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Inside the Third Reich Paperback – April 1, 1997

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,118 ratings

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Speer, the Minister of Armaments and War Production under Hitler, the man who had kept Germany armed and the war machine running even after Hitler's mystique had faded, takes a brutally honest look at his role in the war effort, giving readers a complete view of the inside of the Nazi state.

Speer, the Minister of Armaments and War Production under Hitler, the man who had kept Germany armed and the war machine running even after Hitler's mystique had faded, takes a brutally honest look at his role in the war effort, giving readers a complete view of the inside of the Nazi state.

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

From 1946 to 1966, while serving the prison sentence handed down from the Nuremburg War Crimes tribunal, Albert Speer penned 1,200 manuscript pages of personal memoirs. Titled Erinnerungen ("Recollections") upon their 1969 publication in German, Speer's critically acclaimed personal history was translated into English and published one year later as Inside the Third Reich. Long after their initial publication, Speer's memoir continues to provide one of the most detailed and fascinating portrayals of life within Hitler's inner circles, the rise and fall of the third German empire, and of Hitler himself.

Speer chronicles his entire life, but the majority of Inside the Third Reich focuses on the years between 1933 and 1945, when Speer figured prominently in Hitler's government and the German war effort as Inspector General of Buildings for the Renovation of the Federal Capital and later as Minister of Arms and Munitions. Speer's recollections of both duties foreground the impossibility of reconciling Hitler's idealistic, imperialistic ambitions with both architectural and military reality. Throughout, Inside the Third Reich remains true to its author's intentions. With compelling insight, Speer reveals many of the "premises which almost inevitably led to the disasters" of the Third Reich as well as "what comes from one man's holding unrestricted power in his hands." -- Bertina Loeffler

About the Author

Berthold Konrad Hermann Albert Speer was an architect who served as the Minister of Armaments and War Production in Nazi Germany during most of World War II.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster; Reissue edition (April 1, 1997)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 672 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0684829495
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0684829494
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.2 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.7 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,118 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
1,118 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book very interesting and full of character analyses. They also describe the writing style as beautifully written and detailed, providing a very detailed insight into the personalities of the men at the top.

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79 customers mention "Content"79 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very interesting, informative, and one of the best WW II books they have read. They also say the story is mind-bending, personal, and honest. Readers also say that the book is an essential reference to understanding political life in Germany in the 1930s.

"...It was a fascinating read when compared with many other books of the period." Read more

"...This book is a great read though." Read more

"...his guilt with a grain of salt, this book does provide a fascinating insiders perspective into the third reich...." Read more

"...I really recommend it. It was beyond interesting." Read more

29 customers mention "Writing style"26 positive3 negative

Customers find the writing style fascinating, beautifully written, and detailed. They also say the book contains great insights into the inner workings of the Nazi regime and covers well the events leading up to the war, during the war and afterwards.

"The title is very accurate. This book gives a very detailed insight into the personalities of the men at the top of the Third Reich...." Read more

"Good read if you like German war history." Read more

"...This book is an essential step in achieving that understanding, as is The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich written by WIlliam Shirer, also available..." Read more

"...It is a very informative book and I found his writing interesting enough. Much of it focuses on his interactions with Hitler...." Read more

4 customers mention "Story"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the story in the book hard to put down.

"...From this point on the book is literally hard to put down...." Read more

"...recounts his experiences with a clarity and eloquence that makes it easy and enjoyable to read, despite the subject manner...." Read more

"...II stories from those who served Hitler...really well written and hard to put down." Read more

"Very riveting and hard to put down. Excellent!" Read more

This book stands head and shoulders above all of the Monday morning quarterback's hypotheses of the Reich's inner workings.
5 Stars
This book stands head and shoulders above all of the Monday morning quarterback's hypotheses of the Reich's inner workings.
This is an incredible book on so many levels, the most important being that it is an eyewitness, educated and very personal account of the Third Reich's upper echelon and inner circle. As much as anyone and more than most, Speer was a friend to Hitler. This book stands head and shoulders above all of the Monday morning quarterbacks hypotheses and outright false accountings of what really happened.Yes, Speer did have reason to embellish and alter the reality of his experience. I do not doubt that he did so, but not to any significant degree which would impact the truths presented in this book. Obviously he wouldn't want his legacy tarnished and there were things that happened that would do just that. Overall he was a moral man and his moral influence was a definite boon for The Reich. This comes through time after time in the book and in history, as well.Whatever way you look at it, it is an excellent read and you'll walk away more informed and with a new perspective.
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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2024
Read and know the human side of a terrible time in German history by a man who was part of it but who also had a conscience. I was particularly interested in his views as he had saved the life of my friend's grandfather after the coup against Hitler. Historically Speer will always be controversial but he also teaches us many lessons we need to know abut the evils of fascism. His books are needed for the many sides of historical accuracy. It was a fascinating read when compared with many other books of the period.
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2024
Have been wanting to read this book for many years. My copy arrived in fantastic, like new condition, about a week earlier than expected, and for a great price(<$22). This seller, Chaparral Books, which it turns out is in Portland, OR, my town, is excellent, and I would certainly buy from them again, and will recommend them highly.
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2024
Speer should have been turned over to the Soviet Union for torture, interrogation and execution. This book is a great read though.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2016
It’s been decades since I read Albert’s Speer’s memoir, Inside the Third Reich (1970), and felt the need to read it again after researching the German war effort for more than a decade. When I first read this book, the emphasis was upon gaining insight into Hitler’s inner circle since there were still many aspects of the Third Reich that were not well known. That was then. Now, decades later, we have a much better understanding of the inner workings of the Third Reich and Speer’s memoirs are but one piece. Furthermore, Speer’s prison-inspired mea culpa back in the 1970s seemed like the unvarnished truth – which is how he represented it – but this is not so evident upon further reflection. It’s now clear that Speer was intent upon ‘spinning’ his story a certain way, to make himself appear to be a more sympathetic and credible witness to history. After re-reading his memoirs, I’m not so sure that his effort to depict himself as a ‘prodigal son’ who believes in a common humanity was any more than a clever effort at historical white-washing. In any case, Inside the Third Reich remains an interesting read from someone who was a key decision-maker in leading Germany’s war effort.

Speer’s memoirs begin by taking us on his journey from young architect to his initial contact with Hitler in 1933. Hitler’s plans for aggression. Of course, Speer was trying to distance himself from any connection to Hitler’s war-mongering, although it is implausible that he was unaware of it before September 1939. I also find it odd how Speer barely mentions his wife or children or other relatives throughout 500 pages of text; they are only mentioned in passing, but many minor Nazi party functionaries get paragraph after paragraph. Speer’s mother joined the Nazi party, but it gets but brief mention. I also thought that Speer was an established architect when he first met Hitler but in fact, he really was a novice straight out of school with virtually no paid work to his credit. Speer does point out that Hitler was genuinely popular with much of the German populace because he delivered on his early promises about the economy. The author readily admits that he fell under Hitler’s spell and became a willing follower; Hitler reciprocated by praising Speer’s rather pedestrian style and giving him various ad hoc tasks to fulfil. Speer’s only complaint in the 1930s was that the Nazis didn’t always pay him for his work but when he saw the wreckage inflicted by Kristallnacht, all he could say was that “the smashed panes of shops offended my middle class sense of order.” Speer wasn’t blind to Nazi excesses; he was a moral idiot, like so many of Hitler’s followers.

Moving into the war years, Speer makes interesting observations about Hitler’s unwillingness to put off the reconstruction of Berlin even after the war in Russia had begun. Instead, scarce resources and labor were diverted away from war production for these prestige projects, which highlights that dictatorships are not necessarily more efficient at war-making. This wastage continued until December 1941, when the defeat at Moscow finally forced some scaling-back of civilian construction programs. By this point, Speer began making a name for himself as a hard-working improviser by helping to restore the railroads in occupied Soviet territory. Indeed, he positioned himself so well that Hitler made him Minister of Armaments in 1942. Speer, in fact, was very astute about working his way upward in the Nazi hierarchy in order to gain more power and prestige for himself – just like the other Nazis were doing.

Speer does have some useful things to say about the German war effort. He says that air defense took significant resources away from production devoted to ground weaponry, but faults the Allies for not repeating attacks on damaged industrial facilities. He also notes the total mismanagement of labor resources and he points the finger at Nazi party officials for refusing to cooperate with releasing people to work in war industries. He also apportions a large share of blame to Reichsmarschall Hermann Goring, who had his fingers in everybody’s pie; Speer describes Goering as very intelligent but lazy and he managed to screw up every project that he touched. The role of the SS and Gestapo is also addressed, and it is amazing to hear that the rocket scientist Werner von Braun was arrested by the SS in 1944 for making remarks about civilian use of space. Speer’s conclusion is that the German war effort was mis-managed from the start due to personal agendas and empire-building within the Nazi hierarchy. Of course, Speer omits how any of his personal agendas and empire-building may have contributed to this mess, as well.

Speer’s rationale is weird at times, particularly when he refers to Hitler’s “magnetic power” over him and another times he claimed that Hitler “paralyzed him psychically” which of course is intended to absolve Speer of personal responsibility – he had no choice. Yet other Germans could see Hitler’s evil and were not paralyzed – why was Speer different? He lamely refers to a half-baked attempt to assassinate Hitler in 1945, but says it failed due to altered security measures. It’s clear that this non-effort, which nobody else could corroborate, was inserted to belatedly cast Speer into the ranks of those who opposed Hitler. This of course is nonsense, since Speer loyally hung in with Hitler to the end, as if he had some kind of man-crush on him; in reality, he was always looking for crumbs from Hitler’s table – praise or new authorities. Ultimately, Speer was a talented conniver who put his own ambition first and Hitler was his venue for achieving his dreams. Speer lamely concludes that, “for twelve years, I had lived thoughtlessly among murderers,” as if he was merely a house-guest.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2022
While you have to take much of what Speer says surrounding his guilt with a grain of salt, this book does provide a fascinating insiders perspective into the third reich. There are so few resources that can provide a high level insiders perspective of the events surrounding the third reich. Since most of the individuals that were close to Hitler died or committed suicide before sharing their experiences, crimes, memoirs, etc. it is usually only from an outsiders perspective and analysis that we are able to learn information in regards to this period. However with Speer being a leader in the third reich and being part of Hitlers inside circle, his memoirs allow us to explore numerous pieces of information that are not as well known or spoken about in other historical pieces. As a WWII historian, I find that most pieces of literature or documentaries cover perspectives and information that I was already aware of, however after reading this book I found a lot of small details that I was not aware of that helped to add context to the different characters of the third reich. I would definitely recommend reading this book for anyone interested in the third reich or WWII history.
13 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2013
The title is very accurate. This book gives a very detailed insight into the personalities of the men at the top of the Third Reich. Albert Speer was as close to Hitler, at times, as any man could have been. He shared Hitler's visions of a Reich that would last a thousand years, at least architecturally. Hitler fancied himself as an artist and a would be architect. He found a certain camaraderie with Speer as they dreamed together over drawings and models of great buildings that would last the thousand years of the Third Reich.

This book tells the story of how Hitler's architect went from dreaming of great buildings to be in charge of all war production. Speer's organizational skills were extraordinary. How he kept up production of war materials in spite of around-the-clock bombing by the British and Americans was my main reason for wanting to buy and read this book.

First of all I liked it because it is well written. Second I think it is the only real objective insight into what went on among the leaders at the time. The real mystery is how Speer lived to tell the story.
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Lucca Canizela De Camargo
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb
Reviewed in Brazil on May 22, 2022
Very informative book!
Paul Sparham
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 26, 2023
Albert Speer. Was he really a Good Nazi? Yes, of course he was a good Nazi - otherwise he wouldn’t have been an intimate of Hitler’s inner circle and probably the latter’s only real friend since both men shared a passion for megalomaniacal architecture. I suspect his contrition (which is sometimes expressed in these pages) and limited admission of culpability owes nothing to the scales falling from his eyes like some latter-day Saul but solely to the defeat of Nazi Germany and his own fate pending the tribunal’s judgement.

This self-serving but interesting book is in three main parts: Speer the great architect, Speer the genius of armaments production, Speer the saviour of what remained of Germany’s infrastructure. Like Coriolanus, alone he did it. A postscript could also include Speer the martyr. Through his sentence and that of others Speer claims extirpation of blame on behalf of his nation. Leaders alone atoned for the German people. Perhaps he should have demanded crucifixion by the tribunal for added symbolic effect.

There are sins of omission and commission and it is patently obvious from the narrative that Speer omits a great deal about what he really knew and felt concerning the Reich’s unsavoury aspects let alone his direct involvement. Since he claims much knowledge ex post facto (or when he does admit guilt writes that he should have known better or that he was under the Führer’s spell) he’s bound to leave much out. What he leaves in, however, is interesting, informative and readable. There are even moments of comedy such as when he was scheduled to give a speech concerning the opening of Berlin’s East-West Axis to the assembled signatories and party big-wigs. Hitler would then take over, expanding on the speech. As the much anticipated speech consisted of two very brief sentences, Hitler was caught unawares, utterly flummoxed, not knowing how to respond to such brevity.

Of particular interest to me was the effect of bombing as experienced by the Armaments Minister. Operation Gomorrah in 1943 was a real shock that, in his own words, put the fear of God in him. He reveals that the apocalyptic inferno visited upon Hamburg was precisely what the Reich had planned for London in 1940. He expresses genuine puzzlement that raids such as those on the Ruhr dams or Schweinfurt were not followed up: the damage inflicted by the Americans at Schweinfurt for example was far more significant than realised at the time. And why, after the dams were repaired at enormous cost was another small raid not repeated to smash them all over again? On a more personal note he divulges that he was transfixed by and unable to resist viewing the pyrotechnic spectacle of the Berlin raids from a flak tower: the searchlights, AA fire, masses of beautiful target indicators and parachute flares cascading down all created a scene that was compelling and unforgettable for him.

Inside the Third Reich takes the reader through the Second World War and all the Machiavellian scheming and jostling for power is laid bare. The final insane days in the Berlin bunker have always held a morbid appeal and Speer doesn’t disappoint the reader, either here or in relating the subsequent farce of the Flensburg Government and his eventual arrest.

Upper-middle-class from a prosperous Mannheim family, cultured and well-educated he clearly cut a more attractive figure than many others at the Nuremberg Trial. He also had longer than other defendants to prepare his own defence and took tranquilisers to steady his nerves when lying to the court. One thing’s for sure - he wasn’t an understudy for Truthful James. He was lucky to narrowly avoid a much-deserved hanging for his usage and organisation of slave labour in inhumane conditions. Small wonder he didn’t appeal his sentence. So, after twenty years rumination in Spandau he wrote this carefully guarded but fascinating narrative instead. After his release in 1966 he merged his memoirs with material from the Federal Archive for greater detail and authenticity.

This paperback book is well-bound, the font is clear, contains many photographs and detailed notes referring to each chapter so two bookmarks are advised.
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Lans
5.0 out of 5 stars Penance.
Reviewed in India on July 13, 2022
A critical piece of history, written by an incredible and logical mind.
One person found this helpful
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cass77
5.0 out of 5 stars Illuminante
Reviewed in Italy on March 31, 2017
Uno dei libri piu' particolari che abbia letto negli ultimi anni, che da' una visione "da dentro" di molti aspetti del nazismo,
che e' molto inconsueta. Speer e' una personalita' complessa e uno scrittore molto abile, ed e' capace di sorvolare su molti
degli aspetti piu' controversi. Dopo aver letto questo libro ho letto anche "Albert Speer, his battle with the Truth" di Gitta Sereny che cerca di dare una visione meno parziale degli eventi. In ogni caso ne consiglio vivamente la lettura.
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from California
5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelievable account.
Reviewed in Germany on November 20, 2014
This is a must read!! And must have as a reference book. Not to gorget how it was. Unfortunately, tgere are many in the world now who did not learn the lessons of history. Fascism still exists and its bloody hands try to grab not only european countries but to spread into other parts of the world as well. Fascism is very much a survivor. It masks itself by using different names and tags to become unrecognizable and well hidden, but the beast lurks from inder the "socialist" policies, mass propaganda and mass culture still today. Highly recommended reading. A constant reminder of the nightmares of the Third Reich.