OSHER 741 - Book Review: The Rise and Fall of Third Reich, Part One

The purpose of this two-part course is to provide those serious students of World War II in Europe the opportunity to examine at the post-graduate level what is arguably the greatest single book written on the causes, decisions, personalities, campaigns, and conclusion of that war. The William L. Shirer tome is unsurpassed in readability and content. We spread this book review over two terms to allow sufficient time to give the book the attention it so richly deserves. RAFTR is 1,200 pages long, too many to cover in one course. Simple math tells us we will discuss 100 pages each week. The book nicely divides itself into two major sections: pre-war and at-war. Each class member will be expected to carefully read each 100-page section of RAFTR (no abridged copies, please) and then participate in the penetrating discussions that will mark this unique course. We will NOT compare events and personalities of pre-World War II with current events. Completion of Part 1 is a required condition to participate in Part 2.