Rise & Fall of the Third Reich A History of Nazi Germany

Hailed as “one of the most important works of history of our time” ( The New York Times ), this definitive chronicle of Hitler’s rise to power is back in hardcover with a new introductory essay by Ron Rosenbaum ( Explaining Hitler and How the End Begins ) commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of its National Book Award win.

Since its publication in 1960, William L. Shirer’s monumental study of Hitler’s Nazi Empire has been a perennial international bestseller. The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich offers an unparalleled and thrillingly told examination of how Adolf Hitler nearly succeeded in conquering the world. With millions of copies in print around the globe, this is a vital and enduring classic—a superbly written, unsurpassed record of the last century’s darkest hours.

Orville Prescott The New York Times One of the most important works of history of our time. Hugh Trevor-Roper The New York Times Book Review A splendid work of scholarship, objective in method, sound in judgment, inescapable in its conclusions. Theodore H. White A monumental work, a grisly and thrilling story. John Gunther One of the most spectacular stories ever told.

"One of the most important works of history of our time." -Orville Prescott The New York Times

"The New York Times Book Review A splendid work of scholarship, objective in method, sound in judgment, inescapable in its conclusions." --Hugh Trevor-Roper

"A monumental work, a grisly and thrilling story." --Theodore H. White

"One of the most spectacular stories ever told." -John Gunther

The classic bestseller and definitive study of Hitler's rise to power, now in hardcover, with a new introductory essay by Ron Rosenbaum.

SINCE ITS PUBLICATION FIVE DECADES AGO, William L. Shirer’s monumental study of Hitler’s empire has been widely acclaimed as the definitive record of the twentieth century’s blackest hours. A worldwide bestseller with millions of copies in print, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich offers an unparalleled and thrillingly told examination of how Adolf Hitler nearly succeeded in conquering the world.

Here, in a thoughtful new introduction for the fiftieth anniversary of its National Book Award win, Ron Rosenbaum, author of the much-admired Explaining Hitler, takes a fresh and penetrating look at this vital and enduring classic and the role it continues to play in today’s discussions of the history of Nazi Germany.

The fiftieth anniversary edition of the National Book Award–winning bestseller that is the definitive study of Adolf Hitler, the rise of Nazi Germany, the Holocaust, and World War II. This special edition now features a new introduction by Ron Rosenbaum, author of Explaining Hitler and How the End Begins.

Ron Rosenbaum is the bestselling author of Explaining Hitler and The Shakespeare Wars and has written or edited six other books. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Harper’s, The Atlantic, and The New Yorker. He writes a column for Slate and lives in New York City.