LOW FLAT RATE AUST-WIDE $9.90 DELIVERY INFO

Close Notification

Your cart does not contain any items

The Weimar Years

Rise and Fall 1918–1933

Frank McDonough

Double Rewards
$24.99

Paperback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

QTY:

English
Head of Zeus
04 February 2025
Double Reward Points
Earn $10 Reward Vouchers

The prequel to Frank McDonough's bestselling Hitler Years series, covering the dramatic period of German history that led to the rise of Hitler in 1933.

Established in the wake of Germany's catastrophic defeat in the First World War, the Weimar Republic ushered in widespread social reform, vibrant culture and the most democratic conditions the German people had ever lived under. At its beginning in 1919, it was a regime that held hope for democracy, stability and prosperity in Germany. But it was also beset by economic upheaval and political violence on the left and the right. Ultimately, it led to the appointment of Adolf Hitler as Chancellor, who created a one-party dictatorship that abandoned the rule of law, democracy and civil rights. In Gustav Stresemann's words, Weimar democracy was 'dancing on a volcano'.

The Weimar Years is a vivid and compelling history of the period 1918–1933. Year by year, Professor Frank McDonough covers the major personalities, events in foreign policy and the music, art, theatre and literature that flourished during this era. McDonough also places particular focus on the unknown 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, resulting in Hitler's appointment in January 1933.

The Weimar Years is a story of rise and fall, as well as a warning sign of how, under poor leadership, economic pressure and unrelenting political instability, a democracy can drift towards a form of authoritarian rule that eventually destroys it.
By:  
Imprint:   Head of Zeus
Country of Publication:   United Kingdom
Dimensions:   Height: 198mm,  Width: 129mm, 
ISBN:   9781803284798
ISBN 10:   180328479X
Pages:   576
Publication Date:  
Audience:   General/trade ,  ELT Advanced
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active

Professor Frank McDonough is an internationally renowned expert on the Third Reich. He studied history at Balliol College, Oxford and gained a PhD from Lancaster University. Now based in Liverpool, McDonough has written many critically acclaimed books, including The Gestapo, Sophie Scholl and most recently The Hitler Years, a two-volume history charting the rise and fall of the Nazi regime.

Reviews for The Weimar Years: Rise and Fall 1918–1933

Astonishing. A masterful account of the Weimar Republic that is the best I have ever read – and one that is destined to be a classic. An extraordinary achievement. * Peter Frankopan * Magisterial, terrifyingly relevant and yet also a celebration of Weimar's delicious decadence: Frank McDonough's new Weimar Years, the latest in his outstanding series on Nazi rule and how it happened, combines scholarly research, narrative brio and lucid analysis in a work that enjoys the creativity and libertinism of Weimar - while chronicling its flaws and its rising darkness. * Simon Sebag Montefiore * Yet again McDonough shows why he is one of the best chroniclers of 20th century Germany. This excellent book completes the set. Alongside his other volumes he now tells the whole story of Germany from one World War defeat to another. A giant achievement. * Dan Snow * Frank McDonough has done it again. This authoritative guide to the fractured Weimar Republic is both well-considered and immensely readable. Superb. * Clare Mulley, author of The Women Who Flew For Hitler * Written with an easy style which belies its author’s erudition, The Weimar Years is a masterpiece of narrative history - and a poignant lesson in how democracy can fail. * Roger Moorhouse * [A] brilliant new book... shows with terrifying clarity that everything in global politics connects * Daily Mail * [A] timely book, delivering a stark reminder of what happens when democratic foundations become eroded by social division and political apathy. * The Spectator * [McDonough] expertly guides the reader through the complex and heady events that led to the rise of Nazi Germany. This is compelling history writ large but with a judicious eye for detail * History of War magazine * Quite simply, a book that must be read * Get History * Best History Books of 2023: depicts, with a fine narrative touch, this era as one of decadence and cultural and social experiment * Daily Telegraph * Observer Best Books for Christmas 2023 * The Observer * a sparkling if unsettling account of the years after the end of the first world war, which were marked by economic desperation and repeated false dawns before the terrible reality of Hitler’s ascent to power. -- Peter Frankopan * The Guardian online * PRAISE FOR FRANK McDONOUGH: 'A masterclass in the history of Nazi Germany, with an internationally renowned expert as the teacher' Get History. 'What makes this volume really stand out is its stylish design and more than 80 coloured photographs, punctuating the account of Hitler's slow but inevitable march to war' Military History. 'An impressive tome, beautifully presented with a body of illustrations... It is as readable as it is authoritative. Rarely has the odious story of the Third Reich been so elegantly presented' History Today. 'I have read many books on the period and Frank McDonough's ranks above them all. Bravo' Danny Baker. 'McDonough writes clearly and readably with just enough detail on the huge canvas that he covers' * Spectator *


See Also