Summary
William L. Shirer's monumental work The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich stands as one of the most comprehensive and influential accounts of Nazi Germany ever written. Published in 1960, this sweeping 1,249-page tome draws on captured Nazi documents, diaries of key figures, and Shirer's own experiences as a foreign correspondent in Germany to create an unparalleled examination of Hitler's regime.
The book was an immediate sensation, becoming a bestseller and winning the National Book Award for non-fiction in 1961. Shirer's vivid prose and meticulous research brought the horrors and machinations of the Third Reich to life for millions of readers. While some academic historians have critiqued aspects of Shirer's analysis, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich remains widely regarded as a definitive popular history of Nazi Germany.
Though primarily known as a written work, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich was adapted into a three-part television documentary series that aired on ABC in 1968. Narrated by Richard Basehart, the programs brought Shirer's account to an even wider audience, cementing the book's status as the premier chronicle of Hitler's Germany for the general public. Over 60 years after its initial publication, Shirer's magnum opus continues to inform and educate new generations about one of history's darkest chapters.
Plot
William L. Shirer's The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich chronicles the history of Nazi Germany from Adolf Hitler's birth in 1889 to the end of World War II in 1945. The book begins by examining the historical and cultural factors that allowed the Nazi party to gain power in Germany during the 1920s and 1930s.
Shirer then details Hitler's ascension to power in 1933 and the rapid consolidation of Nazi control over German society and government. The book covers major events like the Reichstag fire, the Night of the Long Knives, the Nuremberg rallies, and the implementation of anti-Semitic policies and laws.
As World War II approaches, the narrative shifts to Germany's military buildup and territorial expansion, including the annexation of Austria and invasion of Czechoslovakia. Shirer recounts the major battles and campaigns of the war from the German perspective, from early victories to eventual defeats on multiple fronts.
The final sections of the book cover the collapse of the Third Reich in 1945 as Allied forces closed in on Germany. Shirer describes the last days in Hitler's bunker, the dictator's suicide, and the final surrender of Nazi forces. The book concludes by examining the aftermath of the war and the Nuremberg trials of Nazi leaders.
Themes
The rise of Nazi ideology and Hitler's path to power
The consolidation and expansion of Nazi control in Germany
Nazi Germany's aggressive foreign policy and territorial expansion
The Holocaust and persecution of Jews and other groups
World War II from the German perspective
The eventual collapse and fall of the Third Reich
Analysis of how and why Nazism took hold in Germany
Setting
William L. Shirer's The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich is set against the tumultuous backdrop of early to mid-20th century Europe. The book primarily focuses on Germany during the period from 1933 to 1945, when Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party held power. This era was marked by extreme political upheaval, economic instability, and the looming specter of war that would eventually engulf the entire continent.
While Germany is the central stage for much of the narrative, Shirer's work also encompasses a broader geographical scope. The book details Hitler's expansionist policies and military campaigns, which extended Nazi influence across much of Europe. From the annexation of Austria and Czechoslovakia to the invasion of Poland, France, and the Soviet Union, the story unfolds across a vast European landscape, touching on events in capitals from Berlin to London, Paris to Moscow.
Specific locations play crucial roles in Shirer's account. The infamous Nazi Party rallies in Nuremberg, the Munich Conference where European leaders attempted to appease Hitler, and the Wolf's Lair in East Prussia where Hitler directed much of the war effort are all vividly described. The concentration camps scattered across occupied territories, symbols of the regime's brutality, also feature prominently. Through these diverse settings, Shirer paints a comprehensive picture of the Third Reich's rise to power and its eventual, catastrophic downfall.
Key Figures
Adolf Hitler: The central figure and dictator of Nazi Germany. Born in Austria, he rose to power in Germany during the 1920s and 1930s. As Führer, he led Germany into World War II and orchestrated the Holocaust. Hitler's fanatical ideology, charismatic leadership, and ruthless tactics shaped the course of the Third Reich until its downfall in 1945.
Joseph Goebbels: Hitler's Minister of Propaganda. A skilled orator and manipulator of mass media, Goebbels played a crucial role in spreading Nazi ideology and maintaining public support for the regime. He remained fiercely loyal to Hitler until the very end, committing suicide alongside his wife and children in Hitler's bunker.
Hermann Göring: A leading member of the Nazi Party and commander of the Luftwaffe. Initially Hitler's designated successor, Göring fell out of favor late in the war. He was captured by Allied forces and later convicted of war crimes at the Nuremberg trials.
Heinrich Himmler: Head of the SS and chief architect of the Holocaust. Himmler oversaw the concentration camp system and was responsible for implementing Hitler's “Final Solution.” He attempted to negotiate a separate peace with the Allies near the end of the war but was captured and committed suicide.
Rudolf Hess: Hitler's deputy in the Nazi Party. He made a surprise solo flight to Scotland in 1941 in an attempt to negotiate peace with Britain. Hess was detained for the remainder of the war and later sentenced to life imprisonment at the Nuremberg trials.
Albert Speer: Hitler's chief architect and later Minister of Armaments. Speer was responsible for designing many Nazi monuments and coordinating Germany's war production efforts. He expressed remorse for his actions at the Nuremberg trials and served 20 years in prison.
Quick facts
The book took over 5 years to write and Shirer ran out of money before completing it.
It was originally going to be published as two volumes, but was changed to a single volume.
The initial print run was only 12,500 copies as the publisher didn't anticipate much interest.
It unexpectedly became a massive bestseller, selling over 1 million hardcover copies.
Bookstores initially protested displaying the swastika on the cover and threatened not to stock it.
The paperback rights sold for $400,000 in 1961 (over $4 million adjusted for inflation).
It won the National Book Award for Non-Fiction in 1961.
A Reader's Digest serialization reached an additional 12 million readers.
The book was adapted into a 3-part television series on ABC in 1968.
Despite its popular success, it was criticized by some academic historians for its interpretation of German history.
About the Author
William L. Shirer was an American journalist and historian best known for his groundbreaking work The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. Born in 1904, Shirer began his career as a foreign correspondent for the Chicago Tribune in the 1920s. He later joined CBS as one of “Murrow's Boys,” becoming famous for his radio broadcasts from Berlin during the rise of Nazi Germany and the early years of World War II.
Shirer's firsthand experiences in Germany formed the basis for several influential books. His 1941 memoir Berlin Diary provided an eyewitness account of life under the Nazi regime. However, it was The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, published in 1960, that cemented Shirer's reputation. This comprehensive history of Nazi Germany became a bestseller and is still considered a seminal work on the subject over 60 years later.
Throughout his career, Shirer demonstrated a commitment to journalistic integrity and courage in the face of censorship. He left Germany in 1940 when Nazi pressure made objective reporting impossible. His relationship with Edward R. Murrow later soured over issues of editorial independence at CBS, leading to Shirer's departure from the network in 1947. Despite facing professional setbacks during the McCarthy era, Shirer continued writing and lecturing on European history and politics.
Shirer's legacy extends beyond his most famous work. He authored over a dozen books, including histories of France and biographies of Gandhi and Tolstoy. His three-volume autobiography, Twentieth Century Journey, provides valuable insights into the tumultuous events he witnessed firsthand. William L. Shirer passed away in 1993, leaving behind a body of work that continues to inform our understanding of 20th-century history.
