Year Zero: Berlin 1945

by David Mccormack

Year Zero vividly describes the apocalyptic downfall of the Nazi state in Berlin and the subsequent quadripartite occupation of the shattered capital by the Allied powers. This is a powerful story of victims, bystanders, persecutors, opportunists, heroes and villains. Meticulously researched and rich in historical detail, Year Zero draws on searing eyewitness accounts and archive material to provide a gripping narrative of the Wagnerian climax in Hitler's capital and the dramatic political, social, cultural and economic changes which occurred in the city during its first year under occupation.
The author David McCormack works as a battlefield guide and historian. Previous publications include As the Cherry Blossom Falls: Japan at War 1931-45 and The Berlin Battlefield Guide: Part 1 – The Battle of the Oder-Neisse.

141 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 3, 2018

Reviews

[Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Year Zero vividly describes the apocalyptic downfall of the Nazi state in Berlin and the subsequent quadripartite occupation of the shattered capital by the Allied powers. This is a powerful story of victims, bystanders, persecutors, opportunists, heroes and villains. Meticulously researched and rich in historical detail, Year Zero draws on searing eyewitness accounts and archive material to provide a gripping narrative of the Wagnerian climax in Hitler's capital and the dramatic political, social, cultural and economic changes which occurred in the city during its first year under occupation.
The author David McCormack works as a battlefield guide and historian. Previous publications include As the Cherry Blossom Falls: Japan at War 1931-45 and The Berlin Battlefield Guide: Part 1 – The Battle of the Oder-Neisse.

[Paul Janiszewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief yet interesting account of the final fall of the third Reich. Illuminating contrasts of some personal opposing stories of ordinary people set against the usual accounts of the protagonists. Coverage of the bunker points out divergences in the movie "Downfall". Concluding with an ominous observation that parallels today's perilous global situation: "Stalin firmly believed that time was on his side, as the greedy and rapacious Americans and British would enter into conflict with each other as they sought to dominate world trade" Today the war for domination of world trade still persists, but instead are diametrically opposed in geography as much as politics. One still waits as the other crumbles from the inside.

[Piotr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somehow disappointing. Far too short. For the the first part - battle for Berlin - better to reach out for Beevor or Hastings. What could be the most interesting - those months from May till December - practically is almost slightly touched here.
Strange: while reading, several times I had a feeling that someone simply cut out certain passages. Pity, as the remaining rest is really very well written.

[Maryann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of interesting data.