INSIDE THE THIRD REICH

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Summary: I personally interviewed Albert Speer...Plus viewpoints
Review: In spending three separate days in Speer's home in Heidelburg, 21.08.80, there were a number of things I realized, both openly and candidly, we discussed re the third Reich and the four in OberSalzberg.Visiting the Federal Archives in Coblenz, thanks to Herr Dr. Speer, much was learned. I have his personally autographed book, "Architecktur" plus letters. Interesting person..further discussion???

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Summary: Excruciatingly Detailed, fascinating and illuminating
Review: Inside The Third Reich is a fascinating book that removes and or reinforces previous stereotypes of Nazi Germany. The most enlightening aspect of the book is the rise to power of Hitler explained by someone who was not a brute of the regime. While Speer's intellectual abilities and his use of them surpassed the more physical and brutal contributions of others (Himmler, Bormann, etc.) his ability to use his intelligence had the most far-reaching impact on Germany's ability to conduct war.

As someone who has never been drafted or participated in war, it is hard for me to imagine a life without freedom and opportunity. The book's description of the conditions out of which the Reich came to power is the most interesting. He was able to describe the poor economy, the joy of the people at seeing Germany rebuilt, the trust that was earned by creating jobs and pulling the economy out of depression via a "necesary war". Many people forget that the inter-war pe! riod was one of shame and suffering for the German people at the hands of Europe. Hitler gave Germans confidence in an incremental fashion, through gainful employment, cohesive messages trumpeting German strength and superiority (also party rallies), and tangible results of German strength (buildings, tanks and even uniforms). All of these things and more were quietly pointed out in the book in a fashion that gained even my admiration of Hitler's charm and charisma. Most importantly, it gave me a sense of where and how the Third Reich could have happened and how it ultimately ended.

The book is very long and at times overly detailed. But that only lends to makes it stronger and more significant as a historical document on the era. It is a must read for the avid fan of Nazi Germany.

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Summary: Albert Speer's book in historical context
Review: Albert Speer's "Inside the Third Reich" presents a historical view of daily events within the highest ranks of the Nazi power structure. He is able to humanize the Third Reich to a chilling degree, since he demonstrates again and again how little different these men were from many men. The very ordinariness of the high ranking German officials presents the reader with a vivid illustration that this could happen again!

Albert Speer may have a bit of self-interest in his presentation of events through his own eyes, but the most striking sense of the book is that he is, in fact, an extremely likeable man, and a man of thoughtfulness and conscience. His personal struggle to accept the wider meaning of his wartime activities demonstrates the capacity of a decent man to be swept away in indecent activity on the basis of personal pride in a job well done, a personal search for recognition and admiration, and an all too human ability to see through blinders for a very long time.

When we see some of the events currently taking place in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world, especially in places where there is considerable ethnic cohesion and substantial economic distress, we see once again a fertile field for a drift into human atrocity. Given the locally accepted concepts that German people were "special" as well homogeneous, that perpetuation of the ecomonic reorganization of Germany was critical to a return to tolerable life, and that the return to pride in self and nation would allow all Germans to lift their heads once again, Albert Speer took his place among others of talent and energy. They made a goverment and an economy WORK.

The sad fact that the Third Reich was led by a lunatic, who became even more insane and maniacal as time went by, was partially an accident to history.

Many good men, especially bright young men, follow a leader in the wrong direction, and later come to defend their wrong choice of leaders in part from loyalty, and in part to explain themselves to themselves. They cannot see that their emporer has no clothes because they are too close to him, and because they cannot bear to look at the fact that they were duped.

Eventually, realization comes, but often far later than it would have if they had not been totally embroiled already.

After I read Albert Speer's book, I admired him for coming forward to present his personal story of a man who did it all wrong, but who owed himself and humanity an account, and paid it.

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Summary: Success at any price
Review: I read with great interest Albert Speer's book "Inside the 3rd Reich". I believe that everybody interested in modern history should read about Hitler's Germany, and this book gives an intimate insider's view of the Inner Circle around the 'Fuehrer'. But is it sincere? Just how captivating Speer's elaborately woven net of deception and self-deception, of partial admission of 'collective' guilt (and thus personal absolvation) is I experienced myself when reading "Inside the 3rd Reich". In particular when Speer describes his last visit in the 'Fuehrerbunker' and claims to have confessed his late opossition to Hitler's 'Scorched Earth' strategy, and when he writes about the 'fit of weeping' that came over him after he realized the extent of destruction in Europe in the days after Hitler's death, one almost believes him that he 'didn't know' anything, just did his duty as any good German for the war effort, and that his devotion to Hitler had blinded him against the inmesurable crime he helped to perpetrate. Thus, almost from the first line on, Speer sets out to spring an elaborate trap, carefully, subtly - a trap for the reader, almost inescapable. At the end of the book, the reader has fallen prey, to the illusion that Speer was basically a 'good guy', not really a 'Nazi' at all, and in fact wanted to even assasinate Hitler in the end. In reality, Speer was even worse than Himmler, Bormann, Ley, Goering and the others, since in his case one cannot excuse his participation in the Nazi nightmare with the lack of intelligence. On the contrary: Speer was THE intellectual in this circle, rivalled only by Goebbels, yet Speer not a fanatic, but even worse - a technocrat in a void of morality, with the only selfish aim of advancing himself, of gathering power, maybe succeeding Hitler? Speer wanted success, success at any price. And this is Speer, dangerously intelligent, incredibly selfish, who set out to narrate "his" story, in which he appears to admit guilt but in fact absolves himself from responsibility. The aim? Success, again. And he got it. This book, a masterful piece of deception, dramaturgically remastering history (Speer's suicidal confession to Hitler never took place, for example) became THE best seller after WW II! As Speer said about Hitler once: You hardly recognize the devil when he puts his hand on your shoulder. True, indeed! Yet, the devil comes in many forms - and it appears that occasionally - he writes a book! Yours Sincerely, Imre Berger, PhD Dept. of Biology, MIT [e-mail] on "Inside the 3rd Reich" (Erinnerungen, by A. Speer)

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Summary: A testament of real human dignity and honesty.
Review: In a word, Albert Speer could only be discribed as "genious" true organizational genious! Albert Speer the man who made it possible to extend the war after it had been effectivly lost, casts an honest eye back on thoes horrable years. Striking detailes of his years as Hitlers personal archetect and later as Reichminister of armaments and war production flaunt the pages. An outstanding display of dignity and honesty from the man who might very well have single handedly saved Germany, by countermanding Hitlers scorched earth policy, running the very real risk of summery exacution. Displaying his genious again through his undoubted elegance and intellegence, preseanted a brilliant defence at the nuremberg war crimes tryal. Eluding an almost cirtin death sentence

Rating:
Summary: Success at any price
Review: I read with great interest Albert Speer's book "Inside the 3rd Reich". I believe that everybody interested in modern history should read about Hitler's Germany, and this book gives an intimate insider's view of the Inner Circle around the 'Fuehrer'. But is it sincere? Just how captivating Speer's elaborately woven net of deception and self-deception, of partial admission of 'collective' guilt (and thus personal absolvation) is I experienced myself when reading "Inside the 3rd Reich". In particular when Speer describes his last visit in the 'Fuehrerbunker' and claims to have confessed his late opossition to Hitler's 'Scorched Earth' strategy, and when he writes about the 'fit of weeping' that came over him after he realized the extent of destruction in Europe in the days after Hitler's death, one almost believes him that he 'didn't know' anything, just did his duty as any good German for the war effort, and that his devotion to Hitler had blinded him against the inmesurable crime he helped to perpetrate. Thus, almost from the first line on, Speer sets out to spring an elaborate trap, carefully, subtly - a trap for the reader, almost inescapable. At the end of the book, the reader has fallen prey, to the illusion that Speer was basically a 'good guy', not really a 'Nazi' at all, and in fact wanted to even assasinate Hitler in the end. In reality, Speer was even worse than Himmler, Bormann, Ley, Goering and the others, since in his case one cannot excuse his participation in the Nazi nightmare with the lack of intelligence. On the contrary: Speer was THE intellectual in this circle, rivalled only by Goebbels, yet Speer not a fanatic, but even worse - a technocrat in a void of morality, with the only selfish aim of advancing himself, of gathering power, maybe succeeding Hitler? Speer wanted success, success at any price. And this is Speer, dangerously intelligent, incredibly selfish, who set out to narrate "his" story, in which he appears to admit guilt but in fact absolves himself from responsibility. The aim? Success, again. And he got it. This book, a masterful piece of deception, dramaturgically remastering history (Speer's suicidal confession to Hitler never took place, for example) became THE best seller after WW II! As Speer said about Hitler once: You hardly recognize the devil when he puts his hand on your shoulder. True, indeed! Yet, the devil comes in many forms - and it appears that occasionally - he writes a book! Yours Sincerely, Imre Berger, PhD Dept. of Biology, MIT [e-mail] on "Inside the 3rd Reich" (Erinnerungen, by A. Speer)

Rating:
Summary: A must read
Review: As long as one remembers the fact that this book is from Speer's perspective and was also written as somewhat of an act of contrition, the book is excellent. It's a unique portrait of Hitler from 1932-1945 from the one of the only people who would have qualified as Hitler's friend. The book is essentially the history of the Third Reich from Speer's perspective. He was Hitler's architect, and later minister of armaments (1942-1945). The subjects covered in this book are quite wide-ranging, including the National Socialist party, relations between Nazis (a lot of them hated one another), a lot on Hitler's personality, and the military campaigns and situation. Not only was Speer in an excellent position to provide an insider's look at all these, but his book is one of the most intimate accounts of Hitler's personal life, to the point that one could only have an educated on Hitler after reading this book. Many of the other memoirs from Hitler's staff or associates did not provide the personal perspective of Speer, whom Hitler had genuine affection for (rather than the working relationship he had with Himmler). One must of course, as with any book, bear in mind that it is presented from Speer's post-war perspective, however it's veracity is generally good. One might want to read Dan Van der Vat or Joachim Fest's books on Speer for more of an analysis, or even better Gitta Sereny. Definitely worth the read!

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Summary: History from an Insider
Review: Some fifteen years ago, I read William Shirer's magnum opus, "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich". The strength of this work was that Shirer was a direct observer of the events. His history was first hand.

At the time of reading Shirer, it was suggested to me that I also delve into Speer's "Inside the Third Reich". It was my great mistake not to have heeded this advice and only now read Speer's work. Speer was the ultimate insider.

Speer's writing style is particularly elegant. His work is easy to read and it has a steady flow. More important, however, is the fact that Speer truly saw the rise and fall of the Third Reich from the inside. He was no mere observer but a participant. An architect by training, Speer became Hitler's principal architect prior to World War II and, when the war started, was appointed as Minister for Armaments. His role was to keep the war machine producing at maximum capacity.

As time progressed and after the belated entry of America into the war, it was inevitable that Nazi Germany was heading to defeat. Yet Hitler fought to the bitter end. The Red Army was approaching the entry to his bunker before he finally took his own life.

Through the war, Speer remained committed to his job and, by default at least, committed to Hitler. However, towards the end of the book, Speer begins to have doubts. He even shows an inkling of remorse. This fact and his not being directly involved in mass deaths saved him from the gallows at Nuremberg. Whether this result was fair is a matter of some argument. I am inclined to the view that his twenty year sentence was probably sufficient punishment. Others may disagree. Speer argues his case eloquently.

To many readers of this review, the very thought of reading the memoirs of one of Hitler's operatives may be anathema. Do not let this point be discouraging. This book is excellent. Its writing style is of a similar high calibre. I commend this work to all readers of 20th century history.


Rating:
Summary: Good account of the 'other side' of the war
Review: "Inside the Third Reich" is a great autobiographical book by one of the main pillars of the former Nazi machine of WWII.
The intriquing aspect of this book is the mere fact that it is an account of an era for which most information is one-sided.
The victors have always been the ones to write history...and that reduces the authenticity of our recorded times.
Albert Speer narates his book with insightful honesty (or dishonesty? we shall never truly know) and gives us an insiders perspective on how Adolf Hitler really was in person.
Mr. Speer's great involvment with the Architectural aspects of the Third Reich allowed him to be one of the more cherished assets for Hitler's Germany, and allowed him to play a major role in the most turbulent times of the 20th century.
This book, written by him while he awaited his Trial at Nuremburg is more of an act of redemption on Mr. Speers part; a chance to set things straight, to give his version of the greatest War story of our times.
For its historical importance alone, this book is a must for any WWII enthusiast.

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Summary: A CAPTIVATING, ENGAGING STORY
Review: In 1989, during my Peace Corps service, I came across the book "INSIDE THE THIRD REICH" quite by surprise and could not put it down. I read it for hours nonstop.

The story that Speer relates here of his life and career in the Third Reich, first as Hitler's architect, and later as the Minister for Armaments and War Production (1942-1945) is gripping and compelling. You get a real, tangible sense of what the people (e.g. Goering, Hess, Himmler, Goebbels, Bormann, etc.) were like who played key roles in Nazi Germany.

This memoir does not read like a dry retelling of historical events. You feel yourself a witness to an unfolding drama of deceit, treachery, genocide, and war in the heart of the Third Reich. All of these events may seem incredible as Speer describes them. But they happened, and in reading "INSIDE THE THIRD REICH", you see how it was that Germany was led down the path to destruction by its political leadership.