Get Your Free Audiobook
-
The Collapse of the Third Republic
- An Inquiry into the Fall of France in 1940
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 48 hrs and 10 mins
- Categories: History, Americas
Non-member price: $37.98
People who bought this also bought...
-
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich
- A History of Nazi Germany
- By: William L. Shirer
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 57 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Since its publication in 1960, William L. Shirer’s monumental study of Hitler’s German empire has been widely acclaimed as the definitive record of the 20th century’s blackest hours. The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich offers an unparalleled and thrillingly told examination of how Adolf Hitler nearly succeeded in conquering the world. With millions of copies in print around the globe, it has attained the status of a vital and enduring classic.
-
-
Outstanding!
- By Tigershark on 05-07-2014
-
The Nightmare Years, 1930-1940
- Twentieth Century Journey Series, Book 2
- By: William L. Shirer
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 26 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The famous journalist and author of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich documents his front row seat at the pivotal events leading up to World War II. In the second of a three-volume series, William L. Shirer tells the story of his own eventful life, detailing the most notable moments of his career as a journalist stationed in Germany during the rise of the Third Reich. Shirer was there while Hitler celebrated his new domination of Germany, unleashed the Blitzkrieg on Poland, and began the conflict that would come to be known as World War II.
-
Appeasing Hitler
- Chamberlain, Churchill and the Road to War
- By: Tim Bouverie
- Narrated by: John Sessions
- Length: 22 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Appeasing Hitler is a compelling new narrative history of the disastrous years of indecision, failed diplomacy and parliamentary infighting that enabled Nazi domination of Europe. Beginning with the advent of Hitler in 1933, it sweeps from the early days of the Third Reich to the beaches of Dunkirk. Bouverie takes us into the backrooms of 10 Downing Street and Parliament, where a small group of rebellious MPs, including the indomitable Winston Churchill, were among the few to realise that the only choice was between ‘war now or war later’.
-
-
Brilliant
- By Richard on 20-02-2020
-
Waterloo: The Campaign of 1815
- From Elba to Ligny and Quatre Bras Volume I
- By: John Hussey
- Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
- Length: 34 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The first of two ground-breaking volumes on the Waterloo campaign, this audiobook is based upon a detailed analysis of sources old and new in four languages. It highlights the political stresses between the Allies, the problems of feeding and paying for the Allied forces assembling in Belgium during the undeclared war and how a strategy was thrashed out. It studies the neglected topic of how the Allies beyond the Rhine hampered the plans of Blücher and Wellington, thus allowing Napoleon to snatch the initiative from them.
-
The Rising Sun
- The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire, 1936-1945
- By: John Toland
- Narrated by: Tom Weiner
- Length: 41 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This Pulitzer Prize-winning history of World War II chronicles the dramatic rise and fall of the Japanese empire, from the invasion of Manchuria and China to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Told from the Japanese perspective, The Rising Sun is, in the author’s words, "a factual saga of people caught up in the flood of the most overwhelming war of mankind, told as it happened - muddled, ennobling, disgraceful, frustrating, full of paradox."
-
-
a very detailed account of Americas pacific war
- By Truthfull Jones on 20-06-2015
-
End of a Berlin Diary
- The Berlin Diary Series, Book 2
- By: William L. Shirer
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 15 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A radio broadcaster and journalist for Edward R. Murrow at CBS, William L. Shirer was new to the world of broadcast journalism when he began keeping a diary while on assignment in Europe during the 1930s. Shirer’s Berlin Diary, which is considered the first full record of what was happening in Germany during the rise of the Third Reich, appeared in 1941. Shirer returned to the European front in 1944 to cover the end of the war. End of a Berlin Diary chronicles this year-long study of Germany after Hitler.
-
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich
- A History of Nazi Germany
- By: William L. Shirer
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 57 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Since its publication in 1960, William L. Shirer’s monumental study of Hitler’s German empire has been widely acclaimed as the definitive record of the 20th century’s blackest hours. The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich offers an unparalleled and thrillingly told examination of how Adolf Hitler nearly succeeded in conquering the world. With millions of copies in print around the globe, it has attained the status of a vital and enduring classic.
-
-
Outstanding!
- By Tigershark on 05-07-2014
-
The Nightmare Years, 1930-1940
- Twentieth Century Journey Series, Book 2
- By: William L. Shirer
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 26 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The famous journalist and author of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich documents his front row seat at the pivotal events leading up to World War II. In the second of a three-volume series, William L. Shirer tells the story of his own eventful life, detailing the most notable moments of his career as a journalist stationed in Germany during the rise of the Third Reich. Shirer was there while Hitler celebrated his new domination of Germany, unleashed the Blitzkrieg on Poland, and began the conflict that would come to be known as World War II.
-
Appeasing Hitler
- Chamberlain, Churchill and the Road to War
- By: Tim Bouverie
- Narrated by: John Sessions
- Length: 22 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Appeasing Hitler is a compelling new narrative history of the disastrous years of indecision, failed diplomacy and parliamentary infighting that enabled Nazi domination of Europe. Beginning with the advent of Hitler in 1933, it sweeps from the early days of the Third Reich to the beaches of Dunkirk. Bouverie takes us into the backrooms of 10 Downing Street and Parliament, where a small group of rebellious MPs, including the indomitable Winston Churchill, were among the few to realise that the only choice was between ‘war now or war later’.
-
-
Brilliant
- By Richard on 20-02-2020
-
Waterloo: The Campaign of 1815
- From Elba to Ligny and Quatre Bras Volume I
- By: John Hussey
- Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
- Length: 34 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The first of two ground-breaking volumes on the Waterloo campaign, this audiobook is based upon a detailed analysis of sources old and new in four languages. It highlights the political stresses between the Allies, the problems of feeding and paying for the Allied forces assembling in Belgium during the undeclared war and how a strategy was thrashed out. It studies the neglected topic of how the Allies beyond the Rhine hampered the plans of Blücher and Wellington, thus allowing Napoleon to snatch the initiative from them.
-
The Rising Sun
- The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire, 1936-1945
- By: John Toland
- Narrated by: Tom Weiner
- Length: 41 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This Pulitzer Prize-winning history of World War II chronicles the dramatic rise and fall of the Japanese empire, from the invasion of Manchuria and China to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Told from the Japanese perspective, The Rising Sun is, in the author’s words, "a factual saga of people caught up in the flood of the most overwhelming war of mankind, told as it happened - muddled, ennobling, disgraceful, frustrating, full of paradox."
-
-
a very detailed account of Americas pacific war
- By Truthfull Jones on 20-06-2015
-
End of a Berlin Diary
- The Berlin Diary Series, Book 2
- By: William L. Shirer
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 15 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A radio broadcaster and journalist for Edward R. Murrow at CBS, William L. Shirer was new to the world of broadcast journalism when he began keeping a diary while on assignment in Europe during the 1930s. Shirer’s Berlin Diary, which is considered the first full record of what was happening in Germany during the rise of the Third Reich, appeared in 1941. Shirer returned to the European front in 1944 to cover the end of the war. End of a Berlin Diary chronicles this year-long study of Germany after Hitler.
-
The Cold War
- A World History
- By: Odd Arne Westad
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 25 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As Germany and then Japan surrendered in 1945, there was a tremendous hope that a new and much better world could be created from the moral and physical ruins of the conflict. Instead, the combination of the huge power of the USA and USSR and the near-total collapse of most of their rivals created a unique, grim new environment: the Cold War. For over 40 years the demands of the Cold War shaped the life of almost all of us. There was no part of the world where East and West did not ultimately demand a blind and absolute allegiance.
-
-
Objective and we'll organised
- By Anonymous User on 27-01-2020
-
Imperial Germany and War, 1871-1918
- Modern War Studies
- By: Daniel J. Hughes, Richard L. DiNardo
- Narrated by: Nigel Patterson
- Length: 21 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Written by two of the world's leading authorities on the subject, Imperial Germany and War, 1871-1918 examines the most essential components of the imperial German military system, with an emphasis on such foundational areas as theory, doctrine, institutional structures, training, and the officer corps. In the period between 1871 and 1918, rapid technological development demanded considerable adaptation and change in military doctrine and planning.
-
-
Superior and original analysis of a complex topic
- By Padre on 24-11-2020
-
Fateful Choices
- Ten Decisions That Changed the World, 1940-1941
- By: Ian Kershaw
- Narrated by: Bruce Mann
- Length: 27 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The newest immensely original undertaking from the historian who gave us the defining two-volume portrait of Hitler, Fateful Choices puts Ian Kershaw's analytical and storytelling gifts on dazzling display. From May 1940 to December 1941, the leaders of the world's six major powers made a series of related decisions that determined the final outcome of World War II and shaped the course of human destiny.
-
The Storm of War
- By: Andrew Roberts
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 28 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One of the best selling History titles of 2009. Examining the Second World War on every front, Andrew Roberts asks whether, with a different decision-making process and a different strategy, Hitler’s Axis might even have won. Were those German generals who blamed everything on Hitler after the war correct, or were they merely scapegoating their former Führer once he was safely beyond defending himself?
-
-
A wonderful book
- By Brenton on 12-03-2020
-
Churchill
- Walking with Destiny
- By: Andrew Roberts
- Narrated by: Stephen Thorne
- Length: 50 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
There have been over a thousand previous biographies of Churchill. Andrew Roberts now draws on over 40 new sources, including the private diaries of King George VI, used in no previous Churchill biography, to depict him more intimately and persuasively than any of its predecessors.
-
-
good history
- By roger on 23-11-2018
-
The Nuremberg Trial
- By: John Tusa, Ann Tusa
- Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
- Length: 25 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Here is a gripping account of the major postwar trial of the Nazi hierarchy in World War II. The Nuremberg Trial brilliantly recreates the trial proceedings and offers a reasoned, often profound examination of the processes that created international law. From the whimpering of Kaltenbrunner and Ribbentrop on the stand to the icy coolness of Goering, each participant is vividly drawn.
-
-
Thoughtful, Important and Poignant
- By Kieran Hart on 01-07-2019
-
Panzer General
- Heinz Guderian and the Blitzkrieg Victories of WWII
- By: Kenneth Macksey
- Narrated by: Jonathan Cowley
- Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Kenneth Macksey's highly regarded biography of Generaloberst Heinz Guderian gives clear insight into the mind and motives of the father of modern tank warfare. Panzer General shows Guderian as a man of ideas equipped with the ability to turn inspiration into reality. A master of strategy and tactics, he was the officer most responsible for creating blitzkrieg in World War II.
-
The Korean War
- By: Max Hastings
- Narrated by: Cameron Stewart
- Length: 19 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On 25 June, 1950, the invasion of South Korea by the Communist North launched one of the bloodiest conflicts of the last century. The seemingly limitless power of the Chinese-backed North was thrown against the ferocious firepower of the UN-backed South in a war that can be seen today as the stark prelude to Vietnam.
-
-
Impressive detail and sensitivity
- By John Travers on 05-08-2016
-
Normandy ‘44
- D-Day and the Battle for France
- By: James Holland
- Narrated by: John Sackville
- Length: 24 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Renowned World War Two historian James Holland presents an entirely new perspective on one of the most important moments in recent history. Unflinchingly examining the brutality and violence that characterised the campaign, it's time to draw some radically different conclusions. D-Day and the 76 days of bitter fighting in Normandy that followed have come to be seen as a defining episode in the Second World War. Its story has been endlessly retold, and yet it remains a narrative burdened by both myth and assumed knowledge.
-
-
Maps from the book would be extremely helpful
- By Michael Ryan on 02-06-2019
-
The Plantagenets: The Kings Who Made England
- By: Dan Jones
- Narrated by: Dan Jones
- Length: 22 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
England’s greatest royal dynasty, the Plantagenets, ruled over England through eight generations of kings. Their remarkable reign saw England emerge from the Dark Ages to become a highly organised kingdom that spanned a vast expanse of Europe. Plantagenet rule saw the establishment of laws and creation of artworks, monuments and tombs which survive to this day, and continue to speak of their sophistication, brutality and secrets. Dan Jones brings you a new vision of this battle-scarred history.
-
-
Brilliant
- By Anonymous User on 30-12-2020
-
The End: Hitler's Germany, 1944-45
- By: Ian Kershaw
- Narrated by: David Timson
- Length: 17 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The last months of the Second World War were a nightmarish time to be alive. Unimaginable levels of violence destroyed entire cities. Millions died or were dispossessed. By all kinds of criteria it was the end: the end of the Third Reich and its terrible empire but also, increasingly, it seemed to be the end of European civilization itself. In his gripping, revelatory new book Ian Kershaw describes these final months, from the failed attempt to assassinate Hitler in July 1944 to the German surrender in May 1945.
-
-
Well researched.
- By steve on 23-04-2018
-
The War of the World
- History's Age of Hatred
- By: Niall Ferguson
- Narrated by: Saul Reichlin
- Length: 34 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The world at the beginning of the 20th century seemed for most of its inhabitants stable and relatively benign. Globalising, booming economies married to technological breakthroughs seemed to promise a better world for most people. Instead the 20th century proved to be overwhelmingly the most violent, frightening and brutalised in history, with fanatical, often genocidal warfare engulfing most societies between the outbreak of the First World War and the end of the Cold War. What went wrong?
-
-
Daunting, Eye-opening and Dramatic
- By Anonymous User on 01-02-2018
Publisher's Summary
As an international war correspondent and radio commentator, William L. Shirer didn't just research the fall of France. He was there. In just six weeks, he watched the Third Reich topple one of the world's oldest military powers - and institute a rule of terror and paranoia.
Based on in-person conversation with the leaders, diplomats, generals, and ordinary citizens who both shaped the events of this time and lived through them on a daily basis, Shirer shapes a compelling account of historical events - without losing sight of the personal experience.
From the heroic efforts of the Freedom Fighters to the tactical military misjudgments that caused the fall and the daily realities of life for French citizens under Nazi rule, this fascinating and exhaustively documented account from one of the 20th century's most important historians makes the events of the fall accessible to a younger audience in vivid and memorable style.
What listeners say about The Collapse of the Third Republic
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Michael
- 30-05-2019
William Shirer and Grover Gardner Do it Again!
It has been some years since I read (listened to) William Shirer's incredible history of the Rise and Fall of the Third Reich and I plan to revisit it soon because it was such an amazing and informative listen. I didn't think this one, covering the French Third Republic, would hold my interest anywhere near as much. I was mistaken. This was utterly fascinating and provided much insight into the ready collapse of the otherwise militarily powerful French in the face of Nazi aggression. This book does a lot to fill in the missing pieces that allowed this terrible war to take hold and is a wonderful complement to Shirer's previous work from the German 'side of the fence'. As usual Grover Gardner does a magnificent job in narrating the work.
16 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Daniel L Carmony
- 14-05-2019
So much information
I bought The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich a couple years ago and absolutely loved it. I found this book and when I saw Grover Gardner did the reading I had to give it a try. I love the way Gardner reads Shirer’s work. It’s as if he was sitting across from you looking into a glass of Scotch and telling you a story. This is a story of the ant and the grasshopper. The ant works hard all summer to prepare for winter and the grasshopper just plays and relaxes. Then winter comes, there is no food and the grasshopper complains and blames everyone else for its problems. The French government had so many warnings about what Germany was planning and they just stick their heads in the sand. Shirer goes into so much detail on the subject you will almost be a scholar when you finish the book. The first part of the book is the backstory which starts in the late 1800s. I had a difficult time staying into the book at times because I didn’t know any of the people. Shirer is building a foundation and setting the tone for the eventual collapse of France. The second half of the book I could not get enough of. I throughly enjoyed it and I am thrilled to have it in my collection.
29 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 18-06-2019
A Must Read
For those of you have have read or listened to William Shirer's "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich," I'm sure that the majority of you found it to be one of the most compelling books ever written on the Nazi Party. I myself, after being so intimidated for years by it's the exceptional length, thoroughly enjoyed Grover Gardner's narration via Audible. That said, this post isn't about that monumental tomb. Recently I came across Shirer's "The Collapse of the Third Republic." Tracing back the history of French political instability for close to 80 years, Shirer - a man clearly with affectionate feelings towards the French - dives deep into the underlying root causes that ultimately would lead to the French collapse and defeat to Hitler's Germany in only 6 weeks. The narrative has long been that, "German had an extreme advantage in terms of technology, especially in tanks, "The German feint through Belgium and ultimate breakout through the Ardenne completely ruined any hope at resisting the armored and aerial superiority of the Germans," along with assertions that the French simply were dealing with the results of WWI, in which at battles like Verdun, German Chief of the General Staff Erich von Falkenhayn's goal was to "bleed France white;" despite all of these having a certain degree of truth to them, Shirer peals back to the lesser known and more impactful events which transpired well before the battle for France had begun to expose the roots of the fall of France. Personally, as someone who has not spent the majority of his academic career focused on WWII (and especially the French in that conflict,) for anyone interested in WWII and how Hitler was able to conquer the largest, most well supplied and resource-rich nation in all of Europe in a matter of weeks when only a generation prior, arguably a much better land-based military (in terms of leadership and strategy,) slumped to defeat in 1918; this book is absolutely phenomenal. Again, I preferred to listen via Audible where the same narrator assumes his role as the voice of Shirer -- whether you prefer to read the hard copy or simply listen; I couldn't recommend it more.
13 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- William
- 30-10-2019
Brilliant dissection of the Fall of France
I am by no means a student of French history, but I have read a number of books on the Third Reich and World War Two. This is by far the best explication of the circumstances leading to the utter collapse of the French army and Republic in a mere six weeks in May and June of 1940. The book is terrifically well written. There isn’t a dull chapter. The reading by Grover Gardner is such a pleasure. His pronunciation of French names, places and terms seemed pretty nearly perfect to me, although I’m hardly a fluent French speaker. I highly recommend this book to any student of twentieth century history or the history of World War Two.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- peter
- 24-06-2019
A brilliant 5 star study
Shirer is easily one of the finest historians I have ever read, up there with Will Durant and Shelby Foote or they are up there with him. I often wondered why France had failed so suddenly and completely in 1940 and what is the flaw that still spoils the Gallic national character even today. Shirer spells it all out with relentless factual detail and Grover Gardner narrates this truly fascinating story with perfect pitch. Highly recommended for anyone curious about one of the 20th century’s most amazing events.
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Magnus Brix
- 12-05-2019
Brilliant
Can't beat living history. Very worthy work by the never disappointing William Shirer. Enjoyed it immensely.
10 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- philip
- 27-06-2019
An All-Time Classic
I read Collapse about 20 years ago and thought it was pretty good but when another reader or listener said it was better than Decline and Fall of the third Reich i thought the guy was nuts. That is, in my view the best single volume history of the Nazis. (The Richard Evans trilogy is outstanding). Anyway, having listened to all 950 pages again i would have to say the person was sort of right, it's really a tie in my mind. The Reich is filled with villains you love to hate, the Third Republic is filled with worms you love to despise. Shirer lead an amazing life and luckily he is also an amazing researcher and writer. He was everywhere you read about in the histories of these times. At Munich when Chamberlain and Daladier capitulated to Hitler, at the rail car when the French signed the disgraceful armistice., etc. Shirer's irony can be pure acid and they are all deserving of his scorn. Grover gardner is my favorite narrator and he reads all 950 pages so so should you, or rather let him read it to you. You'll need to set aside a lot of time but every minute is worth it. Buy this book.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anne Alexander
- 05-08-2019
The epitome of good men doing nothing
“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” Watch good men doing nothing- except destroy the French Third Republic, a bullwork of chaotic and glorious democracy. They destroyed it by parts, slowly at first, then with rapid abandon - with inaction, timidity in the face of bullies, and blindness. Watch them underestimate the dangers of fascism and radicalism and nationalism. Watch them overestimate the strength of their governmental and social system. Their actions had dire consequences... for the French, for their hapless 'allies' they were sworn to protect, for the world. Hear it in the words of one of Murrow's stars, who reported it in real time from the places this ridiculous episode of humanity took place. Shirer was a witness to the insanity of World War II and a most gifted narrator of the events that unfolded. Grover Gardener is phonemenal again as he channels Shirer. Don't think this could happen again? Then you're a fool. Because “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- shelby larch
- 15-07-2020
The definitive acccount
Although a bit longish (I jest, it is looong.), the account is masterful and thorough. I know I will listen to it again in the future and, hopefully, fully digest the material. We get fall of France in history mainly as a corollary to Britain and Churchill's coming to stand alone against the Germans. What is missing is the story of how that came to be with the disfunction of French politics. This is that story.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Phillip LeConte
- 15-05-2020
What a find.
I was about to listen to Rise and Fall for the 5th or 6th time when I came across Collapse. Shirer tells a gripping story and Grover Gardner, what can I say, amazing.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Batter
- 12-07-2019
Excellent
Excellent historical inquiry. Full of interesting detail and well narrated. I would recommend this book.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 02-07-2019
Decent, but with some issues
Compared to the same author's book on the rise and fall of the Third Reich, this book unfortunately compares unfavourably. It's still a good listen to anyone interested in the subject and parts of it are excellent. The issues with the book in my opinion are three fold. The first issue is that the book recycles major parts from the author's book on the Third Reich, the chapters on the years 1938 and 1939 are partially or even fully copied over. I understand that there isn't as much archival information on the Third Republic and that it covers the same history, but I think it should be more focused on the French side of the story, bringing something new to readers who have read the other book. The other issue is the author's clear lack of understanding in small arms, tanks and planes especially and somewhat in military history overall. To be sure some of it is due to the age of the book, since its obviously based on the understanding back then. But there are some glaring mistakes and just strange ideas here and there. The third issue is with the author's clear political bias which also leads him to state erroneous facts on economics. To be fair, the author does state in the beginning that he has the most empathy for the "leftish" and socialist parties, but the bias comes through too much in places where it obscures historical events because of the author's political bias leading the narrative. Still, even with these issues I think the book is good overall and as I mentioned, some chapters are really excellent. If you can look through the errors and the bias, the book does give a good and quite detailed picture of the dramatic events during the end of the French Third Republic. The narration was great as it is always by Grover Gardner.
10 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- mcfontaine
- 24-03-2020
Shirer, brilliant as ever.
Having read both The Berlin Diary and Rise and Fall, I know this would be brilliant. I wasn’t wrong as it’s a fantastic insight to The Fall of France in 1940. The detail is second to none.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Mr J A Small
- 19-05-2020
fascinating for any history buff
keen insight into what went wrong on France in 1940, and how different things might have been. the Nazi conquest of France was far from inevitable, as we have tended to think since. highly recommended
16 Best Audiobooks by Aboriginal Authors
Across genres, there’s no shortage of brilliant titles from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers of Australia.



25 Best Celebrity Audiobooks
It’s always a pleasant surprise to pick up a familiar story and find an unexpected famous friend in the narrator’s booth.



Best Audiobooks of 2020
We've crunched the numbers, heard from our listeners and gotten expert opinions to round up the best listens of 2020.


