Twelve years. That is all the Third Reich lasted, but despite being relatively short lived, the reverberations of the cruel oppression, the blatant abuse of power, the manipulation of a generation, the earth shattering war and the evil genocide can be still be felt today in the twenty-first century. How did a seemingly anonymous Austrian-born army corporal who, apart from winning the Iron Cross First Class during the First World War, hadn't really achieved anything of note with his life, end up not just gaining the top seat in Germany, but was able to exert such control over his subjects that they would willingly follow him anywhere, even to the brink of self-destruction? As with other 'Layman Guides' this one covering The Third Reich has been written specifically for people who have little of no knowledge of the subject and it will act as an ideal introduction to a subject which can be quite daunting to some readers. The style of writing is more like an informal chat over a cup of tea/coffee rather than a heavy historical text and the story flows naturally, albeit without mountains of detail. The chapters are purposefully short and sharp - perfect for dipping in and out of when ever the fancy takes you. For anyone looking for an entertaining and informative overview of the Third Reich, this Layman's Guide provides just enough detail to gain a good grounding of knowledge and understanding , without the reader becoming overwhelmed in detail and complexity.