Complete Idiot's Guide to Nazi Germany

by Robert Smith Thompson

Book Overview

Covers 19th century events that led to Nazi Germany, Prussian militarism, the nationalism that led to a unified Germany in 1871, and the road to World War I. Follows Hitler's formative political years... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0028644751
• ISBN13: 9780028644752
• Release Date: March 2003
• Publisher: Alpha Books
• Length: 355 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.4" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Really good intro to the subject

If you're looking to learn about Nazi Germany this book is a great introduction. Clear and easy to read without being dumbed down. Treats the subject very thoroughly, for example starting with German history in the 1800s and relating how this helped lead to the Nazis. A lot of information is covered but the treatment is lively and not dry. For the non-expert, this is highly recommended.

hail to a great book!

this is an excellent introduction to nazi germany for the novice. there are so many books on the subject that someone who wants to start learning this can be overwhelmed. well, you don't need to be! start here! this book starts off as to how germany became a country and little wars here and there. next, it carries you into world war one. then, you really get into the nazi germany information. the book carries you into world war 2 and to the downfall of the nazis. finally, it closes with the nurenberg trials. these chapters and in manageable chunks. there, you'll get a basic, overall theme of the beginnings of germany and nazi germany. plus, you get maps! unlike the idiots guide to world war 1, which is another excellent overview of that war. that is recommended as well.

Presented what I expected

This is a very complete summary for anyone interested in pursuing a study in Nazi Germany. It covers a lot of ground with a small number of pages. Important dates and events are all summarized as well as major characters in history. The only problem with this book is that the levels of detail regarding really important scenes in history are only touched on briefly. However, this is understandable since the author had to cover numerous events with a small number of pages. The book serves as a solid work that gives you a complete but general idea as to what happened in Nazi Germany. Serious historians or readers are encouraged to pick up books and other references that focus on specific aspects of history mentioned briefly here. You will know after reading this book whether or not you would like to pursue your studies in this field and what specific areas you may want to focus your studies on.

Exactly what I was looking for

This book pulls no punches in explaining the rise of Nazism, exploring German history in a compelling way. This author has no axes to grind. This is must reading for anyone who wants to understand the way Adolf Hitler and National Socialism came to power. You know the old saying -- about those who don't understand history being doomed to repeat it.

Wonderfully written look at history

Dr. Thompson, one of my former Professors at the Uni of SC (GO GAMECOCKS!) has taken an incredibly complex subject and explained it in an entertaining and insightful manner. Exactly like his classes! The question many ponder is answered in these pages, how did an group of people, the German intelligencia, fall for Hitler? By tracking the political history from before the First World War, we can see how these people desperately needed a powerful and charismatic leader, who could restore Germany's pride in themselves. No rumor mongering here, just plain facts!