Customer Rating:      Summary: Excellent, well rounded book Comment: I have read many books on the Nazis, but I have to say, this is one of the very best. The author doesn't shy away from the harsh truth, or as in some cases with other books - simply focus on the ghoulish side of things, i.e. the Nazis and the people/s they persecuted. I can recommend this book to people wanting the facts, written in an appealing (if that's the word), and interesting fashion. Deffo a 5 star!
Customer Rating:      Summary: Moving, detailed, down to earth account of the labyrinths of Nazi Germany Comment: As a History sixth form student, I felt reluctant to dive into anything too heavy handed in a Christmas holiday but equally find a book that would present itself suitable for learning the facts and understanding.
I must say, this was a brilliant read: the well-articulated Rees moves the ordinary reader with sentiment as yet unfelt post-4. The amount of research into tracking down Soviet and German soldiers alike bring a depth to wars like Operation Barbarossa that cannot be conveyed in studying statistics or battle plans.
Rees provides a down-to-earth view on some extraordinary incidents in history and appeals both to experts and novices. Economical yet informative in his writing style and content, the fast pace divides the understanding of the period between interviews with people conducted by Rees' team for the television show of the same name and his own understanding. Furthermore a reaction to some characters' words contribute to the sense of realism, horror, anger, grief.
This, of all reasons, achieves more to me than other books of the same genre - the reader knew what he was reading was more than a compendium of facts, but a horrific story that one must never forget.
Customer Rating:      Summary: A must for anyone with interest in WW2 Comment: I cannot agree with a previous reviewer who says the author is firing cheap shots with the benefit of hindsight.
Rees tries to explain the rationale behind people's actions but nevertheless at times is at a loss to understand the dreadful atrocities that were committed.
It is fascinating to see how the Nazi's rose to power and Rees gives a great insight into how easily this could happen in the prevailing circumstances.
The chapters on the Eastern Front are quite chilling and hearing what many of the Russian civilians went through (being attacked by their own people as well as the Germans) makes you realise how lucky we are to live in a peaceful time.
All in all, a fantastic read and although I have always been very interested in WW2, this book enlightened me on new facts considerably.
Customer Rating:      Summary: Fantastic book Comment: I would strongly recommend this book to anyone that is interested in the Subject having watched the documentary that the book accompanies it has alot of information on the role that the Nazis played in the Second World War and it also shows the ideologies of Hitler and his men.It is written in a such a way that it is accessible to anyone, whether you are a historian or just interested in the subject
Customer Rating:      Summary: excellent, well-worth reading Comment: This is an excellent book in every respect. I thoroughly enjoyed it and learnt a great deal and I know others have too. We need more of this sort of thing!
|