By the author of "The Price of Admiralty", this book approaches the war from a thematic and periodic standpoint. The course of the war is divided into six passages and attached to each is an analytical narrative of a battle, which exemplifies a mode of warfare special to this war, such as city sieges, an air battle, an airborne operation, an aircraft carrier battle, a tank battle and an amphibious landing. The author takes as his starting point the outcome of the First World War, and what it meant in particular for the defeated nations, and how the developed world reacted to its first experience of mass warfare. He surveys the strategic positioning of all the major combatants to summarize the strategic progress of the war. In addition all the major ancillary activities to which the war gave rise are discussed: war supply, war production, strategic bombing, occupation and repression, espionage and resistance, and the secret weapons programmes.
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The best one-volume treatment available, The Second World War by John Keegan is an outstanding synthesis of an enormous amount of material on "the largest single event in human history." The book proceeds chronologically through the war, but chapters appearing at appropriate moments focus on particular themes, such as war production, occupation, bombing, resistance, and espionage. Keegan's ability to translate the war's grand strategies is impressive, and the battle descriptions are superb. Generals obviously play a key role in this narrative, but ordinary soldiers also receive proper credit, as do the often-overlooked merchant marines whose heroic efforts to supply Great Britain made the Allied victory possible. Keegan, author of the landmark book The Face of Battle, is without doubt one of our greatest military historians, and here his analytical powers and skilled writing are on full display.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
From Publishers Weekly
"This account of WW II, though controversial, is rich in fresh perception, interpretation and opinion. In addition to penning a fast-paced campaign chronicle, Keegan makes a convincing case for the prime motivations of Allied and Axis leaders, pinpoints the practical results of Allied summit conferences and defines the war's geopolitical dimensions," reported PW. Photos.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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First Sentence
"'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." Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
"'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." Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By B. Tavares
Format:Paperback
I need to start of by stating that I have a limited background in history and especially in millitary history. My review, then, is meant for others like me who enjoy reading history in their free time but have taken next to no history courses in college.
With the above caveat, then, I must say that John Keegan has written a terrific book. It strikes that balance between detail and coverage that is often lacking in such works. I mean, one could easily write a book about just operation Barbarossa, or war production but such a book would necessarily be quite dry to those outside the field. John Keegan, on the other hand, manages to write about everything while managing to not be overly superficial. It is this knack for what is important and what is not that separates this book from some of the other world war 2 books.
Another great feature of this book is that it's prose is easy to digest. It is consequently easy to reread and I often read a chapter or two when I cannot sleep. While I have praised this book extensively, I am not sure whether it is worth reading if one has a relatively solid understanding of World War 2. I am still looking for this book's World War 1 counterpart.
With the above caveat, then, I must say that John Keegan has written a terrific book. It strikes that balance between detail and coverage that is often lacking in such works. I mean, one could easily write a book about just operation Barbarossa, or war production but such a book would necessarily be quite dry to those outside the field. John Keegan, on the other hand, manages to write about everything while managing to not be overly superficial. It is this knack for what is important and what is not that separates this book from some of the other world war 2 books.
Another great feature of this book is that it's prose is easy to digest. It is consequently easy to reread and I often read a chapter or two when I cannot sleep. While I have praised this book extensively, I am not sure whether it is worth reading if one has a relatively solid understanding of World War 2. I am still looking for this book's World War 1 counterpart.
By mr sachmo
Format:Paperback
Once again Keegan makes history interesting. I always love reading his books; I find them very easy to digest while still able to convey a wealth of information. I recommend this book to anyone with even the slightest interest in WWII.
Format:Paperback
John Keegan's, "The Second World War," is a detailed overview of the greatest conflict in history. The author gives his readers a behind the scenes view of deliberations conducted at the highest levels leading up to the major battles in each theatre. He then analyzes the combatant's preparations and schemes of maneuver and provides sound analyses of both the outcomes and the long-term implications of each campaign. The result is one of the most thorough reviews of World War II ever written.
Keegan begins with an overview of the factors that led to the outbreak of a second world war only 21 years after the, "war to end all wars," ended. The economic devastation caused by harsh surrender terms gave rise to crime, unemployment and rampant inflation. Paramilitary groups, composed of frustrated young men desperately looking for leadership and a means of avenging their national honor, sprang up and flourished in the post war chaos. Also, promises made to nations to entice their participation in World War I went unfulfilled leaving some former allies, disillusioned and bitter. These factors combined to open the way for despots such as Hitler, Mussolini and Tojo. The world would pay a heavy price for these mistakes beginning in the 1930's.
Keegan then narrates the major conflicts in each theatre. He reviews the grand strategies and tactical actions of the commanders involved and dispenses praise or condemnation solely on the results achieved. Allied and Axis commanders are glorified or condemned based on their generalship alone in one of the most completely objective accounts ever.
Professor Keegan recounts most world leaders agreed, at the end of the First World War, the lethality of 1918 vintage weapons had made war invalid as an instrument of foreign policy. In 1945, the devastated cities of Europe and Russia reaffirmed those findings. Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan emphatically confirmed the analysis with mushroom shaped exclamation points. Yet, the alliances that evolved from World War II made nuclear holocaust a distinct possibility for the next 45 years. Fortunately, the lessons learned in World War II kept this from occurring.
Second World War is an outstanding analysis of the major campaigns fought in World War II. My only advise is unless the reader is as well versed in world geography as the author, he would do well to keep an atlas at his side to help visualize the schemes of maneuver described. Never the less, the book deserves a place in the library of every serious student of this, the greatest conflict of all time. 5 stars!!
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4.3 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
So many facts, it's muddling
My professor loves this book; I can somehow see that. John Keegan writes details and dialogue as if he was with the military leaders, transcribing their speech. Read more
Published on April 10 2010 by Kels
5.0 out of 5 stars
Second World War
I have the hard-cover edition. I think I bought it in 1990. It is by far the best history of WW2 that I have read. Read more
Published on Aug 12 2007 by Tim Stott
4.0 out of 5 stars
What Mattered and What Did Not
John Keegan has carved himself a distinctive place in the literature of warfare. He's serious and well-informed, without having fallen play to the kind of celebratory cheerleading... Read more
Published on Jan 5 2004 by Buce
3.0 out of 5 stars
Well-written WWII introductory opus, but watch for flaws....
The Second World War was the largest, bloodiest conflict in history. It was fought on three of the seven continents and involved every major power of the time. Read more
Published on Oct 13 2003 by Alex Diaz-Granados
5.0 out of 5 stars
Keegan's masterpiece
Prof. Keegan's masterpiece is an excellent addition to any library. It is well-written and covers both theaters of the war. Read more
Published on Jun 15 2003 by Anthony Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best Book about WWII
(by E.M. Singer, author of "Mother Flies Hurricanes") I love this book! John Keegan, besides being a terrific writer, is a master of organization as well (which appeals to... Read more
Published on May 3 2003 by E.M. Singer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic summary of WW II
Keegan, a great military writer, has produced another masterpiece. This comprehensive summary of the Second World War is ideal for military history courses.
Published on Mar 9 2003 by Edward Bonekemper
3.0 out of 5 stars
An Interesting View Of World War II
Although this is not a real chronologically ordered summery of World War II Mr. Keegan manages to capture many different aspects in a way that is understandable and informative. Read more
Published on Feb 20 2003 by Kristi Ahlers
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful snapshots of the people, places and times!
John Keegan's "The Second World War" is a masterfully written dissertation of WWII. While Keegan certainly doesn't cover every aspect of the war - he in fact explains that he will... Read more
Published on Nov 19 2002 by Mannie Liscum
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Chronology
This is a fine chronological overview of the war. It unfolds form the causes through the early years of Axis victory through the turning point and into final defeat. Read more
Published on Sep 6 2002 by David Stapleton
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