The Rise and Fall of Adolf Hitler (Paperback)

~ William L. Shirer (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

At daybreak on September 1, 1939, the German army poured across the Polish border while German bombers rained destruction from the skies, WW II had begun--"Hitler's war," as the British say.

As an American correspondent in Berlin, William Shirer had met Hitler, listened to his fiery speeches, and observed him firsthand. THE RISE AND FALL OF ADOLF HITLER is based on what Shirer saw and on his later research of the massive files captured by the Allies.

"Hitler's conquest was classic. He double-crossed his friends, massacred millions, plunged the world into its bloodiest war...and buried his own nation in the process. In Hitler, tryanny found nearly perfect exposition." (B-O-T Editorial Review Board) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

4 1-hour cassettes --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Baby-Preschool
  
• Paperback
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (February 12, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394862708
• ISBN-13: 978-0394862705
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,359,107 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Short, Concise, Informative, February 9, 2003

By	Matthew P. Arsenault (SW Michigan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

William Shirer, perhaps most famous for his comprehensive history, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, or his live radio broadcasts from Berlin during the early days of World War II, has also written a thin little book titled, The Rise and Fall of Adlof Hitler. Although the work is geared towards a younger audience, the quality of writing, and information contained are quality fare for an older audience as well.

Shirer, begins his work with a young disgruntled Hitler, arguing with his father over his chosen profession, that of an artist. Shirer then chronicles Hitler's days as a vagabond, moving from one odd job to another across Austria and Germany. In these early years, we see Hitler not as a maniacal demagogue, but as an eccentric wanderer, searching for nothing in particular. However, World War I brought the demagogue forth.

After serving for four years in the Germany military, Hitler, disgruntled with the Treaty of Versailles and the weakness of the German nation decides to enter into political life. It is in a small beer hall that Hitler creates the new found Nazi party and enlists the help of such infamous men as Goering, Himmler, and Hess. Do to Hitler's exceptional charisma, the Nazi party begins to grow.

Following the now infamous "Beer Hall Putsch," Hitler is imprisoned and begins work on his seminal book, Mein Kampf. Following his release, the book sells millions of copies and Hitler is thrust upon the national stage. From here, Shirer illustrates Hitler's rise of Chancellor, and ultimately dictator of Germany. He discusses the serious of invasions and coups conducted under Hitler throughout Europe and subsequent intervention of the Allied Powers.

Finally, Shirer chronicles the decline of Hitler, and his subsequent decent in to madness. His paranoia, greed, and ultimate refusal of accept anything other than total victory led to not only the demise of Adlof Hitler, but also to the German nation.

Shirer did an excellent job chronicling the life of Adlof Hitler in a short and concise book. This would severe as an excellent text for a high school history course, or for any reader who wants to learn more about Hitler, but has very little time

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Introduction for Kids to History, and Evil, February 20, 2003

By	R. W. Rasband (Heber City, UT) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I read this little book when I was in fourth or fifth grade, was knocked out, and have been hooked on history ever since. Shirer condenses his massive "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" for younger readers. It's a gripping introduction to a subject you could spend your whole reading life exploring. It has the "fascination of abomination"; a first, cautionary introduction for kids to the scary things that happen in the adult world. If you want your children to grow up to be interested in politics, history, law, etc., this is a good book to give them.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best account of a major political event, August 23, 2004

By	Charles Ashbacher "([e-mail])" (Marion, Iowa United States([e-mail])) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Rise and Fall of Adolf Hitler (Paperback)

William Shirer was a witness to one of the most incredible political events in the history of the world. A former vagabond, who never rose above the rank of corporal in the Great War, Adolph Hitler managed to achieve absolute power in Germany. Using a program based on the systematic destruction of others, he came very close to controlling all of Europe and northern Africa. Shirer was a journalist rather than a historian, so his writing is more in the style of a reporter than that of an academic. Therefore, his accounts are more in the style of a witness rather than an explainer.
This book is very well written and an excellent introduction for young people to the events leading to the Second World War. I consider it the best popular description of the circumstances of Hitler's rise to power and how he managed to win so many nearly bloodless victories before the war. Quite properly, the first two-thirds of the book deals with events before the start of the war in September 1939. It is one of the best books in the scholastic book series for young people.