The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich cover

The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich

by William L. Shirer

Since it's publication five decades ago, [William L. Shirer](/authors/OL28296A/William_L._Shirer)'s monumental study of [Hitler](/authors/OL108070A/Adolf_Hitler)'s empire has been widely acclaimed as the definitive record of the twentieth century's blackest hours. A worldwide bestseller with millions of copies in print, *The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich* offers an unparalleled and thrillingly told examination of how Adolf Hitler nearly succeeded in conquering the world. Here, in a thoughtful new introduction for the fiftieth anniversary of its National Book Award win, [Ron Rosenbaum](/authors/OL39615A/Ron_Rosenbaum), author of the much-admired [*Explaining Hitler*](/works/OL15826153W/Explaining_Hitler), takes a fresh and penetrating look at this vital and enduring classic and the role it continues to play in today's discussions of the history of Nazi Germany.

More by William L. Shirer

Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?