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Last 100 Days

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Last 100 Days
John Toland’s book, The Last 100 Days, portrays the final occurrences of World War II in Europe in a way no high school textbook has ever been able to do. Unfortunately, there have been those whom I have encountered that have reduced The Last 100 Days to having the same dulling effects as one. However, upon reading it, my own opinions and conclusions were made. These will be covered more deeply upon first describing the author and then summarizing what I thought to be the major happenings of the book. Firstly, John Toland’s book seems to be a pure representation of fact based on diligent research. The personal opinions of the author are not present while reading the book, leaving it completely objective. This shows how Toland’s purpose …show more content…
Losing ground, Hitler launches a failed last offensive at the Battle of the Bulge, and continues to fall with the Russians taking Vienna, Lepzig being taken, and other losses.
American president Franklin Delano Roosevelt passes away towards the final days the war in Europe, and is replaced by Harry Truman. Hitler begins to mentally collapse, and makes poor decisions for Germany. The commanders of Hitler’s army start to disobey Hitler’s orders as they realize the error of his decisions. Hitler realizes his inevitable defeat and humiliation and commits suicide prior to the Russians taking Berlin, Germany’s capital. What’s left of Hitler’s command surrendered and the Allies claimed victory on May 7, 1945.
After reading about the final days the war in Europe from a different perspective, I’m left to decide what it meant to me. Many things I had no idea about came to the surface for me, so it was most definitely learning experience. The Last 100 Days helped to me to see things that happened in the war in a different way. It wasn’t the usual great men of valor triumphing over the evil Germans. That was probably my most favorite part of the book. I think that Toland did a nice job of bringing unknown facts and perspectives to light. In conclusion, reading The Last 100 Days was a stimulating and enlightening

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