Recommend

I am fascinated by the Nazi's, almost to the point of obsession. The nature of this malady surrounds the question "how did this happen??"

Kershaw's account adds detail and context. I learned a bit more about the effect of Goebbel's propaganda, as well as the extent to which Nazism was interwoven into the culture. I found it horrifying, but illuminating, to learn how local peoples court's pronounced, and carried out, death sentences on their fellow citizens, right up to the end; even after the war was clearly lost. I was also amazed to learn the degree to which the German's continued their allegiance to administrative bureaucracy, again, right up until the end.These stories were repetitive, but they really demonstrate the mania of the German populace at the time.

I also gained a better appreciation for the horror of Bolshevik conquest, and occupation. I kinda figured that was bad, but Kershaw makes clear how bad. Its funny (not haha) how I was able to feel sympathy for Germany.

Bottom line - this is a good book if you are also fascinated by the Nazi's, or WWII history. If not, it will probably just depress you and cause you to lose more faith in humanity. Narration is not an issue for this audio.

24 people found this helpful

37 minutes of history, 18 hours of pontification

So much time, so little substance. The author's endless and redundant multisyllabic pontifications did nothing to educate me on the war beyond what I already knew. I actually listened to the whole thing like one listens unattentively to elevator music. A far better read, and by far better author and historian is anything written by Roger Moorhouse, in my opinion. Or you can throw a dart!

I won't be reading anything else from Kershaw, sorry.

11 people found this helpful

Hitler's Third War.

What made the experience of listening to The End the most enjoyable?

The facination of "The End" was Hitler's third war, the war against his own people

What was one of the most memorable moments of The End?

The failed plot to kill Hitler.

Have you listened to any of Sean Pratt’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first time I've listened to Mr. Pratt's work.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

As an animal lover, I was angered by Hitler's order to euthenize all the pets.

Any additional comments?

"The End" gives the reader a "you are there" perspective more powerful than "Rise and Fall of the Third Reich."

9 people found this helpful

Engrossing yet horrifying

Exploding the myth of the 'professional' Wehrmacht, standing aloof from Nazi politics, this book investigates why Germany followed Hitler into the abyss. As in Ian Kershaw's other books on WW2, his research is meticulous, and the narrative is logical and enlivened by extracts from contemporary diaries. It is a truly horrifying story. I liked Sean Pratt's narration though I found his pronunciation occasionally idiosyncratic.

29 people found this helpful

An excellent historical analysis

Any additional comments?

So many say there is so little left to see in WWII. It has been all said before. But I would say people like Kershaw bring a revisionist eye to what we now know happened with the release of so many parliamentary papers. Why did the who Nazi edifice hold together even when it was doomed. Why could the US, UK, French, Australian etc in the west just not move forward as expected by the generals and ultimately why did the German people not just throw in the towel. Just say enough is enough.

Its an excellent and scholarly achievement. Well do. Having listened once already I have already started to listened again. (And being a member since 1996 I have many 100's to select from and this is one of the best)

12 people found this helpful

Addictive.

I was drawn to this book due to my interest in the period and my fascination with how a nation could so embrace a philosophy that is so alien to the rest of us today. I was absolutely enthralled by the subject matter and the detail descriptions of some of the more colorful and yet abhorrent characters of this book. To me atleast, the book explains in detail the pure absurdity of the final months of the war and the total inability of the powers that be to change the outcome of destruction that Germany faced. There really was no alternative to Hitler. I truly wish that Audible release more Ian Kershaw books on WWII fairly soon. This is wonderful reading (listening) and if you like history, this must not be missed.

18 people found this helpful

Narration

the book is fascinating and full of information for those of us interested in WWII history.

My only struggle was with the narrator. As others have noted, the reader pauses in odd places, reminding me of William Shatner's Captain Kirk. I was able to adjust my expectations and I was able to finish the book without struggle.

5 people found this helpful

Enlightening.

It took me a while to get into this book, which is unusual for me when it's a WWII book. Eventually I got rolling and really enjoyed the book.

Ian Kershaw sets out the book's purpose in the introduction. This intro is thorough and terrific (although listeners may feel that it repeats much of what is in the preface). He wants to explain why Germany fought on to the end, bringing on total destruction rather than surrendering the way that almost all losing entities eventually do. The author makes clear that this is not a military history. He also explains that his book does not go further than capitulation. In addition, it is written from the viewpoint of the Germans only.

Kershaw actually does give plenty of necessary details about the military situation, and in the conclusion of the book he does make some comments about the post-war situation. But all of that is very welcome.

It will most likely take the listener a while to get used to the narrator. To be blunt, the narrator is boring. He also tends to trail off, which makes speed listening difficult at times. He is also prone to weird pauses (again, making it difficult to speed listen). The first quarter of the book is a bit dry, and the narrator certainly does not help.

Eventually though the pace of the book picks up and it really is quite enjoyable. This is a fascinating look at the psychology of the German population and the factors that led to Hitler leading the country into total war and finally to total annihilation, well after it was clear to most that the war was lost.

World War II and Third Reich scholars will definitely appreciate this book.

5 people found this helpful

Great work, AWFUL Narration

Where does The End rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In terms of the content, I can't say for sure, because I only got halfway through the introduction. The narration was so grating that I quit the book then, and returned it. While the narrators voice is clear and pleasant, he chooses the worst times to pause, like smack in the middle of a sentence, where it is both disconcerting and distracting. The books introduction was very good though, at least in content.

What does Sean Pratt bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

periods and commas, in all of the wrong places.

16 people found this helpful

Narrater needs a german diction coach

What did you love best about The End?

Fascinating historical account, but the mispronunciations of German terms and names was at times distracting.

What other book might you compare The End to and why?

Richard J Evan's "The Third Reich at War"

9 people found this helpful