What do you think?
Rate this book
The Rise of Nazi Germany: The History of the Events that Brought Adolf Hitler to Power
*Includes pictures
*Profiles the seminal events that helped Hitler rise to power and consolidate his position, including the end of World War I, the Beer Hall Putsch, the Burning of the Reichstag, and the Night of the Long Knives
*Includes online resources for further reading
*Includes a table of contents
“I cannot remember in my entire life such a change in the attitude of a crowd in a few minutes, almost a few seconds ... Hitler had turned them inside out, as one turns a glove inside out, with a few sentences. It had almost something of hocus-pocus, or magic about it.” - Dr. Karl Alexander von Mueller
It is often claimed that Adolf Hitler rose to power in Germany through democratic means, and while that is a stretch, it is true that he managed to become an absolute dictator as Chancellor of Germany in the 1930s through a mixture of politics and intimidation. Ironically, he had set such a course only because of the failure of an outright coup attempt known as the Beer Hall Putsch about a decade earlier.
At the close of World War I, Hitler was an impoverished young artist who scrapped by through selling souvenir paintings, but within a few years, his powerful oratory brought him to the forefront of the Nazi party in Munich and helped make the party much more popular. A smattering of followers in the hundreds quickly became a party of thousands, with paramilitary forces like the SA backing them, and at the head of it all was a man whose fiery orations denounced Jews, communists and other “traitors” for bringing upon the German nation the Treaty of Versailles, which had led to hyperinflation and a wrecked economy.
The early 1930s were a tumultuous period for German politics, even in comparison to the ongoing transition to the modern era that caused various forms of chaos throughout the rest of the world. In the United States, reliance on the outdated gold standard and an absurdly parsimonious monetary policy helped bring about the Great Depression. Meanwhile, the Empire of Japan began its ultimately fatal adventurism with the invasion of Manchuria, alienating the rest of the world with the atrocities it committed. Around the same time, Gandhi began his drive for the peaceful independence of India through nonviolent protests against the British.
It was in Germany, however, that the strongest seeds of future tragedy were sown. The struggling Weimar Republic had become a breeding ground for extremist politics, including two opposed and powerful authoritarian entities: the right-wing National Socialists and the left-wing KPD Communist Party. As the 1930s dawned, these two totalitarian groups held one another in a temporary stalemate, enabling the fragile ghost of democracy to continue a largely illusory survival for a few more years.
That stalemate was broken in dramatic fashion on a bitterly cold night in late February 1933, and it was the Nazis who emerged decisively as the victors. A single act of arson against the famous Reichstag building proved to be the catalyst that propelled Adolf Hitler to victory in the elections of March 1933, which set the German nation irrevocably on the path towards World War II.
Like other totalitarian regimes, the leader of the Nazis kept an iron grip on power in part by making sure nobody else could attain too much of it, leading to purges of high-ranking officials in the Nazi party. Of these purges, the most notorious was the Night of the Long Knives, a purge in the summer of 1934 that came about when Hitler ordered the surprise executions of several dozen leaders of the SA. This fanatically National Socialist paramilitary organization had been a key instrument in overthrowing democratic government in Germany and raising Hitler to dictatorial power in the first place.
*Profiles the seminal events that helped Hitler rise to power and consolidate his position, including the end of World War I, the Beer Hall Putsch, the Burning of the Reichstag, and the Night of the Long Knives
*Includes online resources for further reading
*Includes a table of contents
“I cannot remember in my entire life such a change in the attitude of a crowd in a few minutes, almost a few seconds ... Hitler had turned them inside out, as one turns a glove inside out, with a few sentences. It had almost something of hocus-pocus, or magic about it.” - Dr. Karl Alexander von Mueller
It is often claimed that Adolf Hitler rose to power in Germany through democratic means, and while that is a stretch, it is true that he managed to become an absolute dictator as Chancellor of Germany in the 1930s through a mixture of politics and intimidation. Ironically, he had set such a course only because of the failure of an outright coup attempt known as the Beer Hall Putsch about a decade earlier.
At the close of World War I, Hitler was an impoverished young artist who scrapped by through selling souvenir paintings, but within a few years, his powerful oratory brought him to the forefront of the Nazi party in Munich and helped make the party much more popular. A smattering of followers in the hundreds quickly became a party of thousands, with paramilitary forces like the SA backing them, and at the head of it all was a man whose fiery orations denounced Jews, communists and other “traitors” for bringing upon the German nation the Treaty of Versailles, which had led to hyperinflation and a wrecked economy.
The early 1930s were a tumultuous period for German politics, even in comparison to the ongoing transition to the modern era that caused various forms of chaos throughout the rest of the world. In the United States, reliance on the outdated gold standard and an absurdly parsimonious monetary policy helped bring about the Great Depression. Meanwhile, the Empire of Japan began its ultimately fatal adventurism with the invasion of Manchuria, alienating the rest of the world with the atrocities it committed. Around the same time, Gandhi began his drive for the peaceful independence of India through nonviolent protests against the British.
It was in Germany, however, that the strongest seeds of future tragedy were sown. The struggling Weimar Republic had become a breeding ground for extremist politics, including two opposed and powerful authoritarian entities: the right-wing National Socialists and the left-wing KPD Communist Party. As the 1930s dawned, these two totalitarian groups held one another in a temporary stalemate, enabling the fragile ghost of democracy to continue a largely illusory survival for a few more years.
That stalemate was broken in dramatic fashion on a bitterly cold night in late February 1933, and it was the Nazis who emerged decisively as the victors. A single act of arson against the famous Reichstag building proved to be the catalyst that propelled Adolf Hitler to victory in the elections of March 1933, which set the German nation irrevocably on the path towards World War II.
Like other totalitarian regimes, the leader of the Nazis kept an iron grip on power in part by making sure nobody else could attain too much of it, leading to purges of high-ranking officials in the Nazi party. Of these purges, the most notorious was the Night of the Long Knives, a purge in the summer of 1934 that came about when Hitler ordered the surprise executions of several dozen leaders of the SA. This fanatically National Socialist paramilitary organization had been a key instrument in overthrowing democratic government in Germany and raising Hitler to dictatorial power in the first place.
145 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 3, 2015
184 people are currently reading
666 people want to read
About the author
Charles River Editors
5,736 books279 followersCharles River Editors is an independent publisher of thousands of ebooks on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and Apple iBookstore & provider of original content for third parties.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 15, 2021
Having read some "Charles River" books, I am getting used to them. They usually produce a very good account of the subject, with a good selection of sources and some photos, images or maps. I read one of their books on a subject I had read a lot about before, and being very satisfied with that one, I took it as a standard.
Their books are not to be expected as complete, comprehensive works, but lean more toward a good overall short account. Choose one if the subject is new to you or you want a good overview. They appeal to me as good introductions, or if I have no intention of reading long works on a specific theme. That said, I like them and think they're very effective in providing good information as well as a good read.
Some "Charles River" books, including this one and those listed below provide good information on earlier developments of the Nazi regime, and then on the final moves before the outbreak of war:
1. (1923) The Beer Hall Putsch: The History and Legacy of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party's Failed Coup Attempt in 1923 - 54 pages
2. (1933) The Burning of the Reichstag: The History of the Controversial Fire That Led to the Rise of Nazi Germany - 55 pages
3. (1934) The Night of the Long Knives: The History and Legacy of Adolf Hitler's Notorious Purge of the SA - 46 pages
4. (1938) The Munich Agreement of 1938: The History of the Peace Pact that Failed to Prevent World War II - 69 pages
5. (1938) Kristallnacht: The History and Legacy of Nazi Germany's Most Notorious Pogrom - 48 pages
They are listed in chronological order of the events but might be read otherwise. I have also reviewed these.
The present book seems to be a compilation of material from the five mentioned above. I have read over 50 % of it and indeed it draws a lot from them. I noted the length in pages of each so that if added up they result in 272 pages. This one, at 106 pages, contains roughly 40 % of all the the other five.
So, it is an even shorter version of the other accounts. Should you wish to learn more on each subject, read the five books. If a briefer account is the choice, take this one instead. Already read the five books? Then you really don't need reading this one.
Since I read all five before and only then this one, I was able to assess the merger job, which seemed very good to me. The result is then an overall view on the subjects covered, keeping the features of going straight to important points and quoting well known sources such as William Shirer an Joachim Fest.
Their books are not to be expected as complete, comprehensive works, but lean more toward a good overall short account. Choose one if the subject is new to you or you want a good overview. They appeal to me as good introductions, or if I have no intention of reading long works on a specific theme. That said, I like them and think they're very effective in providing good information as well as a good read.
Some "Charles River" books, including this one and those listed below provide good information on earlier developments of the Nazi regime, and then on the final moves before the outbreak of war:
1. (1923) The Beer Hall Putsch: The History and Legacy of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party's Failed Coup Attempt in 1923 - 54 pages
2. (1933) The Burning of the Reichstag: The History of the Controversial Fire That Led to the Rise of Nazi Germany - 55 pages
3. (1934) The Night of the Long Knives: The History and Legacy of Adolf Hitler's Notorious Purge of the SA - 46 pages
4. (1938) The Munich Agreement of 1938: The History of the Peace Pact that Failed to Prevent World War II - 69 pages
5. (1938) Kristallnacht: The History and Legacy of Nazi Germany's Most Notorious Pogrom - 48 pages
They are listed in chronological order of the events but might be read otherwise. I have also reviewed these.
The present book seems to be a compilation of material from the five mentioned above. I have read over 50 % of it and indeed it draws a lot from them. I noted the length in pages of each so that if added up they result in 272 pages. This one, at 106 pages, contains roughly 40 % of all the the other five.
So, it is an even shorter version of the other accounts. Should you wish to learn more on each subject, read the five books. If a briefer account is the choice, take this one instead. Already read the five books? Then you really don't need reading this one.
Since I read all five before and only then this one, I was able to assess the merger job, which seemed very good to me. The result is then an overall view on the subjects covered, keeping the features of going straight to important points and quoting well known sources such as William Shirer an Joachim Fest.
January 31, 2016
Educational
After reading this I am even more disturbed about our current political choices. Racism, blaming others ( scapegoating), and bullying lead to dictatorship . Also a another point, taking away of guns makes it easier for a dictatorship to be created. Both political parties need to learn from the mistakes and work it to keep us free.
After reading this I am even more disturbed about our current political choices. Racism, blaming others ( scapegoating), and bullying lead to dictatorship . Also a another point, taking away of guns makes it easier for a dictatorship to be created. Both political parties need to learn from the mistakes and work it to keep us free.
March 5, 2017
A concise and balanced explanation of an important, though horrible, part of earth's history.
August 7, 2017
This relatively short history takes a look at the events that led to the Nazi party taking over Germany. If your a history buff you won't find a lot of new information here but they did a good job of putting everything into context. They are pretty direct in describing the Nazi leaders and don't mince words while doing so. There are lessons to be learned here as we look at our current political situation. Consider some of the similarities:
Race based demagoguery
Vilified minority group
Extreme nationalism
A leader who demands personal allegiance
Rule changes to the democratic process
Attacks on the free press
Race based demagoguery
Vilified minority group
Extreme nationalism
A leader who demands personal allegiance
Rule changes to the democratic process
Attacks on the free press
December 28, 2019
Might be considered rather inappropriate reading for Christmas but it was a case of "I've started, so i'll finish"! Seriously though, if you want to know more about this momentous period in history then this is a valuable primer, the history of the events that brought Adolf Hitler to power.
Split into eleven chapters, beginning with the end of World War 1 and concluding with The Night of The Long Knives, June 30th 1934, Hitler's accession to the Chancellorship and ultimately his adopting the mantle of unopposed dictator of the Third Reich.
Split into eleven chapters, beginning with the end of World War 1 and concluding with The Night of The Long Knives, June 30th 1934, Hitler's accession to the Chancellorship and ultimately his adopting the mantle of unopposed dictator of the Third Reich.
July 1, 2018
Quick and informative
I found this small book to be quite informative. I rather enjoy history so this was a nice change from the novels and fiction books I typically read. Very interesting material.
I found this small book to be quite informative. I rather enjoy history so this was a nice change from the novels and fiction books I typically read. Very interesting material.
June 1, 2025
Hitler was really on demon time in this book. It’s interesting how one man’s belief can be instilled in millions. Unfortunately at the hands of Jews. Great book though gave alot of insight to the nazi way of thinking.
March 6, 2017
This was an interesting book. It was very short, and basically hit the highlights. It didn't go into too much detail, but still a good book.
July 4, 2017
Good summary of events and people leading to the rise of Nazism just prior to WWII.
February 20, 2019
Lends to a new understanding
I enjoyed this book because it gives lots of information about the rise of the third Reich that I have not read about in other books.
I enjoyed this book because it gives lots of information about the rise of the third Reich that I have not read about in other books.
January 26, 2020
Un recuento detallado de los eventos que llevaron al ascenso del Partido Nazi. Recomendado!
November 17, 2020
This was a good primer on Hitler's rise to power. May not be detailed for the historian but it is sourced with other books on the subject and serves as a good place to start.
Currently reading
July 19, 2018Koo moo???!
September 2, 2020
Where is my review?
Read
February 25, 2016Well researched, a little dry though
This is not an enticing read so I really couldn't give it five stars. However the company does present a well researched and accurate account of the development of fascism in 1930s Germany. The two main contributing factors:
1. The Treaty of Versailles was more of a punishment than a true treaty to bring about a lasting peace, instead, merely retribution against Germany. It destroyed the German economy and led to desperation among the German people.
2. The Munich Pact led by Neville Chamberlain was pure cowardice. It was an unrealistic, naive attempt to kick the can down the road, and it bore out what every school boy of the era knew: giving in to a bully leads to more bullying behavior.
This is not an enticing read so I really couldn't give it five stars. However the company does present a well researched and accurate account of the development of fascism in 1930s Germany. The two main contributing factors:
1. The Treaty of Versailles was more of a punishment than a true treaty to bring about a lasting peace, instead, merely retribution against Germany. It destroyed the German economy and led to desperation among the German people.
2. The Munich Pact led by Neville Chamberlain was pure cowardice. It was an unrealistic, naive attempt to kick the can down the road, and it bore out what every school boy of the era knew: giving in to a bully leads to more bullying behavior.
August 7, 2016
When it's about Nazis and free on Kindle, I'm always in. The Rise of Nazi Germany is short and informative, and it covers an area of history I was not knowledgable about before. I've read plenty of books about the Holocaust and the Nazi regime, but I did not know much about the rise of the Nazi party. I didn't know about the burning of the Reichstang and the formation of the SS and how they took care of the SA. Charles River Editors keeps it very simple. There is amateurish sourcing, and it really isn't very pleasantly formatted, but the information is solid. Since it's free right now, I recommend it. It took very little of my time and none of my money.
February 11, 2016
Superb read for those who want to understand what caused Germans to vote for Nazi party. I was surprised to read that inflation in post-WWI Germany went so high (France and Belgium to be blamed here to some extent) that, in desperation, Germany gave ultimate power to Hitler and Nazi party.
What Hitler did was extremely cruel and inhumane and he deserved to die a far worse death but had France and other European countries lent a helping hand to rebuild Germany, Nazis would never have attained the kind of power they got and Hitler would have remained just another racist fucker doing daily chores.
What Hitler did was extremely cruel and inhumane and he deserved to die a far worse death but had France and other European countries lent a helping hand to rebuild Germany, Nazis would never have attained the kind of power they got and Hitler would have remained just another racist fucker doing daily chores.
February 11, 2016
An interesting and informative book.
The rise of Nazi Germany can be traced back to the harsh treatment the allies placed on the German people and the country as a whole. After the war ended it took little time for Germany, which was totally destroyed to rise from the ashes and once again become the powerhouse of Europe. It took about 10 years for them to rebuild the country, a tribute to the German people who are the most industrious in Europe.
The rise of Nazi Germany can be traced back to the harsh treatment the allies placed on the German people and the country as a whole. After the war ended it took little time for Germany, which was totally destroyed to rise from the ashes and once again become the powerhouse of Europe. It took about 10 years for them to rebuild the country, a tribute to the German people who are the most industrious in Europe.
July 9, 2016
Decent historical overview written by a collection of people and horribly edited
If you want thorough, contextual and directional history, read one of the many great historical works cited in this book. But if you want a fundamental chronology of Hitler's rise to power, this quick read will do. But it is repetitive to the point of being annoying. One good editor would have made a world of difference.
If you want thorough, contextual and directional history, read one of the many great historical works cited in this book. But if you want a fundamental chronology of Hitler's rise to power, this quick read will do. But it is repetitive to the point of being annoying. One good editor would have made a world of difference.
July 9, 2016
While not complete the facts are on tract. I feel that they did a great job presenting this material in a concise interesting albeit short format. If you like history at all, do yourself a favor and check this out.
February 1, 2016
Decent read
Very brief summary of a crucial time in German and world history. This period could easily take up 10 times more pages. But, this is a decent summation of this critical period.
Very brief summary of a crucial time in German and world history. This period could easily take up 10 times more pages. But, this is a decent summation of this critical period.
July 5, 2018
Brief history of the rise of Hitler
Seems like a bit of a cliffs notes version of the rise of Hitler. Good for a quick overview, but not really containing much not covered in detail elsewhere (though some of the info on what motivated the Night Of The Long Knives was new to me)
Seems like a bit of a cliffs notes version of the rise of Hitler. Good for a quick overview, but not really containing much not covered in detail elsewhere (though some of the info on what motivated the Night Of The Long Knives was new to me)
October 30, 2016
The rise of Nazi Germany
This is a really good ebook to get a very good understanding of how the Nazi party to over their country and tried to take over the. World. This is better than any tv documentary that I have seen.
This is a really good ebook to get a very good understanding of how the Nazi party to over their country and tried to take over the. World. This is better than any tv documentary that I have seen.
March 17, 2016
A very small and light read. The writing is not great, crisp, almost textbook-ish (may be Wikipedia style? not sure). But definitely not boring and gets you hooked.
February 4, 2016
Great conversational overview
Great overview. It helped me understand the big picture of who Hitler was, what he did, and who supported him.
Great overview. It helped me understand the big picture of who Hitler was, what he did, and who supported him.
February 24, 2016
I had hoped that I could see page number...
May 18, 2016
Informative
This was a pretty interesting book that was informative Andreas more like a text book but not in a bad way. So 2 star bring ok in a good way as opposed to bad way.
This was a pretty interesting book that was informative Andreas more like a text book but not in a bad way. So 2 star bring ok in a good way as opposed to bad way.
June 28, 2016
Very eye-opening.
Hard to believe one man could so completely take over a country in just the blink of an eye. Cold
Hard to believe one man could so completely take over a country in just the blink of an eye. Cold
November 2, 2016
Very dry. Informative and detailed, but not as engaging as one would expect.
September 4, 2018
Strangely compiled and oddly read, with an off-putting focus on the forensic and conspiracy-theory aspects of the rise of the Nazis at the expense of providing a complete arc of the relevant history.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews