germany during the nazis rise to power and this monumental historical account is based on what he personally observed (often in the same room as Hitler) as well as original documents seized by the allies after the war. Grover Gardner's performance is excellent.

The Best Book Written on the II WW

A wonderful, enjoyable read that all should read,and be at least be discussed in American schools. Full of details that even though I thought before my reading that I knew somewhat about I gained so very much from the research and style of Wm.Shirer.Yes, it could happen again. Next time it might not be Germany where it comes from. The only thing that can stop evil of this sort occuring once more is knowledge. Today in America there is too little of that. just have a conversation with the average high school student..

For historians this is a must listen.....

Where does The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

top third of all my 300 audible titles.

What did you like best about this story?

I now have a comprehensive understanding of the Third Reich

What about Grover Gardner’s performance did you like?

The reader did a great job with the performance keeping in mind the depth of this material

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Evil Fantasy comes to life

I learned so much from this book....

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

This is a biography which deserves accolade. This seems both balanced and human - drawing from many sources from both sides of the divide. The narrative lays bare the man that symbolizes all that is evil - his strengths and weaknesses. Yet in this man there are fleeting moments of humanity and a vision too unbelievable to imagine of anyone living at that time in the Western world. And his henchmen? How could he dominate and influence these to the extent that he did. How could man have such hatred of fellow man? Hilter was a man steeped in a philosophy that could not be spoken, and he did everything he could to achieve his aims with no sense of what was fair or legal. How a man from so humble origins came thus requires a book like this to string things together. Although only one historical version, a mean feet for the author and the (almost) 'in period' narrator who's diction takes me back to the 50s and 60s. A great listen. I could not stop listening and now I am sorry it has ended. A true classic. I could never have read it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich?

The death of Hitler

Which character – as performed by Grover Gardner – was your favorite?

Many characters.

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

Many things.

Any additional comments?

Amazing story

Revealing

This book is a true revelation on what why and how the nazi party rose to power and then took total control of Germany and then much of europe and then lost power and control and now is only a symbol of and for hate.