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The Collapse of the Third Republic

An Inquiry into the Fall of France in 1940

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The Collapse of the Third Republic

By: William L. Shirer
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
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About this listen

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.

©2019 William L. Shirer (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Europe France Military War Imperialism Interwar Period Self-Determination Nonfiction King Royalty Hungary

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Interesting information and well narrated. The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich is another Audible you should listen to.

Excellent

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excellent insight into France in the build up to it allying itself to Hitler.

brilliant

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I have been v interested in finding out what happened in France especially in the 20th Century up to 1940 e.g. why did the French Army collapse in May-June 1940? I've heard & read plenty re UK / USA / Germany but v little re France. The book has the advantage of first hand experience i.e. William Shirer was a foreign correspondent for the Chicago Tribune. Before he moved to Berlin in 1934, he was based in Paris 1925-1933. As a result he was on the inside track, knew many of the actors, and so could evaluate France based on his detailed knowledge.
The reading isn't bad tho' a little flat. The book now seems a little dated given that it was written mid-1960s, and since then many books have been published. The French govt. had not welcomed scrutiny of its actions, sth that Shirer writes about. The book would have been better if the author had connected up political movements with social developments, and written a chpaper or two re education / health/ crime etc.

First hand account ; vg if you into that period

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Excellent historical inquiry. Full of interesting detail and well narrated. I would recommend this book.

Excellent

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A wonderful account from Shirer of the momentous events leading to the catastrophic decisions made by French politicians and military leaders in the build up to the German invasion of France. Any audible book by Shirer and narration by Grover Gardner is unmissable.

Fascinating

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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.

Shirer, brilliant as ever.

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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

fascinating for any history buff

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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.

Decent, but with some issues

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