How the Nazis led Germany from conquest to disaster
My version: Paperback
Genre: Non Fiction, World War II, Nazis
Publisher: Penguin Books
First published: 2008 / 2009
ISBN: 978-0-141-01548-4
Pages: 764 plus – notes, bibliography, index
Bought
From the cover:
In 1939 Hitler mobilised Germany into all-out war. Richard J. Evans’ acclaimed history conjours up a whole society plunged into conflict – from generals and frontline soldiers to Hitler Youth activists and middle-calss housewives – showing how Germany rushed headlong into destroying itself and an entire continent.
I had half expected it to concentrate solely on the army, navy and airforce, soldiers, sailors, etc., and not have so much to do with the Holocaust. But obviously, as this book proves time and time again, they are inseperable. In that, for example he notes that Jews in the western Soviet Union (once they had stopped celebrating the seeming overthrow of Stalin, and found out what the Germans meant to do to them), fled east in panic. However “The speed of the German army’s advance was such that they were often overtaken, and so were then unable to escape the SS Task Forces following hard behind.” Meaning that the advances of Barbarossa in the east, the German Army / SS, and the start of the Holocaust go hand in hand. They cannot be separated.
The Third Reich at War is a monumental work of historical scholarship that delves into the complexities of Nazi Germany during World War II. This final volume of Evans’s acclaimed trilogy on Hitler’s Germany – The Coming Of The Third Reich, The Third Reich In Power*, The Third Reich At War – offers a comprehensive and nuanced examination of the war years, exploring the political, military, social, and cultural dimensions of this dark period in history.
One of the strengths of this book is its ability to seamlessly blend the grand narrative of the war with the experiences of ordinary Germans (like Max Hastings’ All Hell Let Loose in that respect). Evans masterfully weaves together the major battles and strategic decisions of the Nazi leadership with the daily lives of civilians, soldiers, and victims of the regime. This approach provides a rich and textured portrayal of the war, highlighting the diverse ways in which it impacted people from all walks of life.
The book is particularly insightful in its analysis of the Holocaust, placing it within the broader context of the war effort. Evans demonstrates how the genocide was not merely a tangential issue but an integral part of the Nazi vision for a new European order. He also explores the complicity of ordinary Germans in the atrocities, challenging simplistic notions of collective guilt while acknowledging the pervasive nature of antisemitism in German society. Supporting Daníel Goldhagen and taking pot shots at Ordinary Men, underway.
Another key theme of the book is the increasing desperation and irrationality of the Nazi regime as the war progressed. Evans highlights the role of Hitler’s personal decisions in leading Germany to disaster, while also acknowledging the broader factors that contributed to the regime’s downfall. The author’s meticulous research and clear writing style make this complex subject accessible to a wide readership.
The Third Reich at War is not without its critics, however. Some have argued that Evans’s focus on the experiences of ordinary Germans downplays the agency of the Nazi leadership in perpetrating atrocities. Others have criticized his treatment of certain historical figures and events, particularly regarding the role of the Soviet Union in the war.
Despite these criticisms, The Third Reich at War remains an essential work for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. It is a powerful and thought-provoking book that challenges us to confront the dark side of human nature and the dangers of unchecked power.
You can buy The Third Reich At War by Richard J. Evans from Amazon
*I thought I’d maybe reviewed the first two, but obviously not. I know I’ve read them. I remember reading the first – and nearly going blind – on an old iPhone back in the day. So anyway, these links are to the Amazon pages for the paperbacks
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