Meet New Books
Meet New Books
Book Cover

The Second World War

Save:
Find on Amazon

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.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging, eloquent, and packed with meaning, encouraging thoughtful reflection on the subject matter.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot focuses on a thematic and contextual examination of WWII, exploring significant questions and perspectives rather than providing exhaustive battle details.

Setting:

The setting encompasses WWII's various theaters with a strong focus on the historical context leading to the conflict.

Pacing:

The pacing is deliberate and reflective, allowing readers to consider the material deeply rather than racing through it.
The First [World] War explains the second and, in fact, caused it, in so far as one event causes another,’ wrote A. J. P. Taylor in his Origins of the Second World War. ‘The link between the two wars ...

Notes:

John Keegan's book offers a thematic approach to understanding WWII instead of a detailed battle-by-battle account.
The introduction discusses why world wars became possible, making it a highlight of the book.
Keegan emphasizes the reasons behind major players' actions, like why Germany invaded and why the U.S. delayed entry into the war.
The book asserts that supply chains for resources were crucial for the war effort.
Brazil's contributions to the war effort, particularly its air bases, are missing from Keegan's narrative, which surprised some readers.
Keegan presents the narratives of both high-ranking leaders and ordinary soldiers, valuing their contributions to the war.
The book is organized into five sections which analyze strategic dilemmas faced by the major powers involved in the war.
Keegan's writing is noted for being engaging, often encouraging readers to reflect on the content after reading.
The book links the origins of WWII to historical events as far back as Charlemagne, emphasizing the rise of Prussia.
Critics pointed out that the book has a stronger focus on the European theater compared to the Pacific theater, given the scale of combat in Europe.
Keegan's perspective as a former instructor at Sandhurst enriches the historical narrative with strategic insights.

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

Ratings (1)

Incredible (1)

Reader Stats (2):

Read It (1)
Want To Read (1)

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("

"); } else { document.writeln(""); }

 
Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.