The War : Stories of Life and Death from World War II

by Clint Willis (Editor), William Manchester (Contributor), Paul Fussell (Contributor)

No one knew it was going to be that bad. World War II killed some 60 million people—20 million of them soldiers—and inflicted wounds, bereavement, poverty, and suffering on countless others. But such destruction was as impossible to imagine in advance as it was for young pilots-in-training to imagine their coming fiery deaths; or for Jews to foresee their last moments in the gas chambers; or for parents to imagine their children killed by the mortars and bullets and other munitions that factories churned out in such enormous quantities. As impossible, perhaps, as it is for us to imagine a disaster of similar scale in our future.

The War presents an unforgettable mosaic of memoirs from soldiers, citizens, and historians, detailing the immense tragedy that stretched from the Western Front to the Pacific Theater.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Military History

375 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Ray Savarda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good selection of story excerpts, so nothing too long, but all pretty interesting.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed hearing about the war. I feel this is informative we need to know. Not coverups

[Ted Mccormack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stories from those who survived in WWII.

[Joe Oaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love personal accounts like this. The one by Webster was great. I read his book and loved it. Great book.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

First-hand, journalistic accounts.