The Collapse of the Third Republic

An Inquiry into the Fall of France in 1940

De: William L. Shirer

Narrado por: Grover Gardner

As an international war correspondent and radio commentator, William L. Shirer didn't just research the fall of France. He was there. In just six weeks, he watched the Third Reich topple one of the world's oldest military powers - and institute a rule of terror and paranoia.

Based on in-person conversation with the leaders, diplomats, generals, and ordinary citizens who both shaped the events of this time and lived through them on a daily basis, Shirer shapes a compelling account of historical events - without losing sight of the personal experience.

From the heroic efforts of the Freedom Fighters to the tactical military misjudgments that caused the fall and the daily realities of life for French citizens under Nazi rule, this fascinating and exhaustively documented account from one of the 20th century's most important historians makes the events of the fall accessible to a younger audience in vivid and memorable style.

©2019 William L. Shirer (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

history lover

great narration, lots of details about characters involved so you really get to know them, leads to greater understanding of France's fall.

a Literary and Historical " Tour d'Force"

Long, detailed and a REALLY GREAT READ.. In these troubled times this book reiterates how the lessons of the past can affect the events of the future. This book and Shirer's prior Rise and Fall of the Third Reich should be required reading for any of our Senators and House of Representatives. However Society seems to never learn!

Great book, if too long

Shirer and Gardner are always such a great combination. This book is much too long in the early years of the republic, but more than makes up for it I the leadup to and unfolding of the events of ww2.

Great

Well written, well read. Enjoyed hearing about a unappreciated part of World War II history.

So much information

I bought The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich a couple years ago and absolutely loved it. I found this book and when I saw Grover Gardner did the reading I had to give it a try. I love the way Gardner reads Shirer’s work. It’s as if he was sitting across from you looking into a glass of Scotch and telling you a story.

This is a story of the ant and the grasshopper. The ant works hard all summer to prepare for winter and the grasshopper just plays and relaxes. Then winter comes, there is no food and the grasshopper complains and blames everyone else for its problems. The French government had so many warnings about what Germany was planning and they just stick their heads in the sand.

Shirer goes into so much detail on the subject you will almost be a scholar when you finish the book. The first part of the book is the backstory which starts in the late 1800s. I had a difficult time staying into the book at times because I didn’t know any of the people. Shirer is building a foundation and setting the tone for the eventual collapse of France. The second half of the book I could not get enough of. I throughly enjoyed it and I am thrilled to have it in my collection.