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After Hitler: The Last Ten Days of World War II in Europe
From the acclaimed author of The King's Mother and Bosworth 1485—a fascinating look at ten days that changed the course of history…
From the Hardcover edition.
With the world at war, ten days can feel like a lifetime.…
On April 30, 1945, Adolf Hitler committed suicide in a bunker in Berlin. But victory over the Nazi regime was not celebrated in western Europe until May 8, and in Russia a day later, on the ninth. Why did a peace agreement take so much time? How did this brutal, protracted conflict coalesce into its unlikely endgame?
After Hitler shines a light on ten fascinating days after that infamous suicide that changed the course of the twentieth century. Combining exhaustive research with masterfully paced storytelling, Michael Jones recounts the Führer’s frantic last stand; the devious maneuverings of his handpicked successor, Karl Dönitz; the grudging respect Joseph Stalin had for Churchill and FDR, as well as his distrust of Harry Truman; the bold negotiating by General Dwight D. Eisenhower that hastened Germany’s surrender but drew the ire of the Kremlin; the journalist who almost scuttled the cease-fire; and the thousands of ordinary British, American, and Russian soldiers caught in the swells of history, from the Red Army’s march on Berlin to the liberation of the Nazis’ remaining concentration camps. Through it all, Jones traces the shifting loyalties between East and West that sowed the seeds of the Cold War and nearly unraveled the Grand Alliance.
In this gripping, eloquent, and even-handed narrative, the spring of 1945 comes alive—a fascinating time when nothing was certain, and every second mattered.…
INCLUDES PHOTOS
From the Hardcover edition.
351 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2014
58 people are currently reading
696 people want to read
About the author
Michael Jones
16 books51 followersLibrarian note:
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There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
February 1, 2017
Adolf Hitler committed suicide in his underground Berlin bunker on April 30, 1945. While the final outcome of the war in Europe was no longer in doubt at that point, how it would play was still anybody's guess. With German diehards holding out in Breslau, fears of a hidden Nazi stronghold, concerns over which army would take over which territory, an uprising in Prague, the question of Hitler's successor and lots of behind the scenes political machinations, the last ten days of the war were filled with tragedy, heartbreak, intrigue, joy and a sense of accomplishment.
Michael Jones has woven together a fascinating tale of these last ten days, showing how the Grand Alliance between Russia, Britain and the United States was at times hanging by the slimmest of threads and how the final peace could have turned out much differently. With personal accounts from American, British, German, Russian, Commonwealth, Czech and Polish participants, this book gives the reader a really good look at how everything came together after nearly falling apart several times.
This is the fifth book by Michael Jones which I've read, and I think it's the best by far.
Michael Jones has woven together a fascinating tale of these last ten days, showing how the Grand Alliance between Russia, Britain and the United States was at times hanging by the slimmest of threads and how the final peace could have turned out much differently. With personal accounts from American, British, German, Russian, Commonwealth, Czech and Polish participants, this book gives the reader a really good look at how everything came together after nearly falling apart several times.
This is the fifth book by Michael Jones which I've read, and I think it's the best by far.
March 15, 2015
After Hitler – It lasted a little longer than people think.
After Hilter is a well written and researched history of the 10 days after the death of Hitler on April 30th 1945 and when the final surrender was made. This is a welcome addition to the cannon of historical research on the end of the war and in doing so reminds people that the war did not end immediately on the death of Hitler. What this book does do is make the case that Hitler’s death made the end of the war more likely even though there would be thousands of deaths before the surrender eventually came.
Michael Jones has given the book a structure that follows a countdown formula that makes things easier to read for the general reader, while at the same time he does take a thematic approach, which makes the complex international politics and the diplomacy more understandable when considering the ongoing war. Jones also shows why the West and East celebrate on different days the Victory in Europe, 8th May in the Western Europe and the 9th May in Eastern Europe and in particular Russia.
We also see the mutual mistrust amongst the Allies especially when the Big 3 had agreed upon the division of Germany at Yalta in February 1945 and then its implementation as they reached Berlin. The suspicion of the Soviet aims through came to the fore especially considering the Soviet’s Armies during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944 while they watched the Germans destroy the Polish leaders who were opposed to the communist Soviets.
This book not only reminds us not only that after Hitler’s death in his will he appointed Admiral Dönitz, head of the navy, as Reichspräsident not Führer an avowed Nazi to the core who would later be sentenced to 10 yrs at Nuremburg. What Jones does is highlight is that the military commanders were not only having to lead their war machines they were also the front of their country’s diplomatic and acting as proconsul, not easy at the best of times even harder at this point in history.
The over arching theme of this book is the rivalries amongst all the allies which did not help the crisis and could have undermined their cooperation and the rivalry that grew from here would lead to the Cold War, as Churchill described the coming down of an Iron Curtain across Europe.
What Jones also does is show the final death throes of Germany, the millions of displaced people, the refugees the Red Army raping their way across Germany, which caused Stalin to step in to prevent the breakdown of order in his ranks. (The book overlooks that the Western Allies were also guilty of as much rape and pillage as their Russian counterparts but that is still part of current research.)
For those of us who enjoy historical research the notes and bibliography are excellent as is the scholarship and writing of Michael Jones. If I were to make a complain there is not enough discussion or exploration of the Soviet side of the war but that is pretty general across the board as most of that scholarship is in Poland, Germany and other countries that suffered at the Soviet Union’s hands, and as yet to be translated for the Western reader.
This is an exciting and interesting addition to the final days of the war in which many will learn some very interesting facts and broaden one’s knowledge further. An excellent read for all those interested on how the war finally ended and what was the basis for the Cold War.
After Hilter is a well written and researched history of the 10 days after the death of Hitler on April 30th 1945 and when the final surrender was made. This is a welcome addition to the cannon of historical research on the end of the war and in doing so reminds people that the war did not end immediately on the death of Hitler. What this book does do is make the case that Hitler’s death made the end of the war more likely even though there would be thousands of deaths before the surrender eventually came.
Michael Jones has given the book a structure that follows a countdown formula that makes things easier to read for the general reader, while at the same time he does take a thematic approach, which makes the complex international politics and the diplomacy more understandable when considering the ongoing war. Jones also shows why the West and East celebrate on different days the Victory in Europe, 8th May in the Western Europe and the 9th May in Eastern Europe and in particular Russia.
We also see the mutual mistrust amongst the Allies especially when the Big 3 had agreed upon the division of Germany at Yalta in February 1945 and then its implementation as they reached Berlin. The suspicion of the Soviet aims through came to the fore especially considering the Soviet’s Armies during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944 while they watched the Germans destroy the Polish leaders who were opposed to the communist Soviets.
This book not only reminds us not only that after Hitler’s death in his will he appointed Admiral Dönitz, head of the navy, as Reichspräsident not Führer an avowed Nazi to the core who would later be sentenced to 10 yrs at Nuremburg. What Jones does is highlight is that the military commanders were not only having to lead their war machines they were also the front of their country’s diplomatic and acting as proconsul, not easy at the best of times even harder at this point in history.
The over arching theme of this book is the rivalries amongst all the allies which did not help the crisis and could have undermined their cooperation and the rivalry that grew from here would lead to the Cold War, as Churchill described the coming down of an Iron Curtain across Europe.
What Jones also does is show the final death throes of Germany, the millions of displaced people, the refugees the Red Army raping their way across Germany, which caused Stalin to step in to prevent the breakdown of order in his ranks. (The book overlooks that the Western Allies were also guilty of as much rape and pillage as their Russian counterparts but that is still part of current research.)
For those of us who enjoy historical research the notes and bibliography are excellent as is the scholarship and writing of Michael Jones. If I were to make a complain there is not enough discussion or exploration of the Soviet side of the war but that is pretty general across the board as most of that scholarship is in Poland, Germany and other countries that suffered at the Soviet Union’s hands, and as yet to be translated for the Western reader.
This is an exciting and interesting addition to the final days of the war in which many will learn some very interesting facts and broaden one’s knowledge further. An excellent read for all those interested on how the war finally ended and what was the basis for the Cold War.
March 22, 2025
A really fine history of the last ten days of WWII in the west - the narrow focus and timeline provides a very vivid examination of the time and helps to understand everything that was to come post WWII.
Read
December 31, 2014Read between Christmas and New Year, a fine account of another, grimmer temporal perineum. You wouldn't think "the most harrowing day...ever experienced" at Allied HQ would come after the ceasefire was signed, but such were the political tensions, Stalin's self-regard and the delaying tactics of the Nazi rump that thus it was. There's such detail here, but also a brilliant grasp of the big picture; alongside usual suspects like Ike and Monty, lesser known figures like the doomed perpetual turncoat Vlasov get their moment in the sun. I'm off to Berlin and Prague soon, and after this I shall be seeing them through a new lens.
May 19, 2016
A good book, but not a brilliant book. I'd definitely recommend it for the many interesting facts I've since learned, and in a way, the pace it set over the nine days, from 30th April to 8th May 1945, was well thought out. I don't have any criticisms whatsoever, with the exception that my attention wandered in places. Well worth the read though.
May 22, 2022
Remarkable. This gave me a true appreciation of the final 10 days of the war involved, and why fighting continued well beyond the declaration of the unconditional surrender. And a better understanding of the hurt feelings when the Allied forces had two, not one, V-E Day on their hands. Great read.
August 1, 2025
This book covers the story of the last ten days of the Second World War, from the death of Hitler on 30 April to the celebration of VE-Day in Moscow on 9 May.
The author, for the most part, manages to paint a lively portrait of the events of that closing chapter. He succeeds in bridging the gap concerning the motivations, incentives, and chaos that shaped the behemoth effort of the Allies as they neared the finish line, and the Germans as they reeled from the collapse of their army, shifting from a Hitler-led crumbling Reich to an administration governed by the man he assigned in his will, Karl Dönitz.
As it concerns the battles and military engagements throughout the different fronts, they are captured with a measure of brevity that doesn't get caught up with technicalities (don't expect a detailed laydown of motorized divisions and such), but one that's boiled down to the essentials while maintaining the integrity of the events relative to their importance .
All of this unfolds against the backdrop of the internal dynamics of the Grand Alliance, where tensions and strategic interests among the Western Allies and between them and the Soviets influenced not only military decisions but also the political framework shaping Germany's surrender. The book captures how diplomacy, mistrust, and competing visions for postwar Europe colored the final days of the conflict.
On the British side, a strategy of restraining communist ambition was being put in place. Churchill’s policy was based on a lack of trust in his Russian allies. The post-Hitlerite Dönitz government, for their part, had an approach with the aim of postponing a full and unconditional surrender to all parties for as long as possible, in an attempt to buy time for German soldiers and civilians fleeing the Red Army to reach British and American lines-a strategy based on their loathing of Bolshevism. They attempted to end the war through piecemeal surrenders to the Western Allies, and in the process, sowed mistrust in the Grand Alliance in the hope of turning West against East, or as the author put it, "Surrender was the policy in the West; in the East, the war was to be continued for as long as possible."
Though Eisenhower, on the American side, served as a much-needed balance, it was the fairness and straight dealing of General Dwight Eisenhower which, more than anything else, had kept the Grand Alliance intact.
Now to the problem I had: the treatment of the subject matter was satisfying, shifting from the point of view of chiefs of staff to the civilians caught in the brutal situation on the ground, to the normal soldier. All was well until the topic of the German signing of surrender. Due to many reasons relating to German dishonesty in trying to play for time and delay as much as possible a surrender to the Soviets, and the respect the Soviet side placed on the symbolism surrounding the signing and how it should proceed (not to mention their constant paranoia of both the Germans and what seems to Stalin the unclear at best and unreliable at worst Western–German relation), there were multiple signings. The author’s treatment of these, constantly shifting across chronological order, left you at times wondering what was happening when. The last couple of chapters toward the end also dragged on, and by the close of it, I lost interest and investment, though I finished reading nonetheless.
All in all, it was a useful addition to my WW2 library (limited as it stands now but with willingness to expand) and offers a nice starting point for familiarizing oneself with the latter chapters of the war.
rating: 3/5
The author, for the most part, manages to paint a lively portrait of the events of that closing chapter. He succeeds in bridging the gap concerning the motivations, incentives, and chaos that shaped the behemoth effort of the Allies as they neared the finish line, and the Germans as they reeled from the collapse of their army, shifting from a Hitler-led crumbling Reich to an administration governed by the man he assigned in his will, Karl Dönitz.
As it concerns the battles and military engagements throughout the different fronts, they are captured with a measure of brevity that doesn't get caught up with technicalities (don't expect a detailed laydown of motorized divisions and such), but one that's boiled down to the essentials while maintaining the integrity of the events relative to their importance .
All of this unfolds against the backdrop of the internal dynamics of the Grand Alliance, where tensions and strategic interests among the Western Allies and between them and the Soviets influenced not only military decisions but also the political framework shaping Germany's surrender. The book captures how diplomacy, mistrust, and competing visions for postwar Europe colored the final days of the conflict.
On the British side, a strategy of restraining communist ambition was being put in place. Churchill’s policy was based on a lack of trust in his Russian allies. The post-Hitlerite Dönitz government, for their part, had an approach with the aim of postponing a full and unconditional surrender to all parties for as long as possible, in an attempt to buy time for German soldiers and civilians fleeing the Red Army to reach British and American lines-a strategy based on their loathing of Bolshevism. They attempted to end the war through piecemeal surrenders to the Western Allies, and in the process, sowed mistrust in the Grand Alliance in the hope of turning West against East, or as the author put it, "Surrender was the policy in the West; in the East, the war was to be continued for as long as possible."
Though Eisenhower, on the American side, served as a much-needed balance, it was the fairness and straight dealing of General Dwight Eisenhower which, more than anything else, had kept the Grand Alliance intact.
Now to the problem I had: the treatment of the subject matter was satisfying, shifting from the point of view of chiefs of staff to the civilians caught in the brutal situation on the ground, to the normal soldier. All was well until the topic of the German signing of surrender. Due to many reasons relating to German dishonesty in trying to play for time and delay as much as possible a surrender to the Soviets, and the respect the Soviet side placed on the symbolism surrounding the signing and how it should proceed (not to mention their constant paranoia of both the Germans and what seems to Stalin the unclear at best and unreliable at worst Western–German relation), there were multiple signings. The author’s treatment of these, constantly shifting across chronological order, left you at times wondering what was happening when. The last couple of chapters toward the end also dragged on, and by the close of it, I lost interest and investment, though I finished reading nonetheless.
All in all, it was a useful addition to my WW2 library (limited as it stands now but with willingness to expand) and offers a nice starting point for familiarizing oneself with the latter chapters of the war.
rating: 3/5
June 20, 2015
History accounting often blends the end of the European Theater of WWII as roughly: Hitler dies, the Russians take Berlin, the Brits and Americans move in from the West and after a few days, the Germans surrender.
What this book does is to uncover the truly nip-and-tuck events of those final 10 days or so. Armies jockeyed to get territory, politicians east and west worry about the future of Europe and distrust the intentions of the other side. The German "government" tries to buy time to allow the race of their armies and citizens to flees west to avoid capture by the Soviets. There is back room dealing and back door negotiations, accusations point at foe and friends alike. Even up to the last day, the whole process is on the verge of collapse. Is the war over? On what day? Will any one one either side honor it? What do we do with the millions of displaced persons in a shattered Europe?
A great book to fill in the gaps for many of us. A great reminder of the sacrifice made by so many tosecure freedom for so many more.
What this book does is to uncover the truly nip-and-tuck events of those final 10 days or so. Armies jockeyed to get territory, politicians east and west worry about the future of Europe and distrust the intentions of the other side. The German "government" tries to buy time to allow the race of their armies and citizens to flees west to avoid capture by the Soviets. There is back room dealing and back door negotiations, accusations point at foe and friends alike. Even up to the last day, the whole process is on the verge of collapse. Is the war over? On what day? Will any one one either side honor it? What do we do with the millions of displaced persons in a shattered Europe?
A great book to fill in the gaps for many of us. A great reminder of the sacrifice made by so many tosecure freedom for so many more.
August 13, 2023
Very interesting subject, some solid research, but so poorly written. And ultimately unsatisfying.
I was fascinated by the idea of seeing a tight focus on the last 10 days of World War II--I'm not sure if the many books on the war and the third reich glossed over this or if I just don't remember them well because they were at the end of very long books. Michael Jones has done some good research here, with a lot of detailed quotes from participants on all sides. And the details of Admiral Doenitz's short lived Flensburg government, the surrender negotiations by Montgomery and Eisenhower and later the Russians, and the story of the Prague uprising all felt new to me. All this was marred by such poor writing and editing. There are misspellings and boring, repetitive prose; often an event is described in detail at the beginning of the chapter and then repeated in only slightly more detail later in the same chapter. Only recommended for people really thoroughly interested in the subject.
I was fascinated by the idea of seeing a tight focus on the last 10 days of World War II--I'm not sure if the many books on the war and the third reich glossed over this or if I just don't remember them well because they were at the end of very long books. Michael Jones has done some good research here, with a lot of detailed quotes from participants on all sides. And the details of Admiral Doenitz's short lived Flensburg government, the surrender negotiations by Montgomery and Eisenhower and later the Russians, and the story of the Prague uprising all felt new to me. All this was marred by such poor writing and editing. There are misspellings and boring, repetitive prose; often an event is described in detail at the beginning of the chapter and then repeated in only slightly more detail later in the same chapter. Only recommended for people really thoroughly interested in the subject.
August 29, 2016
Well-written, informative and accessible account of the ten days or so following Hitler's suicide to the end of the war in Europe. Worth a read if you have an interest in the second world war or twentieth century history. Shows the Russians and Red Army in a more positive light than is more normally attributed to them and helps to explain how the postwar map of /europe looked the way it did.
March 19, 2016
An interesting focus on the ten or so day period from Hitler's suicide to the end of hostilities.
August 29, 2016
This book started out OK and then I lost interest and stopped reading it.
March 20, 2020
A short history of the last ten days of the war in a well-documented and easy to read compelling book.
Hitler did not see any future for the German people, and he was happy for the killings to continue after his death.
As he did not trust Himmler and Göring any longer, and Goebbels was committed to die in the bunker with him, Hitler named Admiral Dönitz as his successor, and thus his will and the war continued for another ten bloody days.
Donitz, a Nazi fanatic himself, tried to continue the fight against the Russians for as long as possible in order to surrender only to the Americans and the British. As the allies were in agreement to accept only a total and unconditional surrender, his delaying tactics only produced more deaths.
It is understandable they wanted to get some more time to move to the west as many as possible troops to surrender to the allies instead to the Russians (who were treated with bestiality by the Germans during the first part of the war) but it is not acceptable they kept fighting in places where there was no hope in reaching a stalemate, like Breslau or Lithuania, and more horribly, the death marches kept going on, and the exterminations camps functioned until the allies reached the wretched prisoners.
Some SS troops continued to commit atrocities until they surrendered and many of the German troops were so indoctrinated that they willingly fought even when they knew they will die without achieving anything, some even after the armistices were signed. Civilians and troops who wanted to surrender were pressed in to battle or summary executed by local commanders until the last day of the war.
Eisenhower, The Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe was a remarkable leader and diplomat. He did not let personal or national ambition affect the achievement of the main objective - the defeating of the Nazis with the least casualties possible and in a as friendly as possible alliance with the Russians until the war was finished.
He let the Russians to encircle Berlin and conquer it, thus saving allies’ lives, stopped Patton liberating Prague which could have resulted in the breaking of the alliance with Stalin, and ensured the final surrender will be signed twice in order to alleviate the Russians fears that the west will make a separate peace with the Germans.
At the last stage of the war, Churchill, knowing the Russians will try to impose communism on all the conquered territories, asked Montgomery to rush up to Lübeck in order to seal the border and keep Denmark outside the reach of the Red Army and even asked his army commanders if the “operation unthinkable” ( the using of the German army to push the Russians back after the war) was possible. He was told it was not, so he did not do anything about it.
The Russians had a lot to pay back to the Germans and Stalin pressed for a quick final push, whatever the losses so they conquered Berlin, Prague, Vienna and most of the central and Eastern Europe.
They committed some rapes, killings and pillages but nothing compares with the scale of the atrocities the Germans did. Their high command tried to stop them in the final days of the war.
A renegade army made of former Russian prisoners of war fought with the Germans for a while, then they changed sides and helped the Czechs to liberate Prague. As the Red army was coming, they tried to escape to the west, but they couldn’t. The soldiers joined this army because they were dying of hunger in the German camps, and they did not have any idea what was happening in the war. Vlasov and their other commanders knew, and I cannot understand what was in their minds, but, as this excellent book shows, the war is messier than we can imagine.
We seem to think we know so much about the second world war. This informative and well written book about the last ten days of unnecessary loss of lives and horrors proves that there is still a lot we can learn about this war.
Hitler did not see any future for the German people, and he was happy for the killings to continue after his death.
As he did not trust Himmler and Göring any longer, and Goebbels was committed to die in the bunker with him, Hitler named Admiral Dönitz as his successor, and thus his will and the war continued for another ten bloody days.
Donitz, a Nazi fanatic himself, tried to continue the fight against the Russians for as long as possible in order to surrender only to the Americans and the British. As the allies were in agreement to accept only a total and unconditional surrender, his delaying tactics only produced more deaths.
It is understandable they wanted to get some more time to move to the west as many as possible troops to surrender to the allies instead to the Russians (who were treated with bestiality by the Germans during the first part of the war) but it is not acceptable they kept fighting in places where there was no hope in reaching a stalemate, like Breslau or Lithuania, and more horribly, the death marches kept going on, and the exterminations camps functioned until the allies reached the wretched prisoners.
Some SS troops continued to commit atrocities until they surrendered and many of the German troops were so indoctrinated that they willingly fought even when they knew they will die without achieving anything, some even after the armistices were signed. Civilians and troops who wanted to surrender were pressed in to battle or summary executed by local commanders until the last day of the war.
Eisenhower, The Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe was a remarkable leader and diplomat. He did not let personal or national ambition affect the achievement of the main objective - the defeating of the Nazis with the least casualties possible and in a as friendly as possible alliance with the Russians until the war was finished.
He let the Russians to encircle Berlin and conquer it, thus saving allies’ lives, stopped Patton liberating Prague which could have resulted in the breaking of the alliance with Stalin, and ensured the final surrender will be signed twice in order to alleviate the Russians fears that the west will make a separate peace with the Germans.
At the last stage of the war, Churchill, knowing the Russians will try to impose communism on all the conquered territories, asked Montgomery to rush up to Lübeck in order to seal the border and keep Denmark outside the reach of the Red Army and even asked his army commanders if the “operation unthinkable” ( the using of the German army to push the Russians back after the war) was possible. He was told it was not, so he did not do anything about it.
The Russians had a lot to pay back to the Germans and Stalin pressed for a quick final push, whatever the losses so they conquered Berlin, Prague, Vienna and most of the central and Eastern Europe.
They committed some rapes, killings and pillages but nothing compares with the scale of the atrocities the Germans did. Their high command tried to stop them in the final days of the war.
A renegade army made of former Russian prisoners of war fought with the Germans for a while, then they changed sides and helped the Czechs to liberate Prague. As the Red army was coming, they tried to escape to the west, but they couldn’t. The soldiers joined this army because they were dying of hunger in the German camps, and they did not have any idea what was happening in the war. Vlasov and their other commanders knew, and I cannot understand what was in their minds, but, as this excellent book shows, the war is messier than we can imagine.
We seem to think we know so much about the second world war. This informative and well written book about the last ten days of unnecessary loss of lives and horrors proves that there is still a lot we can learn about this war.
October 3, 2021
“After Hitler” is a highly readable account of the last 10 days of World War II. Our collective memory of the denouement of the war in Europe often seems to revolve around D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge, and the fall of Berlin. Books about the end of the war describe the bizarre world of Hitler’s bunker, the suicides of Hitler, Eva Braun and Josef Goebbels and the Soviet capture of Berlin. But Jones uses these events as his starting point and then carefully describes the complex events of the war’s last days.
Many have heard of the Warsaw Uprising, but fewer know of the uprising in Prague that occurred after Patton’s Third Army entered Czechoslovakia in early May: Jones recounts the desperate pleas of the leaders of the uprising, the ruthless reprisals by SS troops, the vital intervention of the Russian Liberation Army (which had previously joined the Wehrmacht as an anti-Bolshevik force) in support of the rebels, and the frustration that American soldiers felt at being ordered not to go to Prague’s rescue.
The rest of the complex, messy ending of the Second World War is addressed in a way that reads like a novel, with lots of intrigues that are unexpected because the events have been forgotten or were swept under the rug in the name of Allied unity. The Donitz government in Flensburg, which claimed to govern Germany until it was dissolved by the Allies on May 23, stalls for time to allow German soldiers to surrender to the British and Americans instead of the understandably vengeful Soviets. Discord emerges between the Allies as Stalin fears the British and Americans are negotiating a separate peace with the Germans that will allow them to turn on the Russians. Eisenhower emerges as a skilled diplomat who saves the Grand Alliance with an arrangement that led to two separate V-E days—May 8 for the Americans and British, May 9 for the Soviets.
In the midst of all this, some surprising facts emerge. The war didn’t really end until May 20, when Canadian troops occupied the Dutch island of Texel, putting an end to fighting between the Wehrmacht and rebellious former members of a Russian Liberation Army unit. The phrase “iron curtain” didn’t originate with Churchill’s speech in Fulton, Missouri in 1946—it was coined by Josef Goebbels in February 1945 and used by the Nazi’s to describe the effect of the Soviet advance into Germany. Churchill, as Jones puts it, “was seduced by the power of the imagery, but perhaps should have thought more about its antecedents.” And, in August 1945, General Dwight D Eisenhower received the Order of Victory, the Soviet Union’s highest military honor, and was invited to stand with Stalin on the rostrum of Lenin’s Mausoleum to watch a parade in Red Square.
All in all, a well written and engaging history of a period about which more should be known.
Many have heard of the Warsaw Uprising, but fewer know of the uprising in Prague that occurred after Patton’s Third Army entered Czechoslovakia in early May: Jones recounts the desperate pleas of the leaders of the uprising, the ruthless reprisals by SS troops, the vital intervention of the Russian Liberation Army (which had previously joined the Wehrmacht as an anti-Bolshevik force) in support of the rebels, and the frustration that American soldiers felt at being ordered not to go to Prague’s rescue.
The rest of the complex, messy ending of the Second World War is addressed in a way that reads like a novel, with lots of intrigues that are unexpected because the events have been forgotten or were swept under the rug in the name of Allied unity. The Donitz government in Flensburg, which claimed to govern Germany until it was dissolved by the Allies on May 23, stalls for time to allow German soldiers to surrender to the British and Americans instead of the understandably vengeful Soviets. Discord emerges between the Allies as Stalin fears the British and Americans are negotiating a separate peace with the Germans that will allow them to turn on the Russians. Eisenhower emerges as a skilled diplomat who saves the Grand Alliance with an arrangement that led to two separate V-E days—May 8 for the Americans and British, May 9 for the Soviets.
In the midst of all this, some surprising facts emerge. The war didn’t really end until May 20, when Canadian troops occupied the Dutch island of Texel, putting an end to fighting between the Wehrmacht and rebellious former members of a Russian Liberation Army unit. The phrase “iron curtain” didn’t originate with Churchill’s speech in Fulton, Missouri in 1946—it was coined by Josef Goebbels in February 1945 and used by the Nazi’s to describe the effect of the Soviet advance into Germany. Churchill, as Jones puts it, “was seduced by the power of the imagery, but perhaps should have thought more about its antecedents.” And, in August 1945, General Dwight D Eisenhower received the Order of Victory, the Soviet Union’s highest military honor, and was invited to stand with Stalin on the rostrum of Lenin’s Mausoleum to watch a parade in Red Square.
All in all, a well written and engaging history of a period about which more should be known.
September 24, 2024
Michael Jones's *After Hitler: The Last Days of World War Two in Europe* offers a riveting exploration of the chaotic final days of the Third Reich, focusing specifically on the ten-day period from Hitler's suicide on April 30, 1945, to Germany's unconditional surrender on May 8. This meticulously researched narrative not only chronicles the events surrounding Hitler's last stand but also delves into the complex political maneuverings that shaped the post-war landscape.
Jones adopts a day-by-day approach, effectively weaving together personal accounts from a diverse array of participants, including soldiers from the Allied forces and German troops, as well as civilians caught in the turmoil. This structure allows readers to grasp the immediacy and tension of the moment, making it feel as though they are witnessing history unfold in real-time. The author’s ability to blend detailed historical analysis with compelling storytelling is one of the book's standout features.
The book goes beyond mere chronology; it contextualizes these final days within the broader scope of World War II and its aftermath. Jones examines critical themes such as the fragility of alliances, particularly among the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union. He highlights how these relationships were tested during this period, foreshadowing the Cold War tensions that would soon follow. The author also sheds light on key figures like Karl Dönitz, who succeeded Hitler, and General Dwight D. Eisenhower, whose negotiations played a pivotal role in hastening Germany's surrender.
Critics have praised *After Hitler* for its balanced portrayal of events and its thoroughness. The book is noted for its engaging prose and vivid descriptions that bring historical figures and moments to life. Reviewers have commented on how Jones captures not only the grand strategies at play but also the human experiences of those involved—soldiers facing moral dilemmas and civilians enduring unimaginable hardships.
Readers have found this work to be one of Jones's best contributions to historical literature, highlighting its accessibility for both scholars and general readers interested in World War II history. The inclusion of photographs further enriches the narrative, providing visual context to the harrowing events described.
In conclusion, *After Hitler: The Last Days of World War Two in Europe* is a compelling read that expertly navigates a pivotal moment in history. Michael Jones's ability to intertwine personal narratives with broader historical themes makes this book an essential addition to any history enthusiast’s library. It serves not only as a recounting of events but also as a reminder of the complexities involved in ending one of history's most devastating conflicts.
Jones adopts a day-by-day approach, effectively weaving together personal accounts from a diverse array of participants, including soldiers from the Allied forces and German troops, as well as civilians caught in the turmoil. This structure allows readers to grasp the immediacy and tension of the moment, making it feel as though they are witnessing history unfold in real-time. The author’s ability to blend detailed historical analysis with compelling storytelling is one of the book's standout features.
The book goes beyond mere chronology; it contextualizes these final days within the broader scope of World War II and its aftermath. Jones examines critical themes such as the fragility of alliances, particularly among the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union. He highlights how these relationships were tested during this period, foreshadowing the Cold War tensions that would soon follow. The author also sheds light on key figures like Karl Dönitz, who succeeded Hitler, and General Dwight D. Eisenhower, whose negotiations played a pivotal role in hastening Germany's surrender.
Critics have praised *After Hitler* for its balanced portrayal of events and its thoroughness. The book is noted for its engaging prose and vivid descriptions that bring historical figures and moments to life. Reviewers have commented on how Jones captures not only the grand strategies at play but also the human experiences of those involved—soldiers facing moral dilemmas and civilians enduring unimaginable hardships.
Readers have found this work to be one of Jones's best contributions to historical literature, highlighting its accessibility for both scholars and general readers interested in World War II history. The inclusion of photographs further enriches the narrative, providing visual context to the harrowing events described.
In conclusion, *After Hitler: The Last Days of World War Two in Europe* is a compelling read that expertly navigates a pivotal moment in history. Michael Jones's ability to intertwine personal narratives with broader historical themes makes this book an essential addition to any history enthusiast’s library. It serves not only as a recounting of events but also as a reminder of the complexities involved in ending one of history's most devastating conflicts.
July 29, 2020
⭐Este magnífico livro é do escritor Michael Jones, o mesmo autor de "O Cerco de Leninegrado" e ambos editados pela @editorialbizancio
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⭐ Uma só curiosidade antes de vos contar mais sobre o livro: sou Fã da escrita deste autor.
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⭐ De uma forma geral, este livro aborda a morte (suicídio) de Hitler e, consequentemente os dias que se seguiram à morte, sendo os últimos dias da segunda guerra mundial.
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⭐ Para além disso, o livro também se foca em aspetos políticos e estratégicos das investidas dos aliados durante os últimos dias da guerra. Por outro lado, o autor também quer referir o sentimento da população face ao fim da guerra e, ainda, de muita gente que viu o seu futuro tornar - se incerto devido às consequências da guerra.
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⭐ Este é um livro extraordinário sobre o fim da segunda guerra mundial. Livro este, cheio de conteúdo (o que pode levar os leitores a acharem que é chato). Todavia, é tão importante termos conhecimento destas perspectivas mais históricas e mais camufladas que aconteceram com os nossos antepassados europeus.
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⭐ Podia contar-vos mil e uma coisas ou mais sobre este livro, mas prefiro que descubram, é sempre mais interessante.
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⭐ Um livro "pesado" e cheio de conteúdo que nos leva à reflexão. A escrita do autor é maravilhosa. Sou fã.
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⭐ Obrigada @editorialbizancio porque me proporcionam ótimas leituras dentro dos meus gostos literários. A vossa generosidade e simpatia é incrível 😍
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⭐ Uma só curiosidade antes de vos contar mais sobre o livro: sou Fã da escrita deste autor.
.
⭐ De uma forma geral, este livro aborda a morte (suicídio) de Hitler e, consequentemente os dias que se seguiram à morte, sendo os últimos dias da segunda guerra mundial.
.
⭐ Para além disso, o livro também se foca em aspetos políticos e estratégicos das investidas dos aliados durante os últimos dias da guerra. Por outro lado, o autor também quer referir o sentimento da população face ao fim da guerra e, ainda, de muita gente que viu o seu futuro tornar - se incerto devido às consequências da guerra.
.
⭐ Este é um livro extraordinário sobre o fim da segunda guerra mundial. Livro este, cheio de conteúdo (o que pode levar os leitores a acharem que é chato). Todavia, é tão importante termos conhecimento destas perspectivas mais históricas e mais camufladas que aconteceram com os nossos antepassados europeus.
.
⭐ Podia contar-vos mil e uma coisas ou mais sobre este livro, mas prefiro que descubram, é sempre mais interessante.
.
⭐ Um livro "pesado" e cheio de conteúdo que nos leva à reflexão. A escrita do autor é maravilhosa. Sou fã.
.
⭐ Obrigada @editorialbizancio porque me proporcionam ótimas leituras dentro dos meus gostos literários. A vossa generosidade e simpatia é incrível 😍
May 15, 2020
Between April 30- May 9, 1945 World War II finally came to an end, but between those dates lots history, horrors and the long death rattle of Hitler's Nazi Germany carried on to the world we have today.
The author takes us more to the Russian side of the war; where after the struggles to throw Hitler out of Russia set the stage to what would happen to the German army, then to the German citizens as the Soviets ran up to the gates of Berlin, itself. Horrors for sure but then who could blame the Russians for all that happened.
Meanwhile the western front held back to allow the Soviets to the Berlin. Lots of diplomatic workings here. Then the final push the race of the remnants to German army to get to the British and the American side to get away from the vengeful Soviets. While the Allies find the true horror of the concentration camps hidden from the world.
Not only that but how the Nazi's sown distrust between the Grand Alliance that drove a wedge between the west and the east, which still hangs around today.
All was not a bed of roses and drinks all around, though at worst there was.
Highly recommended if you want learn the real story of how WWII ended
The author takes us more to the Russian side of the war; where after the struggles to throw Hitler out of Russia set the stage to what would happen to the German army, then to the German citizens as the Soviets ran up to the gates of Berlin, itself. Horrors for sure but then who could blame the Russians for all that happened.
Meanwhile the western front held back to allow the Soviets to the Berlin. Lots of diplomatic workings here. Then the final push the race of the remnants to German army to get to the British and the American side to get away from the vengeful Soviets. While the Allies find the true horror of the concentration camps hidden from the world.
Not only that but how the Nazi's sown distrust between the Grand Alliance that drove a wedge between the west and the east, which still hangs around today.
All was not a bed of roses and drinks all around, though at worst there was.
Highly recommended if you want learn the real story of how WWII ended
October 29, 2017
A good book and a quick read. Michael Jones digs into the last 10(ish) days of WWII, following Hitler's suicide and transfer of power to ADM Donitz. The drama that plays out amongst the Allied powers in the waning days of the war is vividly brought to life, as are the herculean efforts of folks like GEN Eisenhower and Harry Hopkins to keep the Eastern and Western powers from fracturing right at the finish line.
He does a really good job of highlighting a number of interesting and historically significant sub-stories, such as the desperate German efforts to hold off the Soviets long enough to attempt to surrender to the Western Allies, Montgomery's race to secure Denmark before the Soviets, and the battles to throw the Nazi yoke off in Czechoslovakia and Poland and how those struggles turned out after the war. This book is worth your time if you're interested in power politics, leadership characteristics, or simply like to dig into some of the lesser-told tales about the Second World War.
He does a really good job of highlighting a number of interesting and historically significant sub-stories, such as the desperate German efforts to hold off the Soviets long enough to attempt to surrender to the Western Allies, Montgomery's race to secure Denmark before the Soviets, and the battles to throw the Nazi yoke off in Czechoslovakia and Poland and how those struggles turned out after the war. This book is worth your time if you're interested in power politics, leadership characteristics, or simply like to dig into some of the lesser-told tales about the Second World War.
January 7, 2019
This was an incredible book because the author tells the story of the end of WWII from many perspectives, from the allies and Nazi's commanders and soldiers, but also from their citizens. The book is always quoting letters from actual people, which supports the ideas that he presents along in the book. I am not sure if everyone would like this book, because it is focus mainly in the political atmosphere of those times, but it is really worth it and gives a great perspective on what really happened.
Also, this books is not as many American books about WWII talking about how only the American won the war, but actually in fact talks about the vital and crucial importance of the Soviet Union and the huge cost of lives the dealt with. I am looking forward to read 'Total war' from the same author soon. Highly recommended it.
Also, this books is not as many American books about WWII talking about how only the American won the war, but actually in fact talks about the vital and crucial importance of the Soviet Union and the huge cost of lives the dealt with. I am looking forward to read 'Total war' from the same author soon. Highly recommended it.
July 11, 2019
Brilliantly told history of the war's final days
The space between the death of Hitler and VE day is one that is often skipped over giving the sense that this time period was an irrelevant one, however this book makes clear that to understand how the world war became the cold war, we must look at these few days in more detail. This is done extremely well and what could be a dry and academic account is vividly brought to life through the use of contemporary accounts and diaries. Highly recommended.
The space between the death of Hitler and VE day is one that is often skipped over giving the sense that this time period was an irrelevant one, however this book makes clear that to understand how the world war became the cold war, we must look at these few days in more detail. This is done extremely well and what could be a dry and academic account is vividly brought to life through the use of contemporary accounts and diaries. Highly recommended.
October 6, 2017
I thought the author did a good job of detailing the complexity of the end of the second world war. Interesting and tragic. Allies sowing the seeds of mistrust with one another. How little American politicians and military leaders (same) factor in the importance of understanding the culture of who they are dealing with. Read this while around the same time as Ken Burns The Vietnam War aired. Throw in the Middle East today and here we are yet again.
September 5, 2020
One of the most interesting stages of the 2nd WW and the author made it so dull I fell asleep several times whilst reading it. The book was written in 2015, but the author insist on using the old spelling of city of Reims. His description of Churchill as a almost one-dimensional statesman is really outdated. The book is poorly edited with spelling mistakes. A few nuggets of new information are really the only reasons it's not a one star book.
February 13, 2018
This period of history is both sad and hopeful. The atrocities of Nazi Germany and then their defeat is chronicled in this book covering April through May of 1945. History comes alive with facts, figures and well written story telling. Another glimpse of what the Greatest Generation lived and died for.
October 1, 2018
My book title actually says "After Hitler: the last Ten Days of World War 2 in Europe".
Extremely detailed account of the 10 days after Hitler's suicide, leading up to the final surrender and end of WW2. I learned a lot of new things, and each chapter was full of historical anecdotes, quotes and tidbits of the terror and mass confusion of life in Europe leading up to the two VE days.
Extremely detailed account of the 10 days after Hitler's suicide, leading up to the final surrender and end of WW2. I learned a lot of new things, and each chapter was full of historical anecdotes, quotes and tidbits of the terror and mass confusion of life in Europe leading up to the two VE days.
October 31, 2019
An interesting account of the last days of the Second World War, with a number of less known events, such as an uprising in Prague and involvement of Vlasov's army in helping the Czechs, a race by British to prevent Russians entering the Danish territory, Russians landing at Bornholm to capture the German soldiers running away from Hel peninsula, etc.
September 6, 2020
A very interesting and under studied period is document quite eloquently by the author. However, I cannot forgive what is throughout a pean to the Red Army, Soviet Union and Stalin. The horrific conduct of the Soviet Union in its treatment of German civilians, Poland and its own citizens are inexcusably brushed aside or ignored.
December 5, 2025
The first half I raced through but the second part seemed to drag and feel repetitive! I am not sure why? However, I learnt so much and glad I read this….. Mother’s so much more to this the Dropping of the ‘iron curtain’, the Cold War etc. the aftermath of the displaced people… so much more to learn about.
August 2, 2017
This is a magnificent book. There are only a handful of history books that are of the 'can't put down' variety, but this is one of them. Even with my in-depth knowledge of WWII, there were a lot of items that I did not know until I read this book.
February 17, 2018
After reading many WW2 books I was looking for a different but interesting view on a different aspect of the war. This was a very good read , it moves along quickly and I learnt of new historical outcomes of the struggle for peace as the war came to a close.
May 23, 2020
It’s not only a book about how the end of WW2 gave way to the Cold war. It also tells the story of how the grand alliance managed to stay together during the last days of the biggest struggle in history.
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