World War II: A Beginner's Guide

Beginner's Guide (Oneworld Publications)

by Christopher Catherwood

With over sixty million casualties World War II was the bloodiest conflict in history. In this incisive introduction, Christopher Catherwood covers all the key battles, while giving the wider story behind them. He also brings a fresh angle to the conflict, emphasising the huge impact of the preceding Sino-Japanese War on World War II and the relative unimportance of the British campaign in Africa.

From the impact of the Hiroshima bombing to the horrors wreaked by the Red Army and the Nazis, Catherwood makes clear the legacy of the war today. Full of text-boxes revealing key details about intelligence, weaponry, and the social milieu of the conflict, there is no better brief introduction.

Genres: History

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 7, 2014

About the author

Christopher Catherwood is a writer and historian based in Cambridge. He has taught at the University of Cambridge and the University of Richmond, Virginia. An expert on Winston Churchill, his previous books include the bestseller Winston’s Folly.

Reviews

[Aizuddin · Rating 4 out of 5]

From where I came from, World War was never in any syllabus of our history class. My source of World War knowledge was only from movies or some random reading over the internet. But after reading this books I got a clear picture of sequence of event of World War II, though this book is not in detail but enough.

It took me over few month to finish this book, because I have to read some chapter back and forth to relate with very limited information I know prior to reading this. I have to do some searching for names or places in here to understand it further.

[Whena · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is an excellent resource for beginners just starting to explore WWII historical period. The author presents the events of the war clearly and concisely, making it easy for readers to understand the key players, battles, and strategies involved. The book is well-organized, with each chapter covering a specific aspect of the war, making it easy to follow the timeline of events.

Overall, this book is an ideal starting point for anyone who wants to learn more about World War 2 and is a valuable addition to any history enthusiast's bookshelf.

[Chloe]

Easy and beginner friendly. It really make me interested in the World War 2.

A good book is not only about providing the reader with knowledge, it's also about capturing the reader's interest and attention.

[Stephanie Lim]

Could not finish the book. Stopped at page 84.