Twentieth Century Journey - 2: The Nightmare Years

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As a European correspondent for American newspapers in the 1930s, William L. Shirer witnessed pivotal events leading to World War II. He was present at the Nuremberg rallies, in Munich when Chamberlain abandoned the Czechs, during the Anschluss in Vienna, and in Berlin when Hitler unleashed his Blitzkrieg on Poland. Through articles, broadcasts, and translations of Hitler's speeches, Shirer sought to alert the world to the rising evil in Germany. His memoir, a bestseller upon its 1984 release, offers not only a gripping eyewitness account of this tumultuous decade but also a personal narrative of a young American navigating tense times while striving to support his family as the world edged toward war. Critics have praised Shirer's work, highlighting its ability to let readers relive history more vividly than conventional history books. He is recognized as a superb journalist who felt the impact of Hitler's force, and his insights into the rise of the Nazis are deemed unparalleled. The memoir is celebrated as an outstanding achievement in journalistic history, providing an accurate and engaging account of a dangerous decade. It is described as a highly readable and absorbing narrative, capturing the essence of living through history as it unfolds.