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I have always been interested in the wars and have read many historical accounts of events on the front line (so lots of Beevor etc).
However I have never really understood much of the politics surrounding events – however after watching The Darkest Hour (which was utterly compelling – loved it from start to finish) I would like to read / see more about that side of things. I have a copy of Downfall on DVD but apart from that, what else do I need to see / read?
The World at War is a good starting point.
Then read The Hitler Myth by Ian Kershaw
The True Believer by Eric Hoffer
and then something about western and Japanese imperialism in the east/pacific circa 1860s to 1930s.
related , but the 10 part Vietnam documentary that was recently on was fascinating
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1877514/
Roy Jenkins' bio of WSC
I read this recently and found it absolutely fascinating. The winners get to write history. This gives the account of various German troops, Luftwaffe pilots etc on what it was like to be on the business end on one of the biggest military forces ever assembled
And another vote for the 10 part Vietnam documentary on BBC which was really interesting
Ohh yes - I have WaW too - I had totally forgotten about that (all the DVDs are hidden away in the garage these days). I shall have to dig it out.
MUNICH - Robert Harris, although a work of fiction, it gives you an insight to Neville Chamberlain's part the 1938 Munich conference.
which nicely leads on to:
SIX DAYS IN MAY - Nicholas Shakespeare, the bit just before the period covered in 'The Darkest Hour'. NOT a work of fiction, but so well written it reads like one.