Thanks Ruben, I really appreciate it! (Not sure how many of my regular viewers will be in for this long discussion, but I was hoping at least for some of the history enthusiasts out there this will be a good one, so thanks for commenting 😃). I saw you mentioned this one in one of your recent videos about books you've been reading lately -- wasn't sure if you'd finished it yet. I enjoyed your discussion there of how the author is clearly biased, but if recognized and kept in mind, this is something that makes the book uniquely valuable.
Thanks for such a valuable review! The book has been on my radar, though the length is, as you pointed out, quite intimidating. It was a really nice touch to introduce a different style when describing the realpolitik position(s). Both funny and helpful! I am surprised by the author’s attitude on Mussolini and his views regarding the Germany’s history and Luther.
That's true, they have some differences. Do you think something important is missed from listening as opposed to reading? In my experience I view them as pretty similar in what I get out of them, and in certain cases I even get more out of listening.
@@mikegseclecticreads IMO the written word conjures more precise mental images than listening. It is also possible while listenening for the mind to wander and other thoughts to enter the mind. Whilst distracted by "other thoughts" a listener misses parts of what is being listened to, this doesn't happen when one reads as one returns easily to the point at which the distraction began. I can't imagine listeners using the rewind function as much.
@@maitaimik Yeah I think you're right there. I do use the "skip back 15 seconds" or the pause functions pretty often but even so, I'm know I still miss things I would have been more likely to see if reading straight from the text. For me this is often OK depending on the book, but I agree it's less precise. What I sometimes like about listening is that, if I am paying close attention, the narration keeps the momentum going whereas personally I often find myself absent-mindedly reading the same section over and over again in written text, without absorbing it. On the other hand, especially for certain literary books, I sometimes prefer to read in text since I think some of that textual precision is better appreciated that way.
I bought the audiobook from audible and had a bad experience. Non fiction books, especially STEM and history books, aren't the best audiobook candidates. I had to pause a lot and it inconvenienced me so much that I've decided to pick the actual book.
@@neon_trotsky Personally I think it is the definitive work on WW2 from the German perspective. I like the audio book too and regularly listen to it as it is so easy to fall asleep to, no slight intended. The reader, although American has wonderful pacing and enunciation. To be fair, I wasn't being critical of @mikegseclecticreads - I enjoyed his vlog, but for better absorbtion of the material, I feel reading the book was best for me.
This was an excellent podcast. Your commentary is always intelligent and perceptive, and this particular review was enormously rewarding.
I also recently finished The Rise and Fall (about a month ago). I'm about halfway through your video. Already, this is a phenomenal review!
Thanks Ruben, I really appreciate it! (Not sure how many of my regular viewers will be in for this long discussion, but I was hoping at least for some of the history enthusiasts out there this will be a good one, so thanks for commenting 😃). I saw you mentioned this one in one of your recent videos about books you've been reading lately -- wasn't sure if you'd finished it yet. I enjoyed your discussion there of how the author is clearly biased, but if recognized and kept in mind, this is something that makes the book uniquely valuable.
I was way too young when read this book. It gave me nightmares for years
Thanks for such a valuable review! The book has been on my radar, though the length is, as you pointed out, quite intimidating. It was a really nice touch to introduce a different style when describing the realpolitik position(s). Both funny and helpful! I am surprised by the author’s attitude on Mussolini and his views regarding the Germany’s history and Luther.
hi
Listen to does not equate to reading !
That's true, they have some differences. Do you think something important is missed from listening as opposed to reading? In my experience I view them as pretty similar in what I get out of them, and in certain cases I even get more out of listening.
@@mikegseclecticreads IMO the written word conjures more precise mental images than listening. It is also possible while listenening for the mind to wander and other thoughts to enter the mind. Whilst distracted by "other thoughts" a listener misses parts of what is being listened to, this doesn't happen when one reads as one returns easily to the point at which the distraction began. I can't imagine listeners using the rewind function as much.
@@maitaimik Yeah I think you're right there. I do use the "skip back 15 seconds" or the pause functions pretty often but even so, I'm know I still miss things I would have been more likely to see if reading straight from the text. For me this is often OK depending on the book, but I agree it's less precise. What I sometimes like about listening is that, if I am paying close attention, the narration keeps the momentum going whereas personally I often find myself absent-mindedly reading the same section over and over again in written text, without absorbing it. On the other hand, especially for certain literary books, I sometimes prefer to read in text since I think some of that textual precision is better appreciated that way.
I bought the audiobook from audible and had a bad experience. Non fiction books, especially STEM and history books, aren't the best audiobook candidates. I had to pause a lot and it inconvenienced me so much that I've decided to pick the actual book.
@@neon_trotsky Personally I think it is the definitive work on WW2 from the German perspective. I like the audio book too and regularly listen to it as it is so easy to fall asleep to, no slight intended. The reader, although American has wonderful pacing and enunciation. To be fair, I wasn't being critical of @mikegseclecticreads - I enjoyed his vlog, but for better absorbtion of the material, I feel reading the book was best for me.
This is on my 2025 reading list. Thank you for such a great review!
Isn’t Putin following in Hitler’s footsteps? Wonderful review.