The Nightmare Years.
The Nightmare Years, a four part serie about the life of William L. Shirer in Berlin under the Nazi-regime of Adolf Hitler.
Sam Waterston gives one of his greatest performances as William Shirer in this magnificent mini series. The rise of the third reich is seen through the eyes of foreign journos based in pre war Germany, the pressures that they work under and the threats they face if they fail to toe the line form the basis for a work that is essential viewing for everyone. Waterston is brilliant and is ably assisted by Marthe Keller, Kurtwood Smith, Ronald Pickup and a host of guest cameos. John Steiner should be singled out for his stunning turn in episode one, as a Lutheran priest hunted by the nazis.
From Publishers Weekly: Shirer, who has witnessed much history in the making, rehashes too much of it in this graceless, humorless third and final installment of memoirs. More interesting is the personal material. His career as a radio commentator ended when CBS fired him in 1947, and he reveals the dark role played by Edward R. Murrow. His account of the affair begins, "I've waited a long time to do this." Shirer describes the struggle to support his family during the McCarthy years, then his dramatic success as a bestselling author with the 1960 publication of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich . But his memoir also becomes an occasion to get back at publishers and reviewers who were not enthusiastic over his books; at length he recalls frustrating conferences with Alfred Knopf and others, reprints negative reviews and quibbles over them. He also takes the opportunity to defend his work against the disdain of historians who, he maintains, cannot accept his popularity. Photos. Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal: When it comes to writing history, Shirer extols the values of first-hand observation. Personal impressions and anecdotes have enlivened his books and accounted in part for their popularity. Thus the chronicler of the Third Reich ( The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, LJ 8/15/60) and the Third French Republic ( The Collapse of the Third Republic, LJ 10/15/69) approached the writing of his memoirs: "I hoped to make it not so much a memoir of myself, but of the times I had lived through," he writes. This third volume covering the Cold War years brings his journey to the present. Highlights include his unhappy separation from CBS in 1947 and the ordeal of Americans in the McCarthy era. Shirer also fills in background on his best-selling books. Shirer's relative isolation from historical events during this period lessens the value of this volume, but his reflections in the preface and introduction help to balance the commonplace observations. Sure to be in demand in public libraries. BOMC alternate.
- William C. McCully Jr., Park Ridge P.L., Ill. Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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H.V. Anderz.
Zie ook: William L. Shirer.
Last updated on 20 november 2010.
Zie ook: Beeldverhaal Anderz, Boeken Anderz, Geschiedenis Anderz, Astronomie Anderz, Personen Anderz, Muziek Anderz en Sport Anderz, Voetbal Anderz.