The Last 100 Days [VINTAGE 1966] [FIRST EDITION, FIRST PRINTING]

Toland, John

Published by Random House, New York, 1966

Fine unread condition dark blue cloth boards, black front cover numbers, gold, black and red spine lettering contained in a fine condition non price-clipped photographic dust jacket. Includes List of Other Books by John Toland; Author Dedication; Author's Note; Acknowledgments; Notes; Index and About the Author. Illustrated with a section of black-and-white photographic plates and color map illustrated front and rear endpapers. "The most important book yet written about World War II" - Look Magazine. "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. The climax of the war in Europe was filled with momentous happenings, which are re-created here in fascinating detail: a day-by-day revelation of the Yalta Conference; the controversial bombing of Dresden; the full story of the bold crossing of the bridge at Remagen - against orders; the death of a million German civilians trying to flee the vengeful Red Army - including the two greatest sea disasters in history; the incredible story of Himmler's clandestine attempts to save the Jews - for his own political gain; Eisenhower's hotly debated decision not to take Berlin - and why he made it; the secret, and finally successful, efforts of an SS general to surrender all German forces in Italy; the last minute defense of Prague by an army of Russian prisoners; and how Vienna succumbed to the Red Army through the efforts of an Austrian major. But John Toland is most concerned with the people who shaped these dramatic events. Within weeks of one another, three world leaders died: Hitler by his own hand, Mussolini murdered by his own countrymen, and Roosevelt by a stroke. Fascinating portraits of these men are highlighted by insights provided by those most intimately associated with them. Here, too, are revealing stories about Generals Patton, Hodges, Simpson, Montgomery, Manteuffel, Heinrici and Guderian - and how they fought - as well as the personal exploits of vivid personalities like commando Otto Skorzeny and Hans-Ulrich Rudel, Hitler's two favorite fighters. Toland's taut, vivid narrative ranges from Italy to Sweden, from Washington to the Balkans. It reaches a climax with the fall of Berlin and the tumultuous last days of Adolf Hitler and his fanatic followers: Martin Bormann, Himmler, Goebbels and Goring. The Last 100 Days is an engrossing story of the vast panorama of war; but the focus is always on the human element - people caught up in the final convulsions of an epic struggle." - from the inner front and rear jacket flaps. Seller Inventory # 008195

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Last 100 Days [VINTAGE 1966] [FIRST ...
Publisher: Random House, New York
Publication Date: 1966
Binding: Hardcover
Illustrator: Adelson & Eichinger (jacket design)
Condition: Fine
Dust Jacket Condition: Fine
Edition: 1st Edition