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The Third Reich #1
The SS
Book 1 of the TIme-Life series The Third Reich.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 20, 2021
Book #1 of the Time Life Series, "The Third Reich." I read this after reading Book #4 of the series, "Wolf Packs." Since then, I had been impressed by the research, organization, and source material used, along with the outstanding black and white and color photographs used throughout the series. My goal is now to read the entire 21 Volumn series.
This book focuses on the birth and history of the Schutzstaffel or SS. It provides the reader a broad view of how they came about under Himmler's stewardship since the 1920's through the end of the war in 1945. It provides insight into how Germany created so many different divisions of the SS such as the Waffen-SS, and the Liebstandarte Adolf Hitler SS (body guards of Hitler).
It tracks key leaders within the various SS divisions, and also some of the war atrocities performed by the SS that had a negative impact on them during the Nuremburg trials after Germany's defeat. It touches some on the occultic interests of Himmler and devotes a few paragraphs to Wewelsburg Castle, and how Himmler dreamed of having a SS training school there.
This book focuses on the birth and history of the Schutzstaffel or SS. It provides the reader a broad view of how they came about under Himmler's stewardship since the 1920's through the end of the war in 1945. It provides insight into how Germany created so many different divisions of the SS such as the Waffen-SS, and the Liebstandarte Adolf Hitler SS (body guards of Hitler).
It tracks key leaders within the various SS divisions, and also some of the war atrocities performed by the SS that had a negative impact on them during the Nuremburg trials after Germany's defeat. It touches some on the occultic interests of Himmler and devotes a few paragraphs to Wewelsburg Castle, and how Himmler dreamed of having a SS training school there.
October 9, 2012
While Time-Life's The SS is not a pleasure read by any means, it is the most detailed look into the underworld of the Schutzstaffel that I have ever seen. The varied entries, enlightening quotations, and stunning photos (many of which I've not seen before) provide an expansive but disturbing look into Nazi Germany's nefarious paramilitary. Not only are the "what," "when," and "where" of the SS covered in depth, the book focuses on the "how" and the "why." For history scholars, WWII buffs, and professors of 20th century events, The SS is an indispensable reference.
January 25, 2026
The SS by Time-Life Books is a great introduction for people wanting to learn basic information about the infamous Schutzstaffel. I really enjoyed the pictures included throughout the book that related to the content of each page. The pictures provide great visuals and better context for what topic is being covered. For example, SS weddings and the differences between the uniforms.
Two themes in The SS that stood out to me are Nazi neopaganism and the downfall of racial purity in the SS, which Himmler emphasized greatly. I find it incredibly ironic when I see Christians and Slavs trying to larp as Neo-Nazis. In the future, I will recommend this book to people who try to defend Nazis, as the sections about the things I just listed are very eye-opening.
One element of the book that left me feeling sick is the Lebensborn program and the kidnapping of children for Himmler's demented fixation on race. I knew of these two things before reading the book, but I'll never stop asking how people hold so much evil in their souls that even innocent children are not spared at the hands of monsters.
To conclude, I consider myself highly educated as a teenager when it comes to Holocaust history, but The SS introduced me to new information, such as the emphasis on neopaganism and the downfall of the Schutzstaffel's standard of racial purity towards the end of the war. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone, whether they know nothing at all about the SS or know everything.
Two themes in The SS that stood out to me are Nazi neopaganism and the downfall of racial purity in the SS, which Himmler emphasized greatly. I find it incredibly ironic when I see Christians and Slavs trying to larp as Neo-Nazis. In the future, I will recommend this book to people who try to defend Nazis, as the sections about the things I just listed are very eye-opening.
One element of the book that left me feeling sick is the Lebensborn program and the kidnapping of children for Himmler's demented fixation on race. I knew of these two things before reading the book, but I'll never stop asking how people hold so much evil in their souls that even innocent children are not spared at the hands of monsters.
To conclude, I consider myself highly educated as a teenager when it comes to Holocaust history, but The SS introduced me to new information, such as the emphasis on neopaganism and the downfall of the Schutzstaffel's standard of racial purity towards the end of the war. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone, whether they know nothing at all about the SS or know everything.
September 23, 2022
"The SS (Third Reich Series)" by Time-Life
This book has done its role well enough. It discusses the formation and growth of SS and its divisions (e.g. Waffen SS) since the beginning. However, some details are interesting only for those who are specifically interested in the history of WWII and its battles but not for those who want to have a general idea of the history of the third Reich. Generally, the material is very organized and is a good source for learning the history, especially by considering the fact that it contains historical photos. So, the book is very good and if I give it 3 starts, it's because this field of history isn't among my personal interests.
This book has done its role well enough. It discusses the formation and growth of SS and its divisions (e.g. Waffen SS) since the beginning. However, some details are interesting only for those who are specifically interested in the history of WWII and its battles but not for those who want to have a general idea of the history of the third Reich. Generally, the material is very organized and is a good source for learning the history, especially by considering the fact that it contains historical photos. So, the book is very good and if I give it 3 starts, it's because this field of history isn't among my personal interests.
April 17, 2023
The time life series on WWII is fantastic. Very in depth, very accurate, very highly recommend. This is the SS book in the series, deep dive into it. It's very detailed/historical so it may be a bit dry in some spots because that cannot be helped if you've got detail/accuracy, but very good and I think very fascinating subject. Great photos, the time life series has the BEST photo documentation. Recommend.
December 16, 2022
Indeed an interesting story about SS, how it rose, fought and finally lost. All the details of the internal fights and struggle, rise to the power and everything the SS did and managed. Careful considerations about what went well and what wrong. With nice small additional stories and photographs to fill in the details and to show what the life was in SS.
September 23, 2017
I think the more we learn about the SS, the better we will be able to stop this type of group to get a footing in our world. The Time Life people take readers into the atrocities of this group. As always these books are intriguing, well put together and ones to keep.
January 15, 2013
While Time-Life's The SS is not a pleasure read by any means, it is the most detailed look into the underworld of the Schutzstaffel that I have ever seen. The varied entries, enlightening quotations, and stunning photos (many of which I've not seen before) provide an expansive but disturbing look into Nazi Germany's nefarious paramilitary. Not only are the "what," "when," and "where" of the SS covered in depth, the book focuses on the "how" and the "why." For history scholars, WWII buffs, and professors of 20th century events, The SS is an indispensable reference.
January 5, 2017
The SS, in the Third Reich series published by Time-Life in 1988, looks at the early history and formation of this organisation. Written for the US market, it doses contain some questionable photo captions and some equally questionable translations of german phrases. However, it hits the target most of the time with concise, detailed, if complex text combined with some incredible and well reproduced photos. The subject matter is uncompromisingly grim, but fascinating.
December 7, 2013
This is one of a series of Time Life Books chronicling the Third Reich. It provides an excellent narrative of the political skill of Himmler, who developed the SS into a feared fighting force. The photographs are exceptional and greatly add to the story. While not an in-depth history of the SS, it does provide the important facts from its birth to its final defeat.
May 12, 2010
hasil berburu di Bok Bos
October 2, 2011
About half the book is photos, most I'd never seen before.
Has a chapter about the waffen SS, which usually doesn't get much attention.
Has a chapter about the waffen SS, which usually doesn't get much attention.
November 6, 2014
this is a thorough overview of the growth of the Nazi SS as party organization of henchmen to ill trained shock troops to large division of criminal monsters to defeated and decimated losers
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews