World War II for Dummies

by Keith D. Dickson

World War II was the most destructive event of the twentieth century. It was total war covering the entire globe, and the nations that fought it employed every available resource, harnessing both technology and people to one purpose. If you look at the world today, you'll be hard-pressed to find a country that was not affected by this war. If you want to find out more about this war, without being overwhelmed, "World War II for Dummies" can help. Whether you're looking for a way to enhance your appreciation of the events that took place or just want to refresh your memory without digging through countless volumes of World War II history, this book is right for you.

Accurate and easily accessible "World War II for Dummies" will help you explore a war that defined and shaped the world we live in today. You'll discover all the players--individuals as well as nations--who participated in the war and the politics that drove them. Battle by battle, you'll find out how the Axis powers initially took control of the war and how the Allies fought back to win the day. "World War II for Dummies" also covers: The origins and causes of World War II The rise of Hitler and the Third Reich How the war was handled at home Germany's invasion of Poland, France, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, and Luxembourg Great Britain's refusal to surrender after forty-two days of German aerial bombardment The United States entrance into the war after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor The Allied invasion of Normandy (D-Day) Germany's last ditch effort to stop the Allies at the Battle of the Bulge The use of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki "World War II for Dummies" is packed with fascinating anecdotes, interesting sidebars, and top ten lists, that clue you in on many of the issues of this war. This friendly reference gives you the scoop on everything from Pearl Harbor and the Holocaust to D-Day, Midway, and more.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, War, Reference, World War II, Military History, Military Fiction

405 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2001

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written, easy to read book covering all the main points regarding the background, causes, and events during World War 2.

Has a much broader scope than other, more detailed books on the war. This book gives good descriptions of the resentment Germany felt at their treatment at the end of World War 1 (and with fair-enough reason) and the economic turmoil of the Depression. This created conditions for the rise of the dictators in the Axis countries.

Good descriptions of the international and national politics and how this subsequently influenced the battles - often giving the "why" behind the conflict.

Especially good descriptions of Hitler's racial policies, which was the reason for his invading the Soviet Union and Eastern European countries. He wanted living space (lebensraum) for his Aryan race.

Also good descriptions of the home fronts for Britain, the United States, USSR, Italy, Japan, and Germany. This gave a good idea of what it was like for civilians to live through that period.

I liked how the author included the Japanese invasion of China in 1931 (Manchuria) and 1937. Many Western books tend to leave that out, starting with Hitler's invasion of Poland. Effectively, World War 2 started in 1937 for China and Japan.

I also liked that it wasn't heavily slanted towards the United States perspective. This is a good achievement by the author since he's from the United States.

Most of the combat is written about in highly summarised form. This is still adequate, though. There's good linkage between the individual battles and the broad picture of what the combatants were trying to achieve (i.e. their strategy).

The only complaint I had about the book was its descriptions of what happened in China after the Western countries entered the war against Japan. Made it feel as though the Chinese basically stopped fighting the Japanese after everyone else had joined in. I'm sure that's not the full story, otherwise why did many millions of Chinese die in World War 2? According to the book, somewhere between 15 and 22 million. In numbers of deaths per country, that's the second most numerous, behind the Soviet Union (25 million).

Overall, a very good book. Gives very wide coverage over a broad range of topics, sometimes better than other one-volume books (which focus mainly on the combat). Written in simple to understand language, typical of other Dummies books.

[Lysander Kenning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Millions of people were involved in this complex & destructive war. So many events & decisions by aggressors & allied forces that impact millions of lives during that time, now & the future. I find this book totally engaging. I love the writer’s emphatic & at appropriate times, witty personal observations/analyses. Totally palatable for someone like me who have no history background of WWII

[Can Uğurpala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bir amerikan komutanı gözüyle ne kadar iyi olabilirse. Amerikalıların Türkiye'ye olağan kayıtsızlığı dikkat çekici. Ya şöyle olsaydı kısmında en azından TR cephe acsaydi savaşın gidişatının değişimi vs den bahsedilebilirdi. Yine de kabul etmek gerekir ki yazar macera romanı havasında sürükleyici bir üsluba sahip.

[Sophie HT]

DNF'd at 25%. Whilst very interesting, I just don't have the time for it, I'm planning to return to it at a later date.

[Don Stanton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good if you are any kind of a history buff. I gave read and studied countless books about this era, but this down to earth chronology of WWI is only only book I have read that does and excellent job of outlining the war and its major campaigns in a tidy and concise manor.
Super quick read, but a real must for those that are students of the this critical time in our history.
As for the rest, a good choice would me People Magazine.

[Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent overview of the causes, events, and conclusion of WWII. I read it to get the big picture into which I could place future reading about specific events and phases of the war. The writing is a bit sloppy at times and a bit too casual but not to distraction. There is also a fair amount of repetition as it is also designed to be read in bits and pieces as well as from beginning to end.

[Naftoli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fine review of WWII. I just finished teaching the Unit on WWII so I read it as a quick review. It's a simple telling of WWII but if you already have foundational knowledge on the topic it will stimulate all of the details that have learnt but thought you forgot.

[Adrian · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of the subjetiviest books that i ever read, writen by an american military lover.

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Like the for Dummies books,and I was looking for more info on WW2. Seemed like a good match.

[Taddow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I good simple breakdown of the events leading up to, during and conclusion of WWII.

[Bill Wolverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good general overview of WWI. Good read for someone that doesn't know much about WWI or good review for future, more in-depth reading on the subject.

[Arjun · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story with a happy ending. Or not. Depending on how you look at it.