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The Weimar Years

Rise and Fall 1918-1933

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The Weimar Years

By: Frank McDonough
Narrated by: Paul McGann
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Bloomsbury presents The Weimar Years by Frank McDonough, read by Paul McGann.

A DAILY MAIL BOOK OF THE WEEK
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A DAILY TELEGRAPH BEST HISTORY BOOK OF 2023
ASPECTS OF HISTORY BOOKS OF THE YEAR
A GUARDIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023
A DAILY MAIL BEST CHRISTMAS BOOK OF 2023

Established in 1918–19, in the wake of Germany’s catastrophic defeat in the First World War and the revolution that followed swiftly on its heels, the Weimar Republic ushered in widespread social reform, a radical cultural flowering and the most democratic conditions the German people had ever known.

At its beginning, Weimar held out the hope that democracy, stability and prosperity would take root in Germany, but it was beset by frequent changes of government, waves of economic upheaval and spasms of violence of increasing intensity between the forces of left and right. Agitation and assassination by rightwing nationalists – enraged by the severity of the Treaty of Versailles and the acceptance of its terms by liberal German politicians – formed a threatening descant to the conciliatory efforts of successive coalition governments. Ultimately, the instabilities of Weimar would lead to the appointment as German Chancellor of the Nazi Fu¨hrer Adolf Hitler, who created a one-party dictatorship that abandoned the rule of law, democracy and civil rights. In the words of Gustav Stresemann, Germany’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning Foreign Minister from 1923 to 1929, Weimar democracy was ‘dancing on a volcano’.

The Weimar Years is a vivid and compelling narrative of a dramatic period in German history. Year by year, from 1918 to 1933, Frank McDonough covers the major events in both domestic and foreign policy and the personalities who shaped them, together with developments in music, art, theatre and literature. McDonough places particular focus on the parliamentary history of Weimar, arguing that it was the failure of parliamentary democracy to bring stability that eroded public confidence and allowed the power of the elected Reichstag to gradually diminish, culminating in Hitler’s accession to power in January 1933.

The Weimar Years is the tragic story of a rise and fall, as well as a warning of how, under poor leadership, economic pressure and unrelenting political volatility, a democracy can drift towards a form of authoritarian rule that eventually destroys it. 20th Century Europe Germany Military Modern War Socialism Liberalism Imperialism Winston Churchill Soviet Union Government Law Capitalism Interwar Period
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Critic reviews

Astonishing. A masterful account of the Weimar Republic that is the best I have ever read – and one that is destined to be a classic. An extraordinary achievement.
Magisterial, terrifyingly relevant and yet also a celebration of Weimar's delicious decadence: Frank McDonough's new Weimar Years, the latest in his outstanding series on Nazi rule and how it happened, combines scholarly research, narrative brio and lucid analysis in a work that enjoys the creativity and libertinism of Weimar - while chronicling its flaws and its rising darkness.
Yet again McDonough shows why he is one of the best chroniclers of 20th century Germany. This excellent book completes the set. Alongside his other volumes he now tells the whole story of Germany from one World War defeat to another. A giant achievement.
Frank McDonough has done it again. This authoritative guide to the fractured Weimar Republic is both well-considered and immensely readable. Superb.
Written with an easy style which belies its author’s erudition, The Weimar Years is a masterpiece of narrative history - and a poignant lesson in how democracy can fail.
[A] brilliant new book... shows with terrifying clarity that everything in global politics connects
[A] timely book, delivering a stark reminder of what happens when democratic foundations become eroded by social division and political apathy.
[McDonough] expertly guides the reader through the complex and heady events that led to the rise of Nazi Germany. This is compelling history writ large but with a judicious eye for detail
Quite simply, a book that must be read
Best History Books of 2023: depicts, with a fine narrative touch, this era as one of decadence and cultural and social experiment
Observer Best Books for Christmas 2023
a sparkling if unsettling account of the years after the end of the first world war, which were marked by economic desperation and repeated false dawns before the terrible reality of Hitler’s ascent to power. (Peter Frankopan)
The book’s most fascinating section is its chronicle of the complex web of events that led to Hitler’s chancellorship.
PRAISE FOR FRANK McDONOUGH:

'A masterclass in the history of Nazi Germany, with an internationally renowned expert as the teacher' Get History.

'What makes this volume really stand out is its stylish design and more than 80 coloured photographs, punctuating the account of Hitler's slow but inevitable march to war' Military History.

'An impressive tome, beautifully presented with a body of illustrations... It is as readable as it is authoritative. Rarely has the odious story of the Third Reich been so elegantly presented' History Today.

'I have read many books on the period and Frank McDonough's ranks above them all. Bravo' Danny Baker.

'McDonough writes clearly and readably with just enough detail on the huge canvas that he covers'
All stars
Most relevant
I like very much when a historian does not attempt to tell history backward by lecturing the participants on what they "should" have been able to predict about the future. McDonough is refreshingly free from this tendency and does a 1st rate job of pulling the listener into the realities that were being dealt with at the time, and letting the events unfold without pre-judgement. There's a tendency in many history books to skip over the interwar years, or regard them with a certain inevitability, and this book does a creditable job of highlighting how many smart, well intentioned people worked very hard to try to avoid a repetition of the horror of the Great War in a situation where every solution threw up an additional problem .

The narrator is good too,

Excellent history of the period.

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But in chapter 8, you have a mistake the British government couldn’t have King George the sixth after the Lucano agreement ratification because King George the fifth was still in Power

Excellent book

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Too much detail of early politics and political parties who were irrelevant to events and developments.

Too much arithmetical detail in the early chapters made it difficult to focus on particular aspects of contemporary politics.

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A good introduction to this fascinating period of history. Paul McGann’s calm and thoughtful narration is spot on. Some narrators have a grating voice but he is lovely to listen to. Those who like a lot of detail on election results and the ins and outs of treaties will really enjoy this book. Personally I was hoping for more on the social and cultural aspects of the period - the sections on Bauhaus and Metropolis were highlights but would have liked more of this. A good book however and will listen to the next 2 if only for Paul’s wonderful narration of this eventful period in modern history.

Lots of detail and excellent narration

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A comprehensive narrative of the Weimar Republic covering the political upheaval and cultural aspects.Brilliantly narrated! Would fully recommend!

Fantastic prequel

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