The Start: 1904-30

Shirer's writings on his time in Nazi Germany are very interesting. This book, part of his three volume autobiography, covers an earlier period in his life. There are some interesting moments – mostly surrounding his time as a young reporter in Paris in the 1920s – but much of the book is an informal history about various subjects with only a slight connection to his life. Many of the best anecdotes here appear in other books of his. What makes his Nazi Germany writings so unique is his personal experience with many of the subjects. This book did not meet that standard. He would've been better off cutting half the book and not trying to create a three volume set.