I’ve been reading The Road Back by Erich Maria Remarque and watching Babylon Berlin on Netflix. I’ve become really interested in post WWI Germany and the rise of fascism that led to WWII. I’d love to read some nonfiction that could give me a comprehensive look at that period. I’m sorry if this is the wrong sub for this, but would anyone be able to give some recommendations for books/resources about this time? Whenever I try to choose nonfiction/history books I get this anxiety that I’m choosing a bad book or one that’s not completely accurate or impartial. At the same time I would like texts that give a bit of interpretation and not just bare facts and dates.
I’d be fine reading several books with some advice about how to take each authors biases into account. Thanks I’m advance!
I know it's been a month but just in case you're still looking! (Disclaimer: not an expert)
TL;DR (No particular order)
1 - I like Fulbrook's text because it is super comprehensive. It has a bit of a focus on social history. Weimar and the rise of national socialism are discussed primarily in the first 5 chapters. In the 1st chapter, Fulbrook also discusses the history of German historiography, which I think adds essential context to the discussion. As for bias, I'm not sure if I am equipped to assess it for this author.
2 - (Ok the cover might be a little intimidating, but) Kohut's text contains interviews of Germans who personally experienced the dawn of national socialism, combined with the authors analyses of the different German generations. Interviews aren't perfect as they may not represent the general experience of all Germans. The author also notes that interviewees may not have felt fully comfortable discussing their connections to national socialism. However, interviews give much more concrete experience that might be hard to find elsewhere.
Edit: weird numbering format (or I just need to get good with md or html or w/e reddit uses)