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Cake day: March 7th, 2025

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  • I was disappointed at first, but other comments in the thread acknowledged its shortcomings but also its place in history as a still-important work of literature. The danger is in taking it as the definitive source of information on the Third Reich. It sounds like Evans’ trilogy on the Third Reich is the much better info source while still being engaging. I guess the right answer is to go ahead and read through both, but take the Trilogy more seriously. Shirer’s work is still engaging and moving and there’s probably still a lot of value in its retelling of events from primary sources, but his analysis of the politics and economics is oversimplified and American-biased. For example, he includes a testimony from a German engineer witnessing a massacre by the SS that will probably haunt me forever in a poignant and meaningful way…the kind of way that steels my resolve to forever oppose autocratic regimes and those who support them.





  • I am enjoying it. It’s fascinating. Fascistnating…

    I wish I were reading it because it’s so detail-rich and I really need to take my time in some spots. Were I studying it for school, I’d certainly be intending to pore through its pages while referencing maps and portraits of its main characters. As it is, it’s fairly decent for low-stress driving.

    This guy’s YT review provides a pretty summary of why it’s a worthy read (or listen). But it is 57 hours long, so quite a heavy time commitment. But definitely a book that should be mandatory for everyone on earth to read at some point.

    I also highly recommend watching HBO’s Conspiracy with Kenneth Branagh, Stanely Tucci, and Colin Firth. It complements the story in Schindler’s List incredibly well.