Eight Days in May

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The final week of the Third Reich's existence began on May 1, 1945, with the world unaware of the impending collapse. Hitler was dead, yet the war continued, leaving Germany in a state of uncertainty and despair. Volker Ullrich's compelling narrative immerses readers in this tumultuous period, where hope and terror coexist. With Admiral Doenitz as the new Fuhrer, based in the small Baltic town of Flensburg, the nation grappled with the aftermath of devastation. Berlin lay in ruins, and the end of hostilities was shrouded in confusion. Major Nazi figures remained at large, and rumors of a last stand in the Alps circulated, alongside tensions between the Western allies and the Soviet Union. Across Europe, millions—soldiers, prisoners, and displaced families—awaited the war's conclusion, caught in a limbo described as 'the gap between no longer and not yet.' Ullrich’s account is a fast-paced exploration of these chaotic final days, capturing the energy and complexity of a nation on the brink of transformation. It offers a vivid portrayal of the human experience during one of history’s darkest moments, making it a gripping read for those interested in this pivotal time.