The Last 100 Days
by John Toland
Publisher: Random House
Copyright: 1966
FIFTH PRINTING
The tumultuous and controversial story of the final days of World War II in Europe.
On January 27, 1945, the Russians were only 50 miles from Berlin, and powerful American and British forces were about to smash across the Rhine. Hitler, however, was convinced he could still win the war. "This time," he said, referring bitterly to Germany's "premature" surrender in 1918, "we must not give up at five minutes before midnight!"
But 100 days later, the Third Reich lay in ruins -- and former Allies had become antagonists. Perhaps no other three months in history have had greater significance. These crucial days saw not only the defeat of the Nazi and Fascist dictatorships but the beginning of a chain of dramatic events -- both great and small -- whose far-reaching consequences created the Cold War.
The climax of the war in Europe was filled with momentous happenings, which are re-created here in fascinating detail: a day-by-day revelation of the Yalta Conference; the controversial bombing of Dresden; the full story of the bold crossing of the bridge at Remagen -- against orders; the death of a million German civilians trying to flee the vengeful Red Army -- including the two greatest sea disasters in history: the incredible story of Himmler's clandestine attempts to save the Jews -- for his own political gain; Eisenhower's hotly debated decision not to take Berlin -- and why he made it; the secret, and finally successful, efforts of an SS general to surrender all German forces in Italy; the last-minute defense of Prague by an army of Russian prisoners; and how Vienna succumbed to the Red Army through the efforts of an Austrian major.
But John Toland is most concerned with the people who shaped these dramatic events. Within weeks of one another, three world leaders died: Hitler by his own hand, Mussolini murdered by his own countrymen, and Roosevelt by a stroke. Fascinating portraits of these men are highlighted by insights provided by those most intimately associated with them.
Here, too, are revealing stories about Generals Patton. Hodges, Simpson, Montgomery, Manteuffel, Heinrici and Guderian -- and how they fought -- as well as the personal exploits of vivid personalities like commando Otto Skorzeny and Hans-Ulrich Rudel, Hitler's two favorite fighters.
Toland's taut, vivid narrative ranges from Italy to Sweden, from Washington to the Balkans. It reaches a climax with the fall of Berlin and the tumultuous last days of Adolf Hitler and his fanatic followers: Martin Bormann, Himmler, Goebels, and Goring.
The Last 100 Days is an engrossing story of the vast panorama of war; but the focus is always on the human element -- people caught up in the final convulsions of an epic struggle.
Condition: Used. Hardcover. Dust cover is lightly discolored. Dust cover edges are curling. Back dust cover is ripped at the top and bottom near spine. Front dust cover flap has a clipped top corner and bent bottom corner. There's a store sticker on the back dust cover flap. Pages are tanning from age.
