He was the "Number One Nazi," one of Hitler's oldest friends and second in command.

Yet perhaps more than any other advisor, he was responsible for the collapse of the Nazi regime.
Hermann Goering was a man of many contradictions; a decorated war hero whose strategic decisions proved disastrous, an elitist with a common touch, a man possessed of a brilliant mind unshackled by any conscience.
Through rare photos, film footage and interviews with experts, this documentary assembles a fascinating portrait of the man who embodied the Nazi regime. Discover how his World War I experiences prepared him for his role in the Third Reich and gave Hitler legitimacy from the outset. Then see how his pride and bombast led to the greatest defeat of the war, and follow his descent into addiction.
When World War II ended, Goering was convicted of war crimes at the Nuremberg trials and sentenced to death. Two hours before his scheduled hanging, he committed suicide, thus ending the life of one of the most misguided figures in modern times.
Archival news footage and scholarly commentary tell of his rise to power and the abuse of it that led to his destruction.

Written & Produced by Chris Mortensen ; Produced by Actuality Productions, Inc./Hearst Entertainment for A&E Network