Twelve Turning Points of the Second World War

by P.M.H. Bell

The Battle of Britain. Pearl Harbor. Stalingrad. D-Day. These defining events of the Second World War exemplify both the immense heroism and the grievous costs of global conflict. They are the tense, thrilling moments that had the potential to swing the war in favor of either side and in turn change the course of history. In this gripping new look at the twentieth century's most crucial conflict, historian P. M. H. Bell analyzes twelve unique turning points that determined the character and the ultimate outcome of the Second World War. Be they military campaigns, economic actions, or diplomatic summits, Bell's twelve turning points span the full breadth of the war, from the home front to the front line. Many are familiar—Barbarossa and Hiroshima among them—while sections on war production, the Atlantic convoy system, and the conferences at Tehran and Yalta emphasize the importance of the combatants' actions off the battlefield. Through these keenly narrated episodes, Bell reveals how the Allied and Axis powers achieved their greatest successes and stumbled into their strategic failures, inviting us to think about the Second World War in a fresh, stimulating way. Ultimately, his close study of these dozen turning points reminds us, often terrifyingly, how easily things might have turned out differently.

Genres: History, World War II

288 pages, Hardcover

First published April 26, 2011

About the author

Philip Michael Hett Bell was Reader in History at the University of Liverpool

Reviews

[Judith Gunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a concise impressive review of the most important events of the Second World War. Most of them are predictable: Battle of Britain, Pearl Harbor, Battle of Midway. Others are less predictable; convoys and wolf packs, proper application of overwhelming force. If you want a well-written terse history of that war, this is the place to start.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who want to know the major conflicts of WW 2 without going into hundreds of pages in detail this is the book for you. Well written and provides just enough summary of the battles mentioned that will want to make readers delve further into research should they want to learn more on a specific event.

[Joseph Sparrow · Rating 2 out of 5]

reading about FDR and Stalin ragging on Churchill and the British Empire at a dinner date in Tehran was pretty funny

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy-to-read summary of an awful and long-lasting war. I've read many, many detailed books about WWII, and this one was icing on the top, reminding me of the important ways the world changed as a result of these (and many others, as the author acknowledges) events that could have had a different outcome.

[Jim Blessing · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting discussion on the author's opinion of the 12 key turning points of WWII. I thought the points were appropriate (and fairly obvious). The write-ups provided some good insights on these events.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise, well-written and with explanations for why each "turning point" was chosen. Not sure I agree with all his choices but a good book nonetheless.