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Title: The End of the War; Europe: April 15-May 23, 1945. by Charles, Whiting ISBN: 0-8128-1605-6 Publisher: Natl Book Network Pub. Date: 01 December, 1973 Format: Hardcover List Price(USD): $25.00

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Average Customer Rating: 4 (1 review)

Rating: 4
Summary: Great Work On The Fall Of The Third Reich
Comment: Although a short book of less than two-hundred pages, Whiting did an excellent job chronicling the last two months of World War II. Whiting began his history with allied forces making their final advance on Berlin. It seems like the advance was accompanied by moments of peace and safety, coupled with moments of extreme and fanatical combat. The Germans were facing two massive armies, the Soviets in the East, and the British and American forces in the West. With no where to go, the Germans either attempted to surrender to the more hospitable Americans and British, or fought to the death against the Soviets.

I found the fall of Nazi Germany, and the subsequent power struggles that developed in order to gain control of the destroyed state most fascinating. Upon the death of Hitler, Grand Admiral Doenitz assumed command of the Reich. However, other top Nazi officials still wanted to maintain a certain level of pull with the new leader. It seems that Whiting views Doenitz as a man more concerned with salvaging what was left of the Germany state rather than securing his own power. Unfortunately, Eisenhower saw only one way to halt the allied assault, unconditional surrender. Doenitz had no choice but to comply.

Aside from chronicling the battles for Northern Europe and Berlin, Whiting did a most impressive job discussing the geopolitical ramifications that followed the fall of Berlin. For example, Churchill desperately wanted American forces to push as far East as possible in order to stem the Soviet land grab. Eisenhower finally consented that the Soviets did prove a vast threat to the European continent, but by that time the Soviets had developed a strong foothold in Eastern Europe. Whiting also discussed the death of Franklin Roosevelt and the effect his death had on the Japanese theatre. It seems that it is Whiting's contention that Truman's use of the atomic weapon was less about destroying the morale of the Japanese, and more about creating a fear in the Soviet Union.

Whiting's book is an excellent book, filled with insight and food for thought. It is a shame that his work has been out of print from so long, but it would still be a wonderful piece for any World War II library.