The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich Value Guide

Period
1962
Origin
United States
Materials
Paper, ink, adhesive

This 1962 Crest Book edition of William L. Shirer's The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich represents the first major mass-market paperback release of the National Book Award winner. It is highly collectible for its role in bringing Shirer's groundbreaking research, based on captured Nazi documents, to a broad American audience for an original $1.65 cover price.

What affects the value of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich?

  • Physical condition of the spine, as the thickness of this tome often leads to heavy creasing or adhesive failure.
  • Extent of foxing or yellowing on the mass-market grade paper used during the 1960s.
  • Completeness of the cover art, specifically looking for minimal edge wear, chipping, or fading.
  • Overall structural integrity, as the fragile binding of this era often results in loose or detached pages.

How to Identify The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich?

  • Look for the Crest Book logo and the original $1.65 price printed on the front cover.
  • Verify the 1962 printing date on the copyright page to ensure it is the early mass-market edition.
  • Confirm the presence of the complete, unabridged text across the massive page count.
  • Check for the specific yellow-toned spine and cover art typical of early 1960s Fawcett Crest publications.

History of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich

Published originally in 1960, this work by journalist William L. Shirer became a massive commercial success and won the National Book Award. Shirer based the text on captured Nazi documents and his own experiences as a war correspondent. This specific Crest Book paperback, priced at $1.65, was a popular unbridled edition that brought the massive tome to a wider general audience in the early 1960s.

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