The World's Greatest 20th Century Battlefields

by Peter Snow, Dan Snow

To understand the 20th-century battles examined in this book is to understand the conflicts that dominated the world's headlines. Former war correspondent Peter Snow and his son, military historian Dan Snow, place each battle in the context of the war in which it played a crucial part. Interviews with veterans provide the perspective of those on the ground, from leaders to foot soldiers, at these pivotal points in history. Compelling narratives bring to life the vast landscapes of modern warfare and the strategies and technologies employed, from the earliest tanks, planes, and artillery of the First World War to the satellite surveillance and laser-guided missiles of the Gulf War.

Genres: History, Military History, Military Fiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2007

Reviews

[Mingming Srichaisak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book to read. A lot of info on the wars and situations around the globe.

[Lewis Forster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book if you just want to touch on some of the major battles of the 20th century

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accompanying the BBC series, this book strikes a perfect balance between information and accessibility. Think of it as a beginner's guide to twentieth century warfare; each chapter is not exhaustive but is as good an introduction as you could ask for.

It can be read not just as a book specific to warfare, but one that touches on the development of the world community and international politics in the last hundred years. If you want to learn more on how things have come to be as they are, but are put off by mammoth history books that put you to sleep, give this a try.

[Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book which does much to introduce a potentially unfamiliar student to the rigors and development of modern war. Blending together a mixture of first-hand and secondary sources, as the Snows endeavour to guide their reader from the home front, through the strategic level to the fighting on the ground. However this does lead to the books failing as it is a general history and as such should be regarded in this light.