The Penguin History of the Second World War

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View books by Peter Calvocoressi, Guy Wint, John Pritchard.

Comprehensive - Rated
I wanted a single volume of the second world war and was glad I got this one. It's well written, objective and concentrates more on the geo-political and strategic overview of events rather than the minute detail of individual military actions. There's plenty of coverage too of the social aspects of the war, the affect on occupied countries and the "home front".

I've only read the first part so far - the European theatre - but I feel already I've learnt a lot more about the how and why of it all, and now have a jumping-off point for reading around particular events or campaigns. I'm taking a breather for a couple of weeks now before I start the 700 odd pages on the Pacific campaign.

Microscopic look at WW2 - Rated
An excellent book which breaks down the war in the west and the war in the east. The narrative is unbiased and goes into the minute details of the economic, social as well as militaristic factors involved the beginning, duration and end of the war. A particularily good insight to the working of the Japanese regime and the governments relationship with the Emperor and Amred Forces.

Detailed, indepth anaylsis of the Second world war - Rated
Not for the faint hearted, this 1224 page volume is perhaps the definitve work on the second world war. Focusing on the political and military aspects of the war, a proffesional and dignified view is mainted throughout, rarely straying into personal views or mini-biographies. If you are looking for a book about why Hitler did what he did this is not it. If you are looking for a book which fits all the pioeces of the jigsaw of the second world war together, this is DEFINETELEY it. taking a grown up view of the British Empire, German forgein policy, Japenese aggression in the pacific, American involvement, and all the other issues of the war, this book deilvers an uncompasionate, proffesional overview of the conflict with great style.