ebooks The Third Reich: A New History by Michael Burleigh in History

Review

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Great insight on the one-party religious dictatorshipBy Juan-Pablo CaceresThis is not a book of detailed accounts of events; characters; and military success and failure of the Third Reich. It is neither a Hitler-centered overview of his dictatorship. This is a book of insightful interpretation on how the carefully crafted Nazi propaganda replaced religion in Germany to become the one-party regime of those convoluted 1920-30.Michael Burleigh's main thesis is that the upcoming of Nazisms can be understood as a spurious religious movement. Nazism carefully design Hitler's image through propaganda; with a whole mythology surrounding him in his messianic role. How this mythology redirected religious fervor is an astonishing account but Burleigh bring it to life with his great insights.The book is not an easy read; so is not for people that want a fast introduction to Nazi Germany. It is; however; a very well documented and written analysis. The main facts are only mentioned and the reader is expected to know them; this is not why this book is called a "New History". His interpretation is what makes the book a worthy (New History) read for anyone that wants more in-depth analysis of those year.I gave the book 4 stars only because Burleigh abuses the negative adjectives (evil; insane; atrocious; etc...) which I think is totally unnecessary giving the context and expecting smart and informed readers (what's the point of ending a sentence or a paragraph of massive murder in the Eastern Front with those words; isn't it obvious enough?).67 of 72 people found the following review helpful. What nazism actually meant to the world.By John Barry KenyonMichael Burleigh has written a most scholarly; and yet richly readable; new history of the Third Reich. It is "new" in the sense that he combines a theoretical approach - nazism as a pseudo religious force in its mass appeal inside and outside Germany - with abundant material on the lives of everyday people. His chapter headings are thematic; rather than strictly chronological; and include sub sections such as "See You In Siberia" and "The Generals Who Dithered". The nazi attempts to dominate and exploit the economic life of Europe and beyond are particularly well discussed. The volume is a useful contrast with Ian Kershaw's recent; excellent biography of Hitler since Burleigh has written a more international account: his particular remit is to analyse the impact of nazism as a huge political force across frontiers. He is impressively adroit in tracing the pro and anti nazi sentiment in eastern Europe and Russia. There is; for instance; some fascinating insight into the Tatars of the Ukraine who were deported by Stalin's police in cattle truck journeys lasting up to three months. The author's final chapter covers the years 1943 to 1948 where it is explained that denazification had a short life from 1945 since the allies and the Russians soon had much greater global problems to address. There are a few slips in the text; for example the main Nuremburg war criminals were not hanged "at dawn" (page 804); and this reviewer felt that nazi and anti nazi media propaganda could tell us more of the international dimension than is revealed in the book. None the less; this is an insightful tome; full of sound judgments and interesting sidelights on virtually every page. Just for the record; Burleigh has no truck with revisionist sentiments about the personalities and policies of the Reich. Here is the story of a criminal gang who brought Europe to its knees.15 of 18 people found the following review helpful. Brilliant analysis flawed by poor editingBy Bill StevensonBurleigh's historical overview of the Third Reich is a remarkable work in many ways. The author's undoubted scholarship and attention to detail are impressive. The book reads like a series of lectures presented by a brilliant historian. The bibliography alone is worth the price of the book. I did not see a totally new interpretation; but Burleigh does put together a more complete picture of the Third Reich than is available in any other single volume. The picture is necessarily complex and the treatment given does the subject justice. The book has a strong bias; but what book on the Third Reich lacks one?Unfortunately; as other reviewers have correctly pointed out; the book does not read well. Geared to impress an academic audience; Burleigh's writing style is arcane. The book cries out for a good edit. My wife; a college professor herself; said she would grade the book "A" for content; and "F" for writing style and said that it is very typical of PhD types who are trying to impress. Spare us Dr. Burleigh; you do not need to work so hard to impress; your scholarship and your research speak loudly enough. Write for the wider audience that needs to read and understand this important book.For the reader willing to sit with a good; comprehensive dictionary in hand; wading through this book is worth the effort because the insight gleaned does prove valuable. For those not so inclined; this latest effort at a solid; single volume history of the Third Reich falls short. We are still waiting for that book to be written.