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A Native’s Return: 1945-1988 cover art

A Native’s Return: 1945-1988

By: William L. Shirer
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
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Summary

The prominent journalist, historian, and author - an eyewitness to some of the most pivotal events of the 20th century - tells the story of his final years.

In this last book of a three-volume series, William L. Shirer recounts his return to Berlin after the Third Reich’s defeat. Having fled Berlin and imminent arrest by the Gestapo in 1940, Shirer returned to Europe in October 1945 to verify the facts of the Fuhrer’s death, thus bringing to a close - or so he thought - his involvement with the Third Reich.

He describes his return to his homeland and his ensuing careers as a broadcast journalist and author. He describes the McCarthy years and how the blacklist affected his own network, CBS.

More personal than the first two volumes, this final installment takes an unflinching look at the author’s own struggles after World War II, his shocking firing by CBS News, and his final visit to Paris 60 years after he first lived there as a cub reporter in the 1920s. Here is also his vindication after the publication of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, his most acclaimed work. It also provides intimate details of his often-troubled marriage, and it paints a bittersweet picture of his final decades, friends lost to old age, and a changing world.

This book gives listeners a surprising and moving account of the last years of a true historian - and an important witness to history.

©1990 William L. Shirer (P)2019 Blackstone Audio

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Fitting Finale

This is a fascinating insight into an incredible life. William Shirer’s third volume of memoirs of his life culminate in his return to the USA and his split from CBS and Ed Murrow. His subsequent struggle to make a career as an author which he achieved with the success of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich and the end of his long marriage to Tess, who had accompanied him on much of his journey.

His is honest and forthright about the peaks and troughs of his life and career. His analysis of political events up to Ronald Reagan and his final return to Europe are not to be missed.

Thank you William Shirer it was engrossing.

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Outstanding witness to history

Drawing on decades worth of diaries covering most of the 20th century , with first hand access to most of the main personalities . Sometimes editorialising , he gives these events a a flavour of what most normal people would have perceived . Only a diehard Nazi or Stalinist could disagree , and his commentary on Reagan’s USA is similarly lucid . Brilliant life’s work work

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A wonderful 3rd instalment

As with all of Shirer’s memoirs they are so beautifully crafted. There was especially in this one a great deal on 1950’s America’s decline into ‘the red scare’.

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Grover reads Shirer

Whoever chose Grover Gardner to read Shirer's books was having a very good day in the office that day. Its the perfect combination. This volume of his autobiography covers the 2nd half of his life which was when he wrote his two most famous books - The fall of France in WW2 and his History of the Third Reich. So, in addition to his personal life there is much here of great interest about his writing travails, research & commercial struggle. Also he reveals much more of his personal feelings and views about various contemporary & historical figures. From beginning to end its a very interesting account of this part of his life admixed with so much that was simultaneously happening on the World stage, the post WW2 McCarthy Era being one such major event he experienced at first hand and was much affected by to his cost.

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