5.0 out of 5 stars Great History Book, Easy To Follow Information

T.O.S. · 23 November 2024

I really enjoyed this book. I am not a student myself but I am very glad I picked it up!After leaving school, I found that many non-fiction books (history, science, geography, etc.) are quite academic and therefore not that easy to follow and engage. Perhaps I just did not pick the right ones for myself but I noticed that his book is so much better in that regard. The information is laid out clearly, it is well signposted and easy to follow. The language is not too complex which keeps me engaged much easier.The book is nicely illustrated as well, which is great for a history book.Overall, I am very pleased with this book, I learned a lot from it. It is interesting and engaging, easy to follow, and well-illustrated. 5/5 stars.

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid Resource but a Few Gaps

C.R. · 1 October 2024

I picked up this for my A Level History course, as it’s part of the official Oxford AQA series. I wanted something that could provide a thorough explanation of the key events, figures, and ideologies surrounding the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany, as these topics are crucial for the exam.The book offers a well-structured overview of this period, starting from the aftermath of World War I and going all the way through to the fall of Nazi Germany in 1945. The explanations of events like the Treaty of Versailles, the rise of Hitler, and the socio-political factors that allowed the Nazis to gain power are all clearly laid out. I found the visual aids, like timelines and graphs, really useful for reinforcing the material. The sources are another strength of the book, helping me to engage with different perspectives on key historical moments.That said, there are a few areas where the book falls short. The chapter summaries are sometimes too brief, leaving me feeling like I needed to do extra research to really grasp the finer details. While the book is thorough in covering major events, the analysis of certain ideological shifts, like the transition from democracy to dictatorship, could be more in-depth. It feels as though the focus is more on the factual retelling rather than helping you critically engage with the material, which is important for A Level exams.The questions at the end of each chapter are helpful for testing understanding, but I did find that some were a bit repetitive. It would have been great to see more variety in the types of questions, maybe with some more challenging essay prompts to push students to think more critically.Overall, it’s a solid textbook for anyone studying this period, but it could benefit from deeper analysis in certain areas. It's a good foundation, but don't rely solely on it for exam prep—using additional resources will really help to fill in the gaps.

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressed

L. · 5 October 2024

This textbook is for the AQA History AS and A level Component 2 - Democracy and Nazism: Germany 1918-1945. Split into two parts with Part 1 (for the AS and A Level) covering The Weimar Republic 1918-1933; and Part 2 (for the A-Level) covering Nazi Germany 1933-1945. The book includes a timeline at the beginning which covers the major events from 1918-1945.Worth taking the time to read the How to Use This Book page in the introduction, as this concisely explains the coloured highlighting/tabbing used throughout the book for learning objectives, activities, key terms, study tips etc.I think if you are studying the time period for AS/A-Level you will find this book an invaluable resource. The text is balanced and easy to follow, and the use throughout of wide margins to include key terms, activities, closer looks and cross referencing makes it a more interactive text. There is also occasional space in those margins where you can add your own notes if there's something you particularly want to highlight.I think even if you are not studying the course but just have an interest in the time period or the study of history, this would be a book worth reading and it is not a passive reading experience which should aid in the recall of the material.Overall - very impressed.

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive and thought provoking

C. · 22 September 2024

I have over 2,000 history books at home and probably 350 or so are about the Second World War and the events leading up to it, so I was interested to see how this was covered by our curriculum and this study book. Based on this, very well.Even if you know your stuff about this period (and my father grew up under the Weimar Republic and then the Nazis) there are tons of fascinating little bits which tell you things you didn't know or had forgotten, and the whole is put together in a manner which is both pleasant to read (you don't need to be studying for this to hold true) but also thought provoking as it tasks you with considering what you are reading and how you would use this to argue facts and theories in your exams.There's no preaching or ranting, just balanced consideration of the events and the main players in them.All in all a very good book; if you've been paying attention in class it will help focus and jog your memory, and if you haven't then it should cover all of the bases in time for you to sit your exams.Recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars A good textbook; sparse but useful illustrations.

L. · 3 October 2024

This is intended as a textbook for an academic course, obviously, and although I'm not involved with that course I still found it a useful and interesting read. The years in question are labrynthine and contexually contentious so an accurate focus is always in question but this seems neutral and based on my knowledge (for whatever that's worth) accurate. I imagine that it's very effective as a study aid. Good!

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 Stars of Fascination!

T. · 11 October 2024

I'm not studying for any exams, but I picked up Democracy and Nazism: Germany 1918-1945 purely out of curiosity—and wow, am I glad I did! It's laid out in such a clear, engaging way that even a history novice like me found it easy to follow. The blend of critical ideas like nationalism and Social Darwinism is well done, making a complex era feel approachable. Plus, the practice questions and tips are a nice touch if you're the type who likes to test your newfound knowledge (no pressure, though!). Overall, it is a fascinating read that doesn't feel like a textbook slog.