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The Nightmare Years, 1930-1940
- Twentieth Century Journey Series, Book 2
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 26 hrs and 56 mins
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The Collapse of the Third Republic
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- Written by: William L. Shirer
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 48 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
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.
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amazing.
- By Marcus Colangelo on 2023-04-05
Written by: William L. Shirer
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Adolf Hitler
- Written by: John Toland
- Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
- Length: 44 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
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Based on previously unpublished documents, diaries, notes, photographs, and dramatic interviews with Hitler's colleagues and associates, this is the definitive biography of one of the most despised yet fascinating figures of the 20th century. Painstakingly documented, it is a work that will not soon be forgotten.
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Stellar
- By Curtis Sagmeister on 2021-02-17
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The Start
- 1904-1930
- Written by: William L. Shirer
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 22 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
William L. Shirer was a CBS foreign correspondent and renowned author of New York Times best-selling nonfiction about World War II, and this is the first part of his three-part autobiography. A renowned journalist and author of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, William L. Shirer chronicles his own life story in a personal history that parallels the greater historical events for which he served as a witness.
Written by: William L. Shirer
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Berlin Diary
- The Journal of a Foreign Correspondent, 1934–1941
- Written by: William L. Shirer
- Narrated by: Tom Weiner
- Length: 15 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
By the acclaimed journalist and New York Times best-selling author of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, this day-by-day eyewitness account of the momentous events leading up to World War II in Europe is the private, personal, utterly revealing journal of a great foreign correspondent.
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WWII as current event
- By K. V. Horst on 2018-01-25
Written by: William L. Shirer
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The Rising Sun
- The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire, 1936-1945
- Written by: John Toland
- Narrated by: Tom Weiner
- Length: 41 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Story
This Pulitzer Prize-winning history of World War II chronicles the dramatic rise and fall of the Japanese empire, from the invasion of Manchuria and China to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Told from the Japanese perspective, The Rising Sun is, in the author’s words, "a factual saga of people caught up in the flood of the most overwhelming war of mankind, told as it happened - muddled, ennobling, disgraceful, frustrating, full of paradox."
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very well done
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The First World War
- A Complete History
- Written by: Martin Gilbert
- Narrated by: Roger Clark
- Length: 33 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
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Performance
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It was to be the war to end all wars, and it began at 11:15 on the morning of June 28, 1914, in an outpost of the Austro-Hungarian Empire called Sarajevo. It would officially end nearly five years later. Unofficially, however, it has never ended: Many of the horrors we live with today are rooted in the First World War. The Great War left millions of civilians and soldiers maimed or dead. It also saw the creation of new technologies of destruction: tanks, planes, and submarines; machine guns and field artillery; poison gas and chemical warfare.
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Eye opening
- By Xyo on 2022-07-25
Written by: Martin Gilbert
-
The Collapse of the Third Republic
- An Inquiry into the Fall of France in 1940
- Written by: William L. Shirer
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 48 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
amazing.
- By Marcus Colangelo on 2023-04-05
Written by: William L. Shirer
-
Adolf Hitler
- Written by: John Toland
- Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
- Length: 44 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Based on previously unpublished documents, diaries, notes, photographs, and dramatic interviews with Hitler's colleagues and associates, this is the definitive biography of one of the most despised yet fascinating figures of the 20th century. Painstakingly documented, it is a work that will not soon be forgotten.
-
-
Stellar
- By Curtis Sagmeister on 2021-02-17
Written by: John Toland
-
The Start
- 1904-1930
- Written by: William L. Shirer
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 22 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
William L. Shirer was a CBS foreign correspondent and renowned author of New York Times best-selling nonfiction about World War II, and this is the first part of his three-part autobiography. A renowned journalist and author of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, William L. Shirer chronicles his own life story in a personal history that parallels the greater historical events for which he served as a witness.
Written by: William L. Shirer
-
Berlin Diary
- The Journal of a Foreign Correspondent, 1934–1941
- Written by: William L. Shirer
- Narrated by: Tom Weiner
- Length: 15 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
By the acclaimed journalist and New York Times best-selling author of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, this day-by-day eyewitness account of the momentous events leading up to World War II in Europe is the private, personal, utterly revealing journal of a great foreign correspondent.
-
-
WWII as current event
- By K. V. Horst on 2018-01-25
Written by: William L. Shirer
-
The Rising Sun
- The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire, 1936-1945
- Written by: John Toland
- Narrated by: Tom Weiner
- Length: 41 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This Pulitzer Prize-winning history of World War II chronicles the dramatic rise and fall of the Japanese empire, from the invasion of Manchuria and China to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Told from the Japanese perspective, The Rising Sun is, in the author’s words, "a factual saga of people caught up in the flood of the most overwhelming war of mankind, told as it happened - muddled, ennobling, disgraceful, frustrating, full of paradox."
-
-
very well done
- By Frank on 2022-06-10
Written by: John Toland
-
The First World War
- A Complete History
- Written by: Martin Gilbert
- Narrated by: Roger Clark
- Length: 33 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It was to be the war to end all wars, and it began at 11:15 on the morning of June 28, 1914, in an outpost of the Austro-Hungarian Empire called Sarajevo. It would officially end nearly five years later. Unofficially, however, it has never ended: Many of the horrors we live with today are rooted in the First World War. The Great War left millions of civilians and soldiers maimed or dead. It also saw the creation of new technologies of destruction: tanks, planes, and submarines; machine guns and field artillery; poison gas and chemical warfare.
-
-
Eye opening
- By Xyo on 2022-07-25
Written by: Martin Gilbert
Publisher's Summary
The famous journalist and author of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich documents his front row seat at the pivotal events leading up to World War II.
In the second of a three-volume series, William L. Shirer tells the story of his own eventful life, detailing the most notable moments of his career as a journalist stationed in Germany during the rise of the Third Reich. Shirer was there while Hitler celebrated his new domination of Germany, unleashed the Blitzkrieg on Poland, and began the conflict that would come to be known as World War II. This remarkable account tells the story of an American reporter caught in a maelstrom of war and politics, desperately trying to warn Europe and the United States about the dangers to come.
This memoir gives listeners a chance to relive one of the most turbulent periods in 20th-century history - painting a stunningly intimate portrait of a dangerous decade.
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What listeners say about The Nightmare Years, 1930-1940
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Ira S. Saposnik
- 2020-02-07
None better
Shirers book is doubly excellent First by the very nature of the many eyewitness accounts of this man to things in history one can only imagine. Second by the always expert reading by Gardner Listen how Shirer repeatedly comes within easy observing distance of Hitler , Mussolini, Ghandi and countless others
The very best book I have. Of over 2000. Yes it’s that good
10 people found this helpful
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- Cakesy
- 2020-02-20
Best of audible
Wonderful narration. Having lived through many of those years, it brought so many memories. Having traveled so many years, the descriptions of cafes, neighborhood and streets in Paris and Berlin allowed me to relive my own travels. He speaks of Barcelona, the Estoril in Portugal and the river Tagus. I was able to recall Chamberlin, the Munich treaty, the rail car where the Germans surrendered in ww1 and the French in Ww2. Overall a great read.
6 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 2020-11-05
Just like being there
As the author recounts the historic events he has witnessed, the many conversations he had with top Nazi ,Gestapo or SS brass.
Or the tours of the front lines provided to him by nazi generals.
The detail of what he is seeing is amazing
It made me feel like I was riding With him.
The war as seen from the other perspective sheds light on everything fromGerman brutality to troop moral and destruction seen as the German army advances with the French and British in retreat.
4 people found this helpful
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- Kindle Customer
- 2021-12-29
Long deep read
While long and at times, overwhelming with names and dates, this is an amazing memoir offering an American newsman's perspective of Nazi Germany from within Germany at the time of Hitler's rise. The detail and anecdotes are superb. Grover Gardner is flawless as always!
2 people found this helpful
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- Dave Leonard
- 2023-04-03
Excellent book
Once again, Shirer delivered an excellent book. The narrator has the perfect voice for the material. I highly recommend this.
1 person found this helpful
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- KrisS
- 2023-03-28
Fascinating
Shirer's first-hand account of his experiences in the beginning of the war are eminently listenable. He writes very well and Grover Gardner of course is an exceptional narrator. On to the third and final volume!
1 person found this helpful
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- Robert
- 2023-02-25
Eyewitness & Man of Integrity
William L. Shirer is one of the most influential men of our time. Why, because he gave a supremely honest 1st hand account of the Monster of the 20th century. Whether by choose or by luck Shirer was in the right places at the right times and left his journal for all of us to inhale. No other man was given this opportunity & thankfully, Shirer recognized his obligation to mankind by sharing the dreadful experiences he witnessed. We all owe this uncommon man from Iowa.
1 person found this helpful
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- mike s.
- 2023-01-11
Good Companion Book
A good companion to The Rise and Fall book, filling in personal details of his life and career. Also demonstrates the everyday unfolding horror of living near the third reich nightmare.
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- CHRISTOPHER
- 2022-11-11
Well Written and exciting Memoir
William Shirer reports on his time spent living in pre-war Berlin. It’s as if you are there.
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- Ted
- 2022-08-27
One small annoying quirk
I actually read this book years ago, as well as Shirer's “Berlin Diary” and “Third Reich,” and have heard some of his original radio broadcasts (easily found on the net). The book's format, combining 1930s world history with a personal career memoir, makes for enjoyable listening and is a fairly easy way to learn about the run-up to the war, although you may find the personal interludes — job hunting, his wife’s medical problems, even his account of his first meeting with fellow CBS correspondent Edward R. Murrow — less interesting than the history.
This book relies heavily on “Berlin Diary.” The Shirer that emerged in those pages, and here even more so, is a decent but rather high-minded, humorless character who’s a bit smug about his discerning taste in art (El Greco, Picasso), classical music, and literature. One quirk of his that I found annoying in the diary and that annoyed me here is his penchant for reading way too much into the faces of people glimpsed in public. Hitler, walking out of a meeting or delivering a speech or even spied 50 yards away through binoculars, is always described as looking triumphant or scornful or glum or uncertain or filled with hate. Soviet Ambassador Molotov, seen riding past in a car, is described as looking “dour.” Not only does Shirer claim to interpret public figures' expressions; he’s actually confident he can divine the emotions beneath them: Of General Halder, sitting on a rostrum at some Nazi rally, Shirer notes “his classically intellectual face masking a weariness and a sadness.” I call b.s. on that.
P.S. This audiobook benefits from the usual superb narration by Grover Gardner.