Diplomatic and leadership history - not much else - Rated 
The book is a political history of the Third Reich; it's very light on legal, social, economic and military aspects. It could equally be titled as a biography of Adolf Hitler since almost all of the book revolves around this central person. Few other people are covered in as much depth as their importance would warrant - with exceptions of course. Franz Halder and some high placed plotters against Hitler are given good coverage.
It's very long but although it could benefit from further editing, it's very readable. Shirer has a flowing style and is not at all dry. It's certainly not an academic text. It's full of the author's opinions, many of them superfluous and fatuous (do we really need half a page to tell us the Nazi leaders didn't look like the conquerors of Europe while dressed in shabby clothes in the dock at Nuremburg?).
Shirer is scathing of just about everybody involved, even such people as Birger Dahlerus who did everything he possibly could to avoid a war despite his very limited means. Shirer seems to throw around words like stupid, naive, dim-witted and cowardly quite lightly considering he's often describing highly intelligent people who worked their way to the top of their societies and had to wrestle with difficult ethical and practical decisions (for example those who risked plunging their country into civil war and exposing it to foreign occupation by assassinating Hitler).
As a political history written for non specialist readers, it's fascinating, packed full of the well documented detail necessary to get a good understanding of how things happened and why.
Much of the analysis is unconvincing. Shirer subscribes to the theory is that Nazism was a more progression growing out of German culture and philosophy prior even to the First World War rather than a response to the difficulties faced by the German nation (such as the prospect of Communist revolution) during the Weimar period. As such, he brushes over such important influences as the starvation caused by the British naval blockade of the First World War - and the huge impact this had on the German psyche (not to mention military strategy).
Also notable is that the 1998 Arrow paperback copy is of poor printing and binding quality; many pages were misprinted due to being bent prior to printing; and many pages have fallen out despite gentle handling during the first reading.
In summary, although the book is hardly balanced and overly long it's a reasonable non specialist political and diplomatic history of the Third Reich.
Masterful, Epic, Incredible - Rated
This book is simply astounding. I do not believe a simple review on an internet site could really inform you of how good a purchase this will be.
No doubt; this is a real marathon of reading, but once you are through the 1100-or so pages, you will be very much "In the Know". The book is incredbly detailed and complex, giving an insight into the real inner-workings of the Nazi Party, the leaders as well as the English, the French, the Italians et al. I have not read a book quite so detailed and complex as this.
I do think however that this book falls down on critical analysis of the Third Reich. Shirer's account although faultless in its research and historical accuracy lacks the killer punch; the critical conclusions. The book is a narrative and nothing more on this crucial chapter of our collective History. Although Shirer does mention and argue against the Allied Policy of Appeasement etc, I think that his arguments are somewhat "Basic" when looked at in contrast to the depth of his research. The characters of his story are often stereotypcial; i.e. the Germans are usually spineless, cold, efficient and morally repugnant, with the French portrayed often as cowardly and apathetic etc etc. This rather grates on the reader somewhat. I think the most balanced character of them all is Hitler himself! Often portrayed as brilliant but megalomanical at the same time, usually he is the one character that is depicted for all he was.
If you want to know what happened during this period of history, then there are no better books, however, if you are looking for a critical analysis of this period, then I think you'll be disappointed with this book and will have to look elsewhere.
Due to its lack of Critical Analysis, this book cannot be described as a "Complete" history and rather suffers from personal attacks/thoughts rather than objective and critical analysis. Therefore, this gets four stars.
More exciting and compelling than fiction - Rated 
Undoubtedly the book against which all history books should be benchmarked. William Shirer draws you in to the rise of Hitler. Then you literally 'reap the whirlwind' as the drama unfolds. Unlike other books you don't feel patronised if you don't have prior knowledge of the events being depicted. The 'Grand Design' is mapped out for you and, like no doubt many before me, I was staggered by the events that came to pass. Very readable, visionary in scope and very well written. I couldn't put this book down. I was surprised because I've read quite a few 'war and political histories'. This title is in a class of it's own. There are other perspectives on the material covered and no doubt there are gaps but for an all encompassing insight into the Third Reich you cannot go wrong. Forget about Shakespeare, this should be compulsory reading.
Only biography of the Fuhrer you will need. - Rated 
I've reread this on several occasions which is the sign of a great book for me. Emminently readable despite the size - can even count as holiday reading. Not the most recent book on the subject but for me is the definitive one. Only wish there was a similar book on his nemesis Churchill (Roy Jenkins' tome is not it!)
masterly account - Rated
This book is the best selling history book of all time and it is easy to understand why. Journalist Shirer writes in a fashion which is very readable, bringing life to the period. The book remains controversial( Shirer was threatened with arrest if he returned to Germany after its publication)due to its take on the course of Geram history and its definition of Germans as "war-like people". Indeed, my only criticism lies in Shirer's overly-simplistc 'from Luther to Hitler' view of German history which befits the thinking of an undergraduate history student.
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