Books matching: world war ii military strategies
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- #1
'Why the Allies Won' by Richard Overy is a detailed analysis of the factors that contributed to the victory of the Allies in World War II. Overy delves into various aspects such as military strategies, economic strengths, technological advancements, and leadership styles to provide a comprehensive view of how the Allies were able to overcome the Axis powers. The book explores key battles like Midway, Stalingrad, and Kursk, shedding light on the pivotal moments that shaped the outcome of the war. Overy's writing style is engaging and informative, offering readers a fresh perspective on a well-known historical event.
IT IS NOW almost twelve years since the first edition of Why the Allies Won was written. In the interval a great deal of additional material has been published and new perspectives opened up on the hi... - #2
'An Army at Dawn: The War in North Africa, 1942-1943' by Rick Atkinson is a fresh and well-written historical account of the American involvement in North Africa during World War II. The book focuses on the unreadiness of the US military and the coming of age of the US Army during Operation Torch. Atkinson skillfully weaves together narratives from key generals like Eisenhower, Patton, and Montgomery, along with perspectives from the battlefield, to provide a compelling and insightful look at this critical campaign.
AFEW minutes past 10 A.M. on Wednesday, October 21, 1942, a twin-engine Navy passenger plane broke through the low overcast blanketing Washington, D.C., then banked over the Potomac River for the fina... - #3
The Steel Wave by Jeff Shaara is a historical novel that delves into the planning and execution of Operation Overlord, the invasion of Occupied Europe during World War II. The book vividly portrays the strategic successes and tactical failures of fighting in Normandy, from the chaos of the D-Day invasion to the Allied efforts to seal the Falaise Gap. Through a mix of fictional characters and historical figures like Eisenhower, Rommel, Patton, and Bradley, the author brings to life the intense battle scenes and the personal struggles of those involved in one of the most pivotal battles in history.
The air underwater was foul and wet, five men pulling against the thinning oxygen. He sat erect, his back painfully pressed against a coil of wire, part of the electrical system of the craft. She was ...
(Also, see 59 recommendations for the series World War II: 1939-1945 ) "China Marine" serves as a poignant sequel to Eugene Sledge's earlier work, "With the Old Breed." The book explores Sledge's time in post-war China as part of the Marine occupation force. After surviving the brutal battles of Peleliu and Okinawa, Sledge finds himself in a complex political environment torn between Nationalists and Communists. His observations mainly focus on the everyday lives of the Chinese people and the bonds he forms with a local family, offering a personal and candid portrayal of a soldier's recovery amidst the backdrop of a changing nation.
Sledge's writing style is straightforward and sincere, evoking empathy without embellishment. He reflects on his struggles reintegrating into civilian life while wrestling with the memories of war. Through simple yet powerful scenes, such as listening to Mozart with a Chinese family, he captures the essence of humanity in conflict. While his perspective may lack a broader political analysis, it provides valuable insight into the emotional repercussions of war and the resilience required to move forward.
Armageddon: The Battle for Germany, 1944-1945 by Max Hastings is a detailed and riveting account of the final period of World War II in Europe. The book delves into the events, armies, and leaders involved in the fall of Germany on both the Eastern and Western fronts during 1944 and 1945. Hastings meticulously portrays the struggles faced by soldiers, civilians, and bystanders during the bloody last nine months in Central Europe, providing a comprehensive analysis of high-level strategy alongside touching personal stories that highlight the human side of the conflict.
Hastings' writing style in Armageddon is characterized by a narrative that weaves together testimonies from soldiers and civilians, excerpts from papers, letters, and diaries, and government reports of the time. The author focuses on portraying the confusing reality of events rather than presenting a familiar interpreted version of history. Through detailed research and interviews with survivors, Hastings offers a nuanced perspective on the complexities of the war, avoiding oversimplifications and delving into the moral, political, and military abyss that characterized the era.
Winston Churchill, whose irrational stubbornness in 1940 had averted Hitler’s triumph, enjoyed the years of victory much less than he had expected. Like his people he was weary, as well a man of sixty...- #6
'The Battle of Midway' by Craig L. Symonds provides a detailed and dramatic account of the pivotal battle that changed the course of World War II. Symonds skillfully describes the events leading up to the battle, the contributions of key individuals like Rochefort and the codebreakers, and the heroic actions of the fliers involved. Through a mix of published accounts and interviews, the author reconstructs the battle and addresses myths and misconceptions that have emerged about it, offering readers a well-rounded understanding of this significant historical event.
- #7
'Omaha Beach: D-Day, June 6, 1944' by Joseph Balkoski is a detailed account of the events that took place during the D-Day landings at Omaha Beach. Balkoski's writing style involves minimal narrative, focusing on direct quotes, interviews, and firsthand accounts to provide a vivid portrayal of the battle. covers the reasoning, planning, training, and the D-Day invasion itself in great detail, allowing readers to experience the confusion and chaos of the battle through various perspectives.
- #8
"The Winds of War" by Herman Wouk is a historical fiction novel set during World War II, following the Henry family as they navigate the tumultuous events leading up to the war and the early years of the conflict. The book expertly blends historical facts with a family saga, offering vivid portrayals of famous figures like Hitler, Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin, while also delving into the personal lives and challenges of the characters. Wouk's writing style combines fiction and nonfiction elements, captivating readers with a compelling story that transports them back in time to the era of the war.
The plot of "The Winds of War" is sprawling and epic, reminiscent of James Michener's works, as it covers a wide range of events and locations related to World War II. Through the lens of the Henry family, readers are provided with a comprehensive view of the lead-up to the war, the impact on American families, and the historical backdrop of the conflict. The book's engaging storytelling and inclusion of both fictional and real-life characters make it a captivating read that offers insights into the scale and scope of World War II.
Commander Victor Henry rode a taxicab home from the Navy Building on Constitution Avenue, in a gusty gray March rainstorm that matched his mood. In his War Plans cubbyhole that afternoon, he had recei... - #9
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.
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 ... Ronald H. Spector's 'Eagle Against The Sun: The American War With Japan' is a comprehensive one-volume history of the American war against Japan in the Pacific Theater during World War II. The book covers various aspects of the conflict, including major battles, strategic decisions, intelligence operations, logistical challenges, and the social composition of the forces deployed. Spector's writing style is praised for its easy readability, balance between detailed action and political decisions, and inclusion of lesser-known areas and insights such as the conflicts in Burma, Thailand, New Guinea, and the MacArthur vs Nimitz dynamics.
The failures and successes at Pearl Harbor, as well as those in the coming years of the Pacific War, were to a considerable extent determined by the attitudes, hopes, fears, and plans developed by the...