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A Village in the Third Reich

How Ordinary Lives Were Transformed by the Rise of Fascism

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A Village in the Third Reich

By: Julia Boyd, Angelika Patel
Narrated by: Julie Teal
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About this listen

 New from the author of Travellers in the Third Reich – the Sunday Times Top Three bestseller and Waterstones Book of the Month: a stunningly evocative portrait of Hitler’s Germany through the people of a single village.

Oberstdorf is a beautiful village high up in the Bavarian Alps, a place where for hundreds of years ordinary people lived simple lives while history was made elsewhere. Yet even here, in the farthest corner of Germany, National Socialism sought to control not only people’s lives but also their minds.

Drawing on archive material, letters, interviews and memoirs, A Village in the Third Reich is an extraordinarily intimate portrait of Germany under

Hitler, of the descent into totalitarianism and of the tragedies that befell all of those touched by Nazism. In its pages we meet the Jews who survived – and those who didn’t; the Nazi mayor who tried to shield those persecuted by the regime; and a blind boy whose life was thought ‘not worth living’.

It is a tale of conflicting loyalties and desires, of shattered dreams, despair and destruction – but one in which, ultimately, human resilience triumphs.

These are the stories of ordinary lives at the crossroads of history.

Praise for Travellers in the Third Reich:

‘Compelling’ Daily Telegraph

‘Thought-provoking reading’ Literary Review

‘Fascinating’ Spectator

‘Absorbing and stimulating’ Mail on Sunday 20th Century Europe Judaism Modern Politics & Government United States World Military War Inspiring Thought-Provoking Holocaust Imperialism Village
All stars
Most relevant
A very enjoyable audio

Very well written and narrated

Definitely I d recommend it

It’s a difficult complex subject brought to life in a very easy to listen to manner

Excellent

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This was a brilliant insight into the way NAZI ideology initially crept into German society and steadily took over until it was too powerful to stop.

I found myself really invested in the fate of the villagers especially the ones who resisted the regime either overtly or covertly. Compelling to listen to and written and read extremely well.

A Cautionary Tale

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Even better than Travellers in the Third Reich. Beautifully written and expertly narrated, this book is a real eye-opener. Illuminating and at times deeply disturbing, the creeping sense of dread and growing horror will stay with me. This book has made me think deeply about the German experience of the Second World War; it has made me re-examine many of my preconceived ideas and beliefs. Subtle, nuanced, and absolutely gripping, it comes highly recommended.

Astounding, illuminating, heartbreaking

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Having visited the area and on holiday there, it's amazing what went on and attitudes so recently, a lot of work no doubt compiling and research to tell the story.

Changes in lives

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Interesting and at times upsetting. Nonetheless a fascinating and enlightening piece of factual history. I must read a hard copy as it is easy to lose track of the different families and main players.

Insightful analysis of a dreadful period of German history

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