SSH.Williamson: The Third Reich_p3

Seminar Studies in History

by David G. Williamson

In this greatly expanded third edition, David Williamson provides a concise but comprehensive account of the origins, course and downfall of the Third Reich. He analyses the reasons for Hitler's rise to power and looks at how the Nazi regime consolidated its grip on power during the period March 1933-August 1934. Further sections examine how Nazi Germany was governed and Hitler's economic, social and foreign policies both in peacetime and at war up to 1945. The record of the German opposition and the problems it confronted is also discussed.

Genres: History

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

David G. Williamson is the former head of history and politics at Highgate School.

Reviews

[Militaru Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

O carte ușor de citit, recomand celor care nu cunosc așa multe despre regimul nazist, cartea punând bazele unor cunoștințe scurte și la obiect.

[Emi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book delivers what it promises, detailed information about the Third Reich. But the way in which it's delivered is honestly the worst I've ever seen out of a textbook. The formating is poor, with sentence structures that leave you wondering if there was any proper editing at all. I cannot deny that yes, the information provided is detailed. It compresses it's readings compared to a majority of textbooks. But with the state it's in, I'd take a longer textbook with better formatting any day. If you can look past all this, then enjoy.

[Last Chance Saloon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise and balanced summation of the Third Reich, with lots of documentary evidence. The author discusses the views of other historians, attempts to view the period objectively, and provides perhaps the best 'Further Reading' chapter I have ever come across.
Highly recommended for those wanting a real, historical overview.

[ea · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting overview of Nazi Germany, presenting both the structuralist and the intentionalist points of view. Personally, I would've appreciated if the topics had been organized in a more chronological pattern, the shifts back and forward in time gave the reading a chaotic feel.

[Krocht Ehlundovič · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like very much this edition for students - it is a good and dense source of basic information which are necessary to know to master knowledge about The Third Reich. I use the edition as a supplementary material for my students, I highly recommend them to read it - some chapters at least (and make notes from it). I have to admit that it is not very attractive reading in terms of writing style as every sentence is a vehicle of facts (a lorry).

It covers the key aspects about the country and its regime: revolution, consolidation of power, economy, social aspect, foreign policy and perspectives. I missed other "aspects" such as culture, genders, every-day history... on the other side, these points would require a larger study, more detailed. The problem is, we are interested in "hoch" history - as it is our custom and tradition who we understand and want to know history.

I must say that as I study the topic more and more, I see the problem of the Third Reich more and more clearly: "the paradox of mess of the Nazi management"; how the system was inconsistent despite the traditional view of German: order and punctuality.

Chapters:
1. Background
2. The seizure of power
3. The Third Reich 1933-39
4. Foreign policy, 1933-45
5. The Third Reich at War, 1939-45
6. Assessment
Documents

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good general overview of the history and histoiography of Nazi Germany. If you are looking for a brief account of the Nazi regime, this would be a good place to go. However, it should be read in conjunction with other textbooks on the subject. I would recommend Frank McDonough's "Hitler and the Rise of Nazi Party," Allan Mitchell's "The Nazi Revolution," and Donald Niewyk's "The Holocaust."

[Hilary · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book did contain a lot of helpful information about Hitler's rule, but it's dull, textbook-y style had no art or beauty, and that made it a hard read. I'm beginning to feel like it is almost too much to ask that a book,fiction or non, have good writing. The information contained within the book was good, and the appendix held some very interesting primary sources.

[Karla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best book on the subject, but not the worst. I preferred Spielvogel but it is always good to have multiple perspectives.