Collapse of the Empire: Hitler and the End of the Third Reich

Author: (German) Joachim Fest / Chen Xiaochun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: The title of this book is "The Collapse of an Empire: Hitler and the End of the Third Reich." It also has a subtitle, "A Sketch of a History." This book focuses on the events that occurred in the last twenty days after Hitler and the Third Reich were besieged by the Soviet army in 1945. It includes the state of the war, the resistance activities of the Nazi Party, Hitler's own psychology and movements, the doomsday life in the bunker beneath the Chancellery, the wedding and ball with Eva, and the process of suicide. Of particular value is that this book offers a heart-stirring and human-centered explanation of the Nazi phenomenon. At the end of the book, the authors mention some of their works and their authors, along with brief reviews of some of the works. Their understanding of the events is often significantly expanded, but the entire picture of reflecting the events and important perspectives related to this background is presented. Even this book does not want to and cannot be a push. It calls itself "A Sketch of a History." In four narrative chapters, it describes the entire chaotic process that unfolded in the bunker and the capital caught in the whirlwind of destruction, under the immense pressure of an inevitable disaster. Interwoven are four short reflective chapters, interpreting the key terms that entered our view due to this event. A nation in an "extreme state": the following pages will describe its situation. Because of this necessity, some of the circumstances that led to its formation and the background that allows for a better understanding are also described.