The 12-Year Reich; A Social History of Nazi Germany, 1933-1945. [Hardcover]

Richard Grunberger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1971

How did people talk during the Third Reich? What films could they see? What political jokes did they tell? Did Nazi ranting about the role of women (no make-up, smoking, or dieting) correspond with reality? What was the effect of the regime on family life (where fathers were encouraged to inform on sons, and children on parents)? When the country embraced National Socialism in 1933, how did that acceptance impact the churches, the civil service, farmers, housewives, businessmen, health care, sports, education, "justice," the army, the arts, and the Jews? Using examples that range from the horrifying to the absurd, Grunberger captures vividly the nightmarish texture of the times and reveals how Nazis effectively permeated the everyday lives of German citizens. The result is a brilliant, terrifying glimpse of the people who dwelt along the edges of an abyss—often disappearing into it.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard Grunberger is the author of Germany 1918-1945, Hitler's SS, and Red Rising in Bavaria. He lives in London.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 535 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt & Co; 1st edition (July 1971)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0030764351
• ISBN-13: 978-0030764356
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #410,611 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A master piece and a must read, May 16, 2003

By 

"grahamhalle" (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The 12-year Reich: A Social History Of Nazi Germany 1933-1945 (Paperback)

I first read this book in 1975 as a 15 year old and have re read it again recently. It is an absolutley superb piece of work. It covers this period of German history in a detached and methodical manner. Grunberger explores all facets of the regime, giving the reader a unique insight into how the Nazi machine permeated all levels of German society. I may be slightly biased in my review, as Richard Grunberger taught me history at school in the 70's. He was as good a teacher as he is a historian and cultivated in me a life long interest in politics and history. I also suggest you read one of his other books, Red Rising in Bavaria

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book on National Socialist Germany, May 6, 2005

By 

M. Machado "Mario J. Machado" (Steele, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The 12-Year Reich; A Social History of Nazi Germany, 1933-1945. (Hardcover)

Note: This is the same book as "A Social History of the Third Reich" just a different title.

The inner workings of the Third Reich's Machine, unbiased and to the point. It covers all areas of humanities inside the NS Nation-State.

This and "The Rise And Fall Of The Third Reich" by William L. Shirer are the two books to have on understanding National Socialist Germany.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Read, August 8, 2001

By 

Lenny Lantsman (Brooklyn NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The 12-year Reich: A Social History Of Nazi Germany 1933-1945 (Paperback)

An excellent analysis of the Nazi era, that uses real-life people and such off-beat topics as Humor. It also explains very well and succinctly about the way people lived under the Nazis. The section on Business was appreciated as well since not many in-print books explain about the effect of the 1933 seizure of power on the Business. However it would be better if there was more in relation to the Jews.