The Lightning War

by Robert Wernick

World War II was Adolf Hitler's war, started at the time and place of his choosing. After six years of dramatic, relatively bloodless triumphs - his assumption of power, the rearmament of Germany, the reoccupation of the Rhineland, the union forced upon Austria, the seizure of Czechoslovakia - the Führer was determined to prove himself on the battlefield.
On April 3, 1939, Hitler issued written orders to his High Command authorizing the invasion of Poland any time after September 1. On May 23, he lectured his top officers for hours on his plans. He argued that the solution to Germany's problems - arising, as Hitler saw them, from the need for more living space for the people of the Reich - was unattainable "without invading other countries or attacking other people’s possessions."

In his newly declared quest for military victory, Hitler's primary strategy was blitzkrieg, or lightning war, in which coordinated forces of armored panzer divisions, high-level bombers, dive bombers, and motorized infantry divisions would blast through enemy defenses in a sudden, massive assault.

Here, from award-winning journalist Robert Wernick, is the story of Hitler's lightning war - from the invasion of Poland to the Battle of France.

Genres: History, World War II, Military History

119 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 5, 2013

Reviews

[Charley Ilg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was written in the style of a 120 page newspaper article. Although it was incredibly detailed, it was a bit overwhelming with all of the information being thrown at you at once. It was interesting to read how many different event had to fall in place for Germany to have had the success that they did.

[Greg Koontz · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are a history buff for WWII this book is for you.
Lots of details on a day to day basis from both the German side and the Allied side. Even goes with the difference of opinion from the different countries on the Allied side. Again, if you are into minute details on WWII this book is for you, but if you are not, it will make for some painful reading.

[R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good telling of Hitler's Lightning War that opened WW2 and captured basically all of Western Europe. The only disappointing thing about this is the fact that it's a mere 119 pages long. That's nothing, that's like the opening chapters of a history book, and that is what kept it from getting a fifth star. There wasn't really any indication before paying for it that it was so short, and even though it was only $2.99 on Barnes and Noble, there are plenty of full length history books for the same price.

I would absolutely read something else by Wernick if I was ever given the chance. He seemed to be a fantastic writer and one of the few who can write history and keep it entertaining.

[Charlie Newfell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Very concise, and interesting in that it focuses on one subject-- what Germany called Blitzkreig--literally lightning war. But despite its brevity, it does go a bit off topic, discussing why France lost so quickly (in reality less to do with Germany's techniques) , yet doesn't explain as much about the lightning war techniques.

[Sandee Priser · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick and interesting read of the military events in the first part of WW2. For those like me who grew up in the U.S. where history focused on US involvement in WW2, it was a good reminder of what came before that and what caused considerable issues among the European allies.

[Robert Thornton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fair concise history of the time. But way too superficial.

[Robert J. Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mixed Signals

TERRIFIC insight on the lead up to WWII. The final ignominious sinking of the French fleet was a disaster. Interesting!

[Chad Manske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast descriptive read of Germany's advance across all fronts concluding with the culmination of France's armistice with Germany in June 1940.