kristinnyoung's review against another edition
3.0
Reading this book is a lot like reading a college level history book - covers the most impactful and interesting parts of the history, minimally biased and maximally factual, and not much by way of prose. Getting through this book was tough at points because it's so dense, and I feel like it was a bit repetitive for emphasis, but could have been more succinct and still relayed the same point. Still, the information presented is invaluable and incredibly detailed. I'm fascinated by the social intricacies that presented themselves throughout the 1930s in Nazi Germany, and for something like the rise of Nazi fascism which faces so much blanketing and generalization, I feel like this book is really important in keeping the nuances and facts alive.
miguelf's review against another edition
4.0
To be just slightly critical here, I don’t think that the author lives up to the title in that instead of a laser focused overview of the first 100 days the reader receives quite a bit of information post 1933 that could have been exchanged for an even closer examination of the title’s subject matter. That stated, the book does a pretty good job of giving a flavor for the outset of the Nazi regime with particular focus on ordinary reaction of firsthand accounts giving a sense of how the national mood was both shaped and changed in the process. There’s also some good detail on the role and reaction of the social democrats (current SDP party in Germany) and their role and response to Hitler taking over the chancellorship.
yourfavavery's review against another edition
4.0
So my wonderful younger brother gifted me this book for Christmas last year, and I found it very interesting (not enjoyable, though). The parallels between Germany in the first 100 days of the Third Reich and the United States in late 2020 are disturbing. The othering of certain populations, the idea that a previous time was "better for the morale of the nation" (just not everyone in the nation, though), and the denouncement of political opposition as "divisive and bad for our nation" all come to mind.
Overall, though, it made me feel more positive than I thought in the end. There's a major reason we aren't in the same circumstances here (namely that we have a stronger democracy vs. the Weimar Republic) and I can't see that changing anytime soon.
So I would say don't expect any big revelations coming out of this. Also as a word of warning, this book in't for beginners, so you will need a basic understanding of the politics of Germany at this time. If you are interested in this part of history, pick up a copy.
Overall, though, it made me feel more positive than I thought in the end. There's a major reason we aren't in the same circumstances here (namely that we have a stronger democracy vs. the Weimar Republic) and I can't see that changing anytime soon.
So I would say don't expect any big revelations coming out of this. Also as a word of warning, this book in't for beginners, so you will need a basic understanding of the politics of Germany at this time. If you are interested in this part of history, pick up a copy.
tabbycat26's review against another edition
This was a very good book. It explains a lot on why and how Hitler became chancellor of Germany in 1933 and what steps were taken and actions that occurred during this 1st 100 days.
simoneclark's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you, NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!
There are so many books about Hitler that it is hard to find a really unique one that doesn't tell you anything that other books haven't told you already. This was an ok book. It wasn't my favorite book about Hitler, but I loved reading about the events that unfolded in the late 1930s/early 1940s from a different angle.
There are so many books about Hitler that it is hard to find a really unique one that doesn't tell you anything that other books haven't told you already. This was an ok book. It wasn't my favorite book about Hitler, but I loved reading about the events that unfolded in the late 1930s/early 1940s from a different angle.
miguelf's review
4.0
To be just slightly critical here, I don’t think that the author lives up to the title in that instead of a laser focused overview of the first 100 days the reader receives quite a bit of information post 1933 that could have been exchanged for an even closer examination of the title’s subject matter. That stated, the book does a pretty good job of giving a flavor for the outset of the Nazi regime with particular focus on ordinary reaction of firsthand accounts giving a sense of how the national mood was both shaped and changed in the process. There’s also some good detail on the role and reaction of the social democrats (current SDP party in Germany) and their role and response to Hitler taking over the chancellorship.
caidyn's review
4.0
Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
3.5/5
This was a very interesting read because it covers a few areas. It starts with how the Nazis further alienated the Communists, pitting themselves in a war against them when possible. That was interesting since I've never read a book about Nazi and Communist relations. What I knew was that they didn't get along and, in later years, Communists were sent to concentration camps. Next, the book talked about the beginning of discrimination against the Jews, which is something that most of us are familiar with.
Finally, it covered a topic that I wasn't expecting: How much the German people really adopted Hitler's beliefs. Was it all just a cover or did they really believe him? That was super interesting because it's a valid question. How much did people really change their thoughts to fit his regime or was it a show to keep yourself safe?
Overall, a very interesting book that covered a few different areas and didn't try to cover every little thing that happened in Hitler's first hundred days.
3.5/5
This was a very interesting read because it covers a few areas. It starts with how the Nazis further alienated the Communists, pitting themselves in a war against them when possible. That was interesting since I've never read a book about Nazi and Communist relations. What I knew was that they didn't get along and, in later years, Communists were sent to concentration camps. Next, the book talked about the beginning of discrimination against the Jews, which is something that most of us are familiar with.
Finally, it covered a topic that I wasn't expecting: How much the German people really adopted Hitler's beliefs. Was it all just a cover or did they really believe him? That was super interesting because it's a valid question. How much did people really change their thoughts to fit his regime or was it a show to keep yourself safe?
Overall, a very interesting book that covered a few different areas and didn't try to cover every little thing that happened in Hitler's first hundred days.
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