This book was on the family bookshelf before I was born, and I can't remember how old I was when I first read it--possibly under twelve. So it was certainly one of my formative introductions to the story of Nazi Germany. Shirer experienced the Third Reich first hand as a reporter posted to Berlin--he'd later publish his diary of those years. And he certainly makes his contempt of the Nazis clear. Some criticize him for that, feeling it shows a lack of objectivity, but Good God who could blame him? Nor have I ever read anyone who disputes his facts or can say this isn't well researched and documented. And many would still name this book as the book to read on the Nazis, their rise and fall. The thing is of toe-crushing heft, but even as a pretty young reader I found it fascinating, and a reread when I was at a much more mature age it still held up. One of the greatest works of history I've ever read.
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