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Berlin Diary
- The Journal of a Foreign Correspondent, 1934–1941
- Narrated by: Tom Weiner
- Length: 15 hrs and 59 mins
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Berlin Diary
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Summary
By the acclaimed journalist and New York Times best-selling author of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, this day-by-day eyewitness account of the momentous events leading up to World War II in Europe is the private, personal, utterly revealing journal of a great foreign correspondent.
CBS radio broadcaster William L. Shirer was virtually unknown in 1940 when he decided there might be a book in the diary he had kept in Europe during the 1930s—specifically those sections dealing with the collapse of the European democracies and the rise of Nazi Germany.
Shirer was the only Western correspondent in Vienna on March 11, 1938, when the German troops marched in and took over Austria, and he alone reported the surrender by France to Germany on June 22, 1940, even before the Germans reported it. The whole time, Shirer kept a record of events, many of which could not be publicly reported because of censorship by the Germans. In December 1940, Shirer learned that the Germans were building a case against him for espionage, an offense punishable by death. Fortunately, Shirer escaped and was able to take most of his diary with him.
Berlin Diary first appeared in 1941, and the timing was perfect. The energy, the passion, and the electricity in it were palpable. The book was an instant success, and it became the frame of reference against which thoughtful Americans judged the rush of events in Europe. It exactly matched journalist to event: the right reporter in the right place at the right time. It stood, and still stands, as so few books have ever done, a pure act of journalistic witness.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- C. Hamilton-welsh
- 02-06-17
Such a great book
Since purchasing, I have played this book many times at night or when pottering around the house. It is really interesting and the reader brings you into the story in a subtle and calm manner that really works for me. I found this book after hearing Shirers book on the Third Reich. The writing is superb again. If you like real history described by someone who lived through it don't miss out on this book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Dan Rose
- 06-02-17
An Insight into Reporting from war-time Berlin
This is an excellent book. it gives a great insight of the difficulties of reporting from Germany and in particularly Berlin. in the run up and the early part of the war. The tight-rope of operating under ever-increasing government interference is clearly shown. The challenges of delivering accurate in-partial news and the lengths journalists went to to do it.
it would be interesting to know if there is a British journalists diary from Germany in the same period or a German journalist reporting from London just prior to the out-break of war.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mister Peridot
- 29-09-14
First hand history
Shirer gives a unique and compelling account of his experience of Germany before and during the start of WW2. A justly famous book and very well read.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Saintandy
- 11-06-22
Excellent timeline of WW2
Superb book that gives the account of an American journalist that keeps a diary of his time in Germany up to 1942. fantastic listen as does not state well known facts as he is not aware of NAZI atrocities when published. very addictive listen.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Brian
- 06-09-11
Exhilarating and informative
An amazing journey through a time we rarely hear about. A completely new perspective on the war and the litany of errors made before it even started.
Excellent content and well read.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- stewart
- 06-12-22
Review
Really interesting to hear things from a different vantage point. Well worth listening 2 his story
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- S. Moorcroft
- 03-02-19
Unique and clear sighted view of Nazi Germany
With the exception of In The Garden of the Beasts you will not find a better account of Germany during the first 8 years of its existence.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Stephen
- 10-07-14
Behind-the Scenes Bulletins from an Insightful Man
If you could sum up Berlin Diary in three words, what would they be?
A fascinating account of the acquisition of power by the Nazis, their use of propaganda, the acquiescence of the population-and indeed other governments-the momentum towards war and the brutally efficient execution of the early phases of that war by the German military. If I had to choose just three words to sum up the story, they would be evil, capitulation, hope. My three words to characterize the book would be humane, perceptive, life-affirming.
Which scene did you most enjoy?
I particularly enjoyed the scene in which Shirer was approached by a Nazi censor wielding a transcript of a radio transmission made by one of Shirer's colleagues. After reading it and concluding that the correspondent's ironic tone had perhaps been slightly overdone, Shirer was preparing, nevertheless, to defend the script. "What's the matter with it?" he asked. He was astounded to hear the German praise the script and tell Shirer that it was the sort of broadcast that Shirer might someday make if he could only overcome his anti-Nazi prejudice!
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
When illusions of civilization are shattered, can hope survive?
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jeremy Critchlow
- 21-05-21
Gives a unique perspective on a terrible time.
Shirer isn't taken in by the nazi regime for one second, but the way in which it's character is revealed - step by step and day by day - gives a unique perspective on a tragic period in world history. It's full of those startling insights and observations that can only be found in the testimony of those who lived through and witnessed such an event. I found his encounters with, and observations of, Lord Haw Haw especially fascinating. The narration is excellent.
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- susanne m munro
- 20-04-22
Very good.
A few new snippets of information for me in this book. Interesting. Good narration. I may listen again.
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