Title: The Third Reich at War, 1939-1945
Author: Richard J. Evans
First published March 19, 2009
926 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780143116714 (ISBN10: 0143116711)
Rating: 4.38
Overview
In The Third Reich at War, 1939-1945, Richard J. Evans delivers a brilliant and comprehensive account of one of the darkest periods in human history.
With a masterful narrative style, Evans weaves together the stories of countless individuals, detailing the complex and devastating events that led to the destruction of Europe. From the war’s major battles and events to the daily struggles of ordinary Germans, this book paints a vivid picture of a society on the brink of collapse.
At its core is the Nazi’s brutal extermination of the Jews, a tragedy that forever changed the course of history. A New York Times bestseller and the final book in Evan’s acclaimed three-volume history of Hitler’s Germany, this gripping account is sure to captivate both scholars and general readers alike.
About the Author
The Regius Professor of Modern History at the University of Cambridge, who is of Welsh descent and was born in London, is none other than the accomplished historian Richard Evans. He has had a distinguished career in academia, having also taught at the University of Stirling, University of East Anglia, and Birkbeck College, London.
He was a Visiting Professor in History at Gresham College from 2008 to 2009 before becoming the Gresham Professor of Rhetoric.
Evans received his education from Forest School in Walthamstow, Jesus College, Oxford, and St Antony’s College, Oxford. In a 2004 interview, he attributed his interest in history and his feeling of being an outsider to his frequent childhood visits to Wales.
Editoral Review
The Third Reich at War, 1939-1945 by Richard J. Evans is a comprehensive and meticulously researched account of the final years of Nazi Germany, providing an in-depth analysis of the political, social, and military aspects of the Third Reich.
Evans is a distinguished historian and author of several books on Nazi Germany, and in this volume, he draws upon a wealth of primary sources and secondary literature to provide a nuanced and insightful account of the war.
The book is written in a clear and engaging style, which makes it accessible to both scholars and general readers. Evans provides a detailed account of the key events of the war, including the invasion of Poland, the Battle of Stalingrad, and the Normandy landings, and he also explores the complex political and social dynamics of the Nazi regime, including the role of Hitler, Goebbels, and other key figures.
One of the strengths of the book is its attention to detail, with Evans providing a wealth of information on the military campaigns, as well as the economic and social conditions of the time. He also sheds light on the experiences of ordinary Germans during the war, including their attitudes towards the regime and the impact of the war on their daily lives.
Another notable aspect of the book is its contextualization of the war within the broader historical and cultural context of the period. Evans explores the ways in which the war was shaped by factors such as nationalism, ideology, and propaganda, and he also considers the impact of the war on the wider international community.
While the book is undoubtedly a tour de force of historical research, there are some areas where it could be improved. The sheer amount of information contained within the book can be overwhelming at times, and some readers may find it difficult to keep track of all the different events and personalities mentioned.
Overall, however, The Third Reich at War, 1939-1945 is a masterful work of historical scholarship that provides a comprehensive and nuanced account of the final years of Nazi Germany. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the Second World War or the broader historical and cultural context of the period.
Rating: 4.5/5.0
