The Weimar Years Audiobook By Frank McDonough cover art

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
A SPECTATOR BOOK OF THE YEAR
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.©2023 Frank McDonough (P)2023 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. 20th Century Europe Germany Military Modern Wars & Conflicts World War II War Socialism Liberalism Imperialism Winston Churchill Soviet Union Government Law Capitalism Interwar Period
All stars
Most relevant  
Mostly about the many political parties with similar names, some about the culture and economics.

Great subject, too many confusing political party names

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This is a very detailed, systematic study of the Weimar Era. I really enjoyed the fact that it was divided by years instead of themes.
I wish I could give it a sixth star for its analysis of my favorite movie (Metropolis).
As an added bonus, Paul McGann’s narration is superb. His pronunciation of the various German words and phrases is flawless and unfaltering. Often when narrators come to foreign text in a book, they pause briefly or seem to stumble; not so with Paul McGann.
I definitely recommend The Weimar Years to anyone interested in either the time period or history in general.

An excellent history of the time period

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Well narrated, compelling thesis, definitely a great guide to the political history of the Weimar republic

Wonderful narrative, underpinned by a good range of primary and secondary sources, as well as electoral data.

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Author explains the Weimar republic very well, with detailed history of every year, significant personalities and elections. The author never gives too many names, like some history book authors do, to the point it being impossible to recall any, but gives just enough so that you know all important people and organizations by the time you finish the book. The narrator's voice is clear and pleasant to listen to. Overall, a very good account of this significant period of German history.

Amazing listen

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This guy as an author is goated. I have all three Weimar and hitler years , super in depth coverage. Easily one of my favorite series. You can listen to anything narrated by Paul mcgann

Depth

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I have been looking for more information about the nature of the Weimar government than I had been getting from what I had seen and read about the rise of the Nazis. This book does a good job in explaining how the leaders of the Weimar Republic did and did not function and thus took themselves down the path of fostering the ability of Hitler and the Nazi party to attract voters so that Hitler could demand to be made chancellor and they ultimately handed him the power he sought that allowed him to lead Germany and the world into the horrors of a totalitarian dictatorship and a Second World War.

A good picture of the Weimar government

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For those who are interested in the events between the Great War and the rise of the Nazi Regime, this is the most definitive audiobook to listen to. Its narration is clear and soothing, and it gives an accurate and engaging description and explanation for the events that preceded the rise and fall of the short lived experiment of German democracy.

An in depth account and post mortem of the Weimar Republic

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Changed a lot of preconceptions I had about Weimar. A little light on cultural matters, but the detail and analysis of the constantly changing political environment well outweighs that minor quibble.

Excellent overview

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A superb book with chilling parallels to contemporary history in terms of threats to democracy.

I learned a ton

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When a book goes out of its way to lambast the Third Reich you know it is propaganda. It reads like it was written by a far leftist. Just give the facts without spewing your morality.

Propaganda

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