End of a Berlin Diary

Synopsis

"When I came home from Berlin at Christmas time in 1940, I found most of my fellow countrymen unaware of what Hitler was really up to and somewhat confused as to how he had accomplished his evil designs. Some Americans didn't much care. Since it had been my lot to witness Europe's agony at first hand, I collected some of my notes in a book for the edification of such citizens as cared to read it. This book of notes is, in a way, a sequel to Berlin Diary. It is the end of my own small contribution to the Berlin story. There was a great deal, of course, that a reporter had not been able to learn in the frenzied Nazi capital beyond the Elbe. The sinister plots, the fateful decisions, that had plunged the world into such awful horror and misery had been made in secret. And what had really gone on in Germany after I left? Had defeat and collapse solved the German problem -- at least for the rest of our lifetime ? After the war's end I went back to Berlin to try to find out. I prowled the obscene ruins of the once proud capital and talked with the remnants of the Herrenvolk. At Nuremberg, amidst the debris of the lovely medieval town, I saw the surviving leaders of the Nazi gangster world, who had wielded such monstrous power so arrogantly when last I beheld them, finally brought to justice. Most important of all, I had access to a good part of the fourteen hundred tons of secret German documents that the Allies had captured intact. You will find the essential portions of many of them in this book. I have been content to let the German authors tell in their own inimitable words the dark and almost unbelievable tale of their savagery and deceit. Had these secret archives of the German government been destroyed, as the Nazis intended them to be, much of the truth about our weird period in history would have been buried forever. Now it is here for those who care to learn it. I have also tried to include in this book the thread of another story -- the story of the beginning of the Peace. Reader, you and I have already forgotten the fleeting moment of glory and man's magnificent sense of dedication the day peace descended on this wretched earth. I know that erring mortals cannot remain on the heights for long. But these notes, scribbled down at the time, may help to remind you that many on our side achieved those heights after the war's bloody struggles had brought out their inhuman courage, their bravery, and their wonderful fortitude."

Copyright:

1947

Book Details

Book Quality:

Excellent

Book Size:

187 Pages

Publisher:

N/A

Date of Addition:

09/16/05

Copyrighted By:

WILLIAM L. SHIRER

Adult content:

No

Language:

English

Has Image Descriptions:

No

Categories:

History, Military, Nonfiction, Biographies and Memoirs

Submitted By:

Michael Mello

Proofread By:

Lena

Usage Restrictions:

This is a copyrighted book.