Travelers in the Third Reich

The Rise of Fascism: 1919-1945

By: Julia Boyd

Narrated by: Christa Lewis

This fascinating and shocking history of the rise of the Nazis draws together a multitude of expatriate voices - even Charles Lindbergh and Samuel Beckett - into a powerful narrative charting this extraordinary phenomenon.

Without the benefit of hindsight, how do you interpret what's right in front of your eyes?

The events that took place in Germany between 1919 and 1945 were dramatic and terrible, but there were also moments of confusion, of doubt - even of hope. How easy was it to know what was actually going on, to grasp the essence of National Socialism, to remain untouched by the propaganda, or predict the Holocaust?

Travelers in the Third Reich is an extraordinary history of the rise of the Nazis based on fascinating firsthand accounts, drawing together a multitude of voices and stories, including politicians, musicians, diplomats, schoolchildren, communists, scholars, athletes, poets, fascists, artists, tourists, and even celebrities like Charles Lindbergh and Samuel Beckett. Their experiences create a remarkable three-dimensional picture of Germany under Hitler - one so palpable that the listener will feel, hear, even breathe the atmosphere.

These are the accidental eyewitnesses to history. Disturbing, absurd, moving, and ranging from the deeply trivial to the deeply tragic, their tales give a fresh insight into the complexities of the Third Reich, its paradoxes, and its ultimate destruction.

©2018 Julia Boyd (P)2019 Tantor

Wow! A completely new perspective!!!

I really found this book interesting. It gave a completely new view of the daily life during this period in Nazi Germany (before and during the war). It shows how propaganda can have a huge impact on normal people (native and foreign).

History or Prequel?

Is this story of how visitors from the great democracies were seduced by the Nazis a forecast of what may happen if the MAGA movement has a second chance to rule the USA? Read and decide.

Good but a little tedious

So is a good book with great content from a fascinating perspective of the rise of fascism and totalitarianism through the lens of vacationers. Book has great relevance in our current political state in the United States, as we are teetering on the precipice of democracy versus tyranny. The parallels are, uncanny and apropos for today’s environment and climate. I think this fresh look at the deceptiveness on the surface of malevolent forces that can shift societies critically important for us to be reminded of.

A wonderful record of traveler’s experiences in 3rd Reich Germany

Interesting to see how much optimism and hope for peace allowed thugs to take over the country. ‘Maybe they will settle down!’ Hitler & co started with a lot of razzle dazzle but quickly turned to desperation for the Germans. They bet the farm on Hitler and lost everything.

Interesting view of Weimar and Nazi Germany

This is a very informative story told from the unusual point of view of visitors to Germany from the end of World War I to the end of World War II,