1939, Frederick Taylor
1939, Frederick Taylor
2 Rating(s)
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1939
A People's History of the Coming of the Second World War

Author: Frederick Taylor

Narrator: Chris MacDonnell

Unabridged: 14 hr 45 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/26/2020

Synopsis

A bestselling historian's chronicle of the dramatic months from the Munich Agreement to Hitler's invasion of Poland and the beginning of World War II.

In the autumn of 1938, Europe believed in the promise of peace. But only a year later, the fateful decisions of just a few men had again led Europe to a massive world war. Drawing on contemporary diaries, memoirs, and newspapers, as well as recorded interviews, 1939 is a narrative account of what the coming of the Second World War felt like to those who lived through it.

Frederick Taylor, author of renowned histories of the Berlin Wall and the bombing of Dresden, highlights the day-to-day experiences of ordinary citizens as well as those who were at the height of power in Germany and Britain. Their voices lend an intimate flavor to this often-surprising account of the period and reveal a marked disconnect between government and people, for few people in either country wanted war.

1939 is a vivid and richly peopled narrative of Europe's slide into the horrors of war and a powerful warning for our own time.

About Frederick Taylor

Frederick Taylor is the author of 1939, Dresden, The Berlin Wall, and other works of history, and he edited and translated The Goebbels Diaries, 1939-41. He lives in Cornwall, England.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Boudewijn on March 24, 2021

Frederick Taylor - who I knew from his excellent book about the Berlin Wall - is back with personal accounts from those people who lived during 1939, one of the most critical years of the 20th century. With hindsight, it might perhaps be difficult to understand how people could walk on the road to wa......more

Goodreads review by Ddoddmccue on October 31, 2020

What a page turner! And how relevant a read in 2020 as an American! Frederick Taylor offers a compelling and fast moving account of British and German public exposures that preceded WW2 , focusing on a 12 month period between fall 1938-1939. The level of analysis is the individual citizen, with a col......more

Goodreads review by Rick on January 28, 2020

Interesting book esp. the views of people who really didn't want war. With the break-up of Europe it seems we haven't learned much since the 1930s. Thanks for reminding us, Mr. Taylor!......more

Goodreads review by Grant on December 18, 2021

1939: A People’s History of the Coming of the Second World War is a fine read for history buffs and those interested in WWII in general. Taylor digs into the archives and uses several primary sources to put you in the shoes of those who lived in Europe on the eve of the world’s deadliest and costlie......more

Goodreads review by Dwight on February 21, 2021

Generally I had a positive impression of the book. People's history styled books are always very selective about who's point of view is included. It fascinated my how Hitler managed the message that propelled the war machine forward and how the English message (and corresponding public opinion) drif......more

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