Berlin Diary (1941)

I've read this book twice now (and am considering a third time through). What fascinates me about this book is the immediacy, the electric current of "this is happening NOW" that runs through it. Yes, it's full of facts and observations of Germany during the rise of the Nazis, but it's also a glimpse into the life of a man creating a new form of communication -- the radio news broadcast, which Shirer is credited with practically inventing along with Edward R. Murrow. The highest recommendation I can give this book is that, both times that I read it, at the end I spend a few seconds worried about who would win WWII. ( )

A must read for people who want to know the inside stories of Berlin during WWII. Absolutely wonderful. Shirer was a reporter in Berlin during this time. ( )

Excellent. Fascinating account of the movement of Germany towards and into war - through the eyes of American radio correspondent. Particularly strong on immediate build up to war - Munich etc - and phoney war. Also interesting on censorship of the press, and lack of French resistance to German invasion. ( )

If you are interested in this period in history, you should read this book. Shirer offers a day-by-day history of life in Germany during the rise of Nazism and beginning of the war. That alone would be enough for a great book, but there is much more. Shirer covers many aspects of the war; he writes eloquently and accurately about the naivety of pre-war British diplomacy, strategy on both sides, and the Nazi clique. He provides an early glimpse at horrors of Nazi genocide. And his personal story is fascinating, as he travels across Europe, worries about his family, and matches wits with his censors to get as much of the story out as he can. Berlin Diary is very well written and hard to put down. Gems of description abound; for example, he describes a visit to a Lisbon casino: "Tonight, Ed [Murrow] and I did the casino. The gaming rooms were full of a weird assortment of human beings, German and British spies, male and female, wealthy refuges who had mysteriously managed to get a lot of money out and were throwing it about freely, other refugees who were broke and were trying to win their passage money with a few desperate gambles with the fickle roulette wheel..." Highly recommended. ( )

Diary of William L. Shirer in Berlin in the years leading up to the U.S. entrance into WW II. Interesting observations. ( )