Inside Hitler's Bunker: The Last Days of the Third Reich

If you've just see the stunning, timeless and (frighteningly) timely film Downfall, and are looking for a companion volume or perhaps some follow- up reading to learn more about the bewildering menagerie of characters the film introduces, this is NOT it. Though an excellent book in its own right, Inside Hitler's Bunker actually provides only the briefest of glimpses inside the bunker, and even less information about the backgrounds and fates of the people in and around it during the final days of the Third Reich. Instead this short book focuses on exactly what it's original German title says it does: Hitler and the end of the Third Reich. Fest, one of the worlds leading experts on Hitler, here summarizes some of the major themes of Hitler's philosophy (if it can be called that) as it reaches its end, against the back drop of the collapse of his régime. The bunker and its inhabitants are visited only when necessary to aid his tour through Hitler's mind.

A great read. Right, get to know that crazy man. We all want to know what evil is. It is upsetting and horrible. But we are drawn to reading about it. I’m glad I read this book. I hope he suffered but he was too much of a narcissist and egomaniac to truly get it

Other reviewers have captured the fascinating and frustrating story told so well by the author and translator. Clearly captured, perhaps better than elsewhere, is the notion that Hitler in some small or large degree relished the end. The final Darwinian chapter written with Germany the loser, but the game played as he wanted regardless of who won. The word Warmonger is over-used, but Hitler may really have been a monger of War, and may have valued War itself above any quasi-political desires. Perhaps it was only second in his mind to the annihilation of the Jewish people.

Its a good quick read book but it could of had more pictures and maps. I will say also the price was great....$3.00.

In an unexpected way this small volume contains not only a sensitive and accurate account of the days in Hitler's Bunker but it sketches the historical and political background, the causes which led to the final spasms of the Third Reich. More: It can serve as case-study of 'Leadership' and an almost clinical examination of its consequences.Effortless! Easy to read. Flawlessly translated.Thank you, Joachim Fest.

I found this very brief book to be extremely disappointing. I had bought it because the movie "DOWNFALL" is supposably based on it but after reading the book I find this hard to believe. Much is it is spent discussing the exploits of the Red Army, moralizing about the Nazis, or psychoanalyzing Hitler rather than discussing the subject at hand - a history of the bunker and its participants, none of whom you learn much about in this tiny, often contradictory book. With most of the original participants now dead and not available for interview, the author relies on previously published accounts of the bunker but, strangely, completely ignores the definitive work on Hitler's bunker, James P. O'Donnell's "THE BUNKER", a vastly superior book I highly recommend.Strangely, photos in this book in this book are mostly of Soviets (!) rather than bunker survivors. The book has no footnotes and many of the author's accounts are contradictory and confusing, which he himself admits, apparently because he was unable to do any first hand research (as James P. O'Donnell had done thirty years ago when he interviewed all the bunker survivors). Many issues Fest found confusing or unexplainable actually had been resolved by O'Donnell (who had gone through the trouble of doing his own research) thirty years ago and Fest could have enlightened his readers if he had read a copy of "THE BUNKER" before writing his own tiny essay on the subject.The bottom line is to forget this book and find a copy of James P. O'Donnell's "THE BUNKER" if you want to learn about what went on in Hitler's bunker. The book isn't perfect, but is the best so far on the subject and the author did his homework - unlike Fest.

If you you liked the movie Downfall you'll love this book. The book was the basis of the movie. Very detailed, but a quick easy read. Recommended for all ages.

Great read into Hilters last days

This is quite a short account at 170 reading pages, approx. In terms of the narrative history it's probably only about 100 pages as every other chapter is a 'reflection' / analytical essay. (The reflections don't add much and I found them a bit abstruse at times.) It's OK, but it's not groundbreaking or exceptional in any way. Unless what you want is a very short overview, you may find James P. O'Donnell's 'The Berlin Bunker' more rewarding. Indeed, O'Donnell is praised in Fest's bibliography despite the fact that it is 40 years old.

Bought to read after watching Downfall (the double-DVD, with commentary, highly recommended). It's compelling, as was the original film production. Joachim Fest is well in command of his subject; it's a book that will be bought and given away many times.

Excellent book on this subject, well researched, makes you feel like you were there witnessing events, found it hard to put down. Definitely recommend if you interested in subject matter.

Scholarly but very readable. A good antidote to the ridiculous theories, eg on television, about Hitler escaping to a nice overseas retirement.

this book puts you at the heart of the final days in Hitler's bunker. As it is written one cannot avoid a feeling of impending doom as the Russians get ever nearer. I like the way the author has found out what happened to the principal players after the war and tells the reader their story. A very interesting and accurate book.