Hitler's Downfall: A Historical Look at the Years 1939-1945

Amazon Customer: This is an exceptionally well researched and readable book. Of course, everyone is broadly aware of the story. But this book contains dozens of observations and insights into the events, making it a compelling, fascinating read.

United States on Oct 04, 2023

John of Nicaea: This is a fascinating read, the second of a two volume study of Hitler who was the most influential personality of the 20th century. The author takes note of the different views of other historians and explains his own approach to the man. If anyone gets the feeling that a German historian might try to excuse Hitler's excesses, they can forget it. Volker Ullrich lays it all out straight and clear. The reader will find himself gripped by the narrative.

United States on May 09, 2023

Small AlligatorsSmall Alligators: This book has been printed for Knopf and manufactured in the USA in September 2020 - AVOID.

As you can see on photos, binding is simply incredible - seems they never did it before. Not one page is the same size as the next one - this ruins the book.

Pleasure to read a hardcover book lies also in its binding, printing quality on top of its contents.

This book was sent back to Amazon the day after it was delivered for a well deserved refund!

Now I will buy the paperback sadly...

2 stars for the research job! and sadly 3 stars lost of zero quality manufacturing.

How can Amazon continue to sell such a LOW quality books when so many readers complain about it... No idea...

Germany on Sep 29, 2022

Mike Hauss: Gives a fascinating psychological glimpse of the tyrant and the story of his downfall.

Canada on Jun 10, 2022

Photowyzard: I purchased the paperback version as the Hardcover is a piece of garbage in they way it is bound. The publisher uses a cheap, book club, binding but is charging for a quality run. I find that offensive.

The paperback is what you would expect. Tight, solid production. I seldom purchase paperbacks but I think this is your best bet.

The book is very well researched. I don't think there is much that is new, but what is researched is done in depth and the style of prose is easy to read and enjoy. I couldn't put the book down.

If you are a student of history, especially WWII, you have read most of the information in this book somewhere else. However, the information presented is very well organized and rounded out with great detail and there is enough here to keep you glued to the pages.

I recommend the book.

Canada on Feb 10, 2022

rarerare: Not sure how the publisher thinks this is an acceptable print quality. Especially given the price and the magnitude and quality of the work within it is so high. What the heck aaknopf?

I’ve still given it five stars because the work itself is excellent.

United Kingdom on Jul 25, 2021

Ronald H. Clark: This is the second volume of the author's well-received bio of the German dictator, covering 1939 until his suicide in 1945. While the general lines of these years are well known and picked over by other historians, there are some unique factors here which add to the book's insights and value. For example, why was Hitler so successful even in his early military and diplomatic leadership? I think the answer is his psychological insights into opponents--such as the British and French--enabled him to know when to take risks and when to be more conservative. Moreover, his early western European victories intimidated military leaders who might have otherwise resisted his tactical control. But his judgment could also be impaired, such as his belief that the Americans could not make much of a difference and that the Russians could be easily subjugated.

The author is quite skillful in probing how Hitler made key decisions and whom he relied upon for guidance. Goebbels once again assumes a major role here; his perceptive advice and skillful propagandizing really strengthened Hitler's hand. The author relies upon sources that have well established their insights: William Shirer,...

United States on May 02, 2021

JLG: My father served in Normandy. He's still alive today (age 97) and used to tell us stories of HIS World War II experiences when I was a young kid growing up.

So I decided to buy this book seeing that it was published last year with the added benefit of evidence and post-war history garnered from 1945 onward.

I was not disappointed. This book is a must read for WW2 history buffs. It is brilliantly and exhaustively researched (heck, there are over 204 pages of notes, references and maps at the end of the book).

The book is superbly edited and takes the reader through a veritable "blow-by-blow" of the triumph and subsequent demise of Hitler and the Third Reich in 1945.

Highly recommended.

Canada on Apr 18, 2021

David Shulman: This is Volker Ullrich’s second and very long volume (848 pages in the print edition) of his very detailed biography of Adolph Hitler. This volume starts after Hitler’s acquisition of Memel in March 1939, his last peaceful acquisition of territory in Europe. Because Hitler’s life is so enmeshed with the war in Europe, the volume is also a history of World War II from a German perspective. Much of his accounts come from the diaries of Hitler Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels, who figures prominently in the book.

Hitler’s goals were to conquer Europe and the destruction of European Jewry. He almost succeeds with the first and is very successful in slaughtering the Jews of Europe in the holocaust. Hitler’s war in the East is a war of annihilation starting first in Poland and then in Russia. In the West Hitler works with generals Manstein and Guderian (the architect of Blitzkrieg warfare) in coming up with the strike at France through the Ardennes forest which works to destroy the French army. Far from being a dilettante, Hitler knows his maps and military strategy. These abilities would decay as the war went on. Thus, as victory turned to defeat Hitler would...

United States on Sep 24, 2020