The Last 100 Days: The Tumultuous and Controversial Story of the Final Days of World War II in Europe (Modern Library War)

A dramatic countdown of the final months of World War II in Europe, __The Last 100 Days__ brings to life the waning power and the ultimate submission of the Third Reich. To reconstruct the tumultuous hundred days between Yalta and the fall of Berlin, John Toland traveled more than 100,000 miles in twenty-one countries and interviewed more than six hundred people—from Hitler’s personal chauffeur to Generals von Manteuffel, Wenck, and Heinrici; from underground leaders to diplomats; from top Allied field commanders to brave young GIs. Toland adeptly weaves together these interviews using research from thousands of primary sources. When it was first published, __The Last 100 Days__ made history, revealing after-action reports, staff journals, and top-secret messages and personal documents previously unavailable to historians. Since that time, it has come to be regarded as one of the greatest historical narratives of the twentieth century.

A dramatic countdown of the final months of World War II in Europe, The Last 100 Days brings to life the waning power and the ultimate submission of the Third Reich. To reconstruct the tumultuous hundred days between Yalta and the fall of Berlin, John Toland traveled more than 100,000 miles in twenty-one countries and interviewed more than six hundred people—from Hitler’s personal chauffeur to Generals von Manteuffel, Wenck, and Heinrici; from underground leaders to diplomats; from top Allied field commanders to brave young GIs. Toland adeptly weaves together these interviews using research from thousands of primary sources.

When it was first published, The Last 100 Days made history, revealing after-action reports, staff journals, and top-secret messages and personal documents previously unavailable to historians. Since that time, it has come to be regarded as one of the greatest historical narratives of the twentieth century.

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. - Jacket flap. "A dramatic countdown of the final months of World War II in Europe, The Last 100 Days brings to life the waning power and the ultimate submission of the Third Reich. To reconstruct the tumultuous hundred days between Yalta and the fall of Berlin, John Toland traveled more than 100,000 miles in twenty-one countries and interviewed more than six hundred people - from Hitler's personal chauffeur to Generals von Manteuffel, Wenck, and Heinrici; from underground leaders to diplomats; from top Allied field commanders to brave young GIs. Toland adeptly weaves together these interviews using research from thousands of primary sources."--Jacket