Who Would Like This Book:
If you love big-picture history with a knack for clear, captivating storytelling, John Keegan’s 'The Second World War' will hit the spot. This isn’t just a list of battles and dates - Keegan beautifully explains why World War II happened, what made it possible, and how grand strategies shaped outcomes. His focus on leaders, strategies, supply lines, and the crucial decisions of the 'big five' powers makes you see the war from a whole new angle. It’s perfect for both newcomers to WWII history and dedicated history buffs looking for fresh insight.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you want a blow-by-blow recounting of every major battle or comprehensive global coverage, you might feel a bit let down. Keegan prioritizes Europe over the Pacific and largely skips over significant contributions from smaller nations, like Brazil. Some readers found the selective focus and omissions frustrating, especially if you’re looking for something all-encompassing or with equal attention to all theaters.
About:
John Keegan's 'The Second World War' is a masterfully written dissertation that delves into the various aspects of WWII, providing a contextual overview of the war. Keegan's writing style separates the war into different blocks of time and space, emphasizing critical events and decisions made by the political and military high commands of the major powers involved. The book not only covers the major battles brilliantly but also explores the underlying reasons behind the conflict, such as the motivations of different countries and the strategic dilemmas faced by leaders.
Keegan's meticulous research and ability to link the war within the historical flow of Europe and modern Asia make this book a comprehensive read. The narrative is organized chronologically, with specific chapters dedicated to important factors influencing the war effort, such as espionage, war production, and organized resistance. Keegan's focus on strategy, command, and control, along with his emphasis on the significance of ordinary soldiers and civilians in aiding the war effort, adds depth to the understanding of WWII.
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From The Publisher:
Praised as "the best military historian of our generation" by Tom Clancy, John Keegan reconsiders his masterful study of World War II, The Second World War, with a new foreword
Keegan examines each theater of the war, focusing on five crucial battles and offering new insights into the distinctive methods and motivations of modern warfare. In eloquent, perceptive analyses of the airborne battle of Crete, the carrier battle of Midway, the tank battle of Falaise, the city battle of Berlin, and the amphibious battle of Okinawa, Keegan illuminates the strategic dilemmas faced by the leaders and the consequences of their decisions on the fighting men and the course of the war as a whole. An extraordinary, definitive history, The Second World War will be required reading for generations to come.
"The Second World War merits the acceptance as the standard work that it will surely recieve." -The Washington Post
"If you want to know how it happened, read Keegan's thoughtful and elegant prose." -Los Angeles Times
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About the Author:
John Keegan, one of the most distinguished contemporary military historians, was for many years Senior Lecturer at Sandhurst, the British Royal Military Academy, and Defense Editor of the London Daily Telegraph. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, Keegan is the author of numerous books including The Face of Battle, The Mask of Command, The Price of Admiralty, Six Armies in Normandy, and The Second World War (all available from Penguin). if (SYM == "BIO") { document.writeln("
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