The Rise and Fall of Adolf Hitler

I agree with some of the other reviewers: this is an excellent first book for a young person to learn about history. In his memoir "A Native's Return", Shirer says he was asked by Random House's Bennett Cerf to write a child's biography of Adolf Hitler (for ages ten to fourteen). "How did you write for young people?", he wondered. "You couldn't be condescending. You had to respect them. But you had to keep it simple enough for them to understand". It took his looking at young adult books by John Gunther and Pearl Buck to break his writer's block. Two years before his death I wrote to him, saying that - he succeeded. And I still have the short thank-you letter he sent to me.

This book doesn't have the detail of Shirer's much longer work, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. Instead the book is an excellent compact source for a reader who is primarily interested in Hitler, himself, rather than the complexities of World War II. It concentrates on the Fuhrer in all his evil genius. I was born in 1937 so I have had plenty of time to become acquainted with the standard lore of Adolph Hitler. Nevertheless, until I read this book I hadn't completely grasped how truly wicked this man was. At 179 pages, it's a quick read.

I read this little book when I was in fourth or fifth grade, was knocked out, and have been hooked on history ever since. Shirer condenses his massive "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" for younger readers. It's a gripping introduction to a subject you could spend your whole reading life exploring. It has the "fascination of abomination"; a first, cautionary introduction for kids to the scary things that happen in the adult world. If you want your children to grow up to be interested in politics, history, law, etc., this is a good book to give them.

William Shirer, perhaps most famous for his comprehensive history, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, or his live radio broadcasts from Berlin during the early days of World War II, has also written a thin little book titled, The Rise and Fall of Adlof Hitler. Although the work is geared towards a younger audience, the quality of writing, and information contained are quality fare for an older audience as well. Shirer, begins his work with a young disgruntled Hitler, arguing with his father over his chosen profession, that of an artist. Shirer then chronicles Hitler's days as a vagabond, moving from one odd job to another across Austria and Germany. In these early years, we see Hitler not as a maniacal demagogue, but as an eccentric wanderer, searching for nothing in particular. However, World War I brought the demagogue forth. After serving for four years in the Germany military, Hitler, disgruntled with the Treaty of Versailles and the weakness of the German nation decides to enter into political life. It is in a small beer hall that Hitler creates the new found Nazi party and enlists the help of such infamous men as Goering, Himmler, and Hess. Do to Hitler's exceptional charisma, the Nazi party begins to grow. Following the now infamous "Beer Hall Putsch," Hitler is imprisoned and begins work on his seminal book, Mein Kampf. Following his release, the book sells millions of copies and Hitler is thrust upon the national stage. From here, Shirer illustrates Hitler's rise of Chancellor, and ultimately dictator of Germany. He discusses the serious of invasions and coups conducted under Hitler throughout Europe and subsequent intervention of the Allied Powers. Finally, Shirer chronicles the decline of Hitler, and his subsequent decent in to madness. His paranoia, greed, and ultimate refusal of accept anything other than total victory led to not only the demise of Adlof Hitler, but also to the German nation. Shirer did an excellent job chronicling the life of Adlof Hitler in a short and concise book. This would severe as an excellent text for a high school history course, or for any reader who wants to learn more about Hitler, but has very little time

This book tells so much about Adolf Hitler. How he lived his life and what it was like. William L. Shirer writes this in a first person perspective. He actually witnessed these things happening and lives to tell about them.