Hitler: Downfall: 1939-1945 by Ullrich, Volker

Knopf. New. Knopf, 2020 New VOLKER ULLRICH is a historian and journalist whose previous books in German include biographies of Bismarck and Napoleon, as well as a major study of Imperial Germany, Die nervöse Grossmacht 1871-1918 (The Nervous Empire) From 1990 to 2009, Ullrich was the editor of the political book review section of the influential weekly newspaper Die Zeit He lives in Germany

From the author of Hitler: Ascent, 1889-1939--a riveting account of the dictator's final years, when he got the war he wanted but his leadership led to catastrophe for his nation, the world, and himself

In the summer of 1939 Hitler was at the zenith of his power The Nazis had consolidated political control in Germany and a series of foreign-policy coups had restored Germany to the status of a major world power He now embarked on realizing his lifelong ambition: to provide the German people with the resources they needed to flourish and to exterminate those who stood in the way Yet despite a series of stunning initial triumphs, Hitler's decision to invade the Soviet Union in 1941 turned the tide for good

Now, Volker Ullrich offers fascinating new insight into Hitler's character and personality, vividly portraying the insecurity, obsession with minutiae, and narcissistic penchant for gambling that led Hitler to overrule his subordinates and then blame them for his failures; and, ultimately, when he realized the war was not winnable, to embark on the annihilation of Germany itself in order to punish the people who he believed had failed to hand him victory

This is a masterful account of a spectacular downfall, and an essential addition to our understanding of Hitler and the Second World War