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The War in the West #2
The War in the West: A New History Volume 2, . the Allies Fight Back 1941-43
In the second volume of his acclaimed new history of the Second World War, James Holland examines the momentous turning points of 1941–1943: Hitler’s invasion of Russia; America’s entry into the conflict; the devastating Thousand Bomber Raids over Germany; the long struggle in the deserts of North Africa; and the defeat of the U-boats in the crucial Battle of the Atlantic.
As in his first volume, Germany Ascendant, he interweaves his account of the well-known events of the period with the personal stories of individuals caught up in them - on all sides. Through interviews, letters, diaries and reports, he allows us to see the war not just from the perspective of politicians, military commanders and strategists, but also through the eyes of civilians bombed out of their homes, resistance members stranded in the frozen Norwegian winter, sailors risking their lives in the Atlantic convoys, German aces striving for supremacy in the air, and ordinary soldiers battling for survival in the scorching sands of Libya.
He also looks behind the scenes at the all-important ‘machinery’ of war: the manufacturing, farming and vital supply lines that underpinned the entire conflict and ultimately determined its course. From the battle fronts on land, sea and air, to the streets, fields and factories of Britain, America and Germany, he paints a dramatic and compelling portrait of these pivotal years when the tide began to turn.
Combining his own research with only recently accessible archive material, Holland looks afresh at this cataclysmic conflict, reassessing long-held views and challenging conventional assumptions. The result is ground-breaking history that redefines the war in the West and makes us think again about the events that shaped our modern world.
As in his first volume, Germany Ascendant, he interweaves his account of the well-known events of the period with the personal stories of individuals caught up in them - on all sides. Through interviews, letters, diaries and reports, he allows us to see the war not just from the perspective of politicians, military commanders and strategists, but also through the eyes of civilians bombed out of their homes, resistance members stranded in the frozen Norwegian winter, sailors risking their lives in the Atlantic convoys, German aces striving for supremacy in the air, and ordinary soldiers battling for survival in the scorching sands of Libya.
He also looks behind the scenes at the all-important ‘machinery’ of war: the manufacturing, farming and vital supply lines that underpinned the entire conflict and ultimately determined its course. From the battle fronts on land, sea and air, to the streets, fields and factories of Britain, America and Germany, he paints a dramatic and compelling portrait of these pivotal years when the tide began to turn.
Combining his own research with only recently accessible archive material, Holland looks afresh at this cataclysmic conflict, reassessing long-held views and challenging conventional assumptions. The result is ground-breaking history that redefines the war in the West and makes us think again about the events that shaped our modern world.
752 pages, Hardcover
First published May 4, 2017
399 people are currently reading
1629 people want to read
About the author
James Holland
67 books1,026 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
James Holland was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and studied history at Durham University. He has worked for several London publishing houses and has also written for a number of national newspapers and magazines. Married with a son, he lives near Salisbury.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
James Holland was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and studied history at Durham University. He has worked for several London publishing houses and has also written for a number of national newspapers and magazines. Married with a son, he lives near Salisbury.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
April 7, 2017
James Holland's second revisionist volume of the War in the West 1939-45.
James Holland again has avoided repetition of previous accounts of this period and delivered a fascinating and thought provoking book that covers not just the political, but also the economic and social aspects.
I did find this volume flowed a little less smoothly than the previous, but despite that there's much to get your teeth into. Holland argues convincingly that Nazi Germany was a busted flush by 1941 without the resources or a clear plan of how to continue the war over such a vast geographical area with a German army built for short campaigns close to the Fatherland.
Again he has unearthed some never before seen personal accounts that really add to our knowledge. For example some rarely heard voices of the Italian Army in North Africa.
This is a thought provoking book that challenges many preconceptions about the war and comes to some controversial conclusions.
Recommended.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
James Holland again has avoided repetition of previous accounts of this period and delivered a fascinating and thought provoking book that covers not just the political, but also the economic and social aspects.
I did find this volume flowed a little less smoothly than the previous, but despite that there's much to get your teeth into. Holland argues convincingly that Nazi Germany was a busted flush by 1941 without the resources or a clear plan of how to continue the war over such a vast geographical area with a German army built for short campaigns close to the Fatherland.
Again he has unearthed some never before seen personal accounts that really add to our knowledge. For example some rarely heard voices of the Italian Army in North Africa.
This is a thought provoking book that challenges many preconceptions about the war and comes to some controversial conclusions.
Recommended.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
May 5, 2019
Another fine volume in Mr. Holland's new look at how the war was fought.
Although the narrative suffers slightly from the need to consider theatres of war outside the scope of the book, it's still a very readable and interesting look at the "bigger big picture", and especially the little covered aspects of the Allies continuing to expand their hold on the technological and logistical "high ground". Of particular interest was the fact that the Germans were hardly likely to have "starved out" Britain during the Battle of the Atlantic, only closed down equipment and industrial material supply lines, and they hardly managed that at any time during the entire Battle. This is contrasted with the agricultural chaos prevalent in Germany (and by association the Occupied nations) and continues the theme set in the first volume of the history.
By the end of the middle volume, the U-Boats have been defeated (although have yet to fully appreciate the fact), North Africa has been liberated, and most importantly the Allied armies have learned that German forces are not supermen and that they can win. Looking forward immensely to the final volume.
Although the narrative suffers slightly from the need to consider theatres of war outside the scope of the book, it's still a very readable and interesting look at the "bigger big picture", and especially the little covered aspects of the Allies continuing to expand their hold on the technological and logistical "high ground". Of particular interest was the fact that the Germans were hardly likely to have "starved out" Britain during the Battle of the Atlantic, only closed down equipment and industrial material supply lines, and they hardly managed that at any time during the entire Battle. This is contrasted with the agricultural chaos prevalent in Germany (and by association the Occupied nations) and continues the theme set in the first volume of the history.
By the end of the middle volume, the U-Boats have been defeated (although have yet to fully appreciate the fact), North Africa has been liberated, and most importantly the Allied armies have learned that German forces are not supermen and that they can win. Looking forward immensely to the final volume.
July 8, 2025
As a piece of narrative military history, The War in the West: Volume 2 is a solid and engaging read. James Holland writes with clarity and pace, offering a sweeping account of the shifting fortunes of the Allies between 1941 and 1943. However, two key issues undermine its claim to be either groundbreaking or fully convincing.
First, for a book subtitled “A New History,” there’s relatively little here that feels genuinely new. Much of the material—while well-presented—covers familiar ground. The archival depth and inclusion of personal stories are commendable, but they rarely add up to a fundamentally fresh interpretation.
Second, Holland’s central thesis—that the Germans were not better soldiers than the Allies—is debatable. He argues that Allied soldiers appeared less daring or effective largely for cultural reasons, suggesting that troops from totalitarian states were less risk-averse and thus seemed to fight with more flair. But this explanation feels insufficient. If culture alone explains battlefield performance, then how does one account for the Italian army’s largely unimpressive record, despite also serving under a totalitarian regime? There are notable exceptions, of course, but the comparison weakens Holland’s argument.
Holland frequently attributes Allied battlefield failures to poor leadership, which is fair to a point. Yet leadership is an integral component of soldiering—failures in command reflect on the overall effectiveness of the force. Moreover, if poor leadership hampered the Allies, wasn’t the Wehrmacht equally encumbered—perhaps more so—by the strategic, operational and - certainly as the war progresses - tactical incompetence of Hitler himself? Holland acknowledges this, but doesn't fully grapple with the contradiction it presents to his thesis.
By mid-1943, Holland argues, the Allies were gaining the upper hand due to superior logistics, maturing combat experience, and technological advantages. Meanwhile, Germany was bleeding dry—having lost many of its best soldiers, sailors, and airmen, and facing mounting logistical challenges. That much is convincing. What remains extraordinary, however, is how long the Germans managed to hold out. Despite everything, they stayed in the fight for almost two more years—a fact that, if anything, complicates the book’s downplaying of German battlefield prowess.
In summary, The War in the West: Volume 2 is an entertaining and informative narrative. But as a work of reinterpretation, it doesn’t quite deliver. Its central argument is provocative but not fully persuasive—and its claim to originality is, at best, overstated.
I will get the third volume, but only to complete the set. These are not bad books. They’re just not the game-changing works of revisionist history they’re sometimes billed as. Solid, readable, and occasionally insightful — but not quite the definitive rethink of the Western theatre some readers might be hoping for.
If I could, I’d give it 3.5 stars — but since that’s not an option, I’m rounding up to 4. It’s well-written, clearly researched, and often compelling.
First, for a book subtitled “A New History,” there’s relatively little here that feels genuinely new. Much of the material—while well-presented—covers familiar ground. The archival depth and inclusion of personal stories are commendable, but they rarely add up to a fundamentally fresh interpretation.
Second, Holland’s central thesis—that the Germans were not better soldiers than the Allies—is debatable. He argues that Allied soldiers appeared less daring or effective largely for cultural reasons, suggesting that troops from totalitarian states were less risk-averse and thus seemed to fight with more flair. But this explanation feels insufficient. If culture alone explains battlefield performance, then how does one account for the Italian army’s largely unimpressive record, despite also serving under a totalitarian regime? There are notable exceptions, of course, but the comparison weakens Holland’s argument.
Holland frequently attributes Allied battlefield failures to poor leadership, which is fair to a point. Yet leadership is an integral component of soldiering—failures in command reflect on the overall effectiveness of the force. Moreover, if poor leadership hampered the Allies, wasn’t the Wehrmacht equally encumbered—perhaps more so—by the strategic, operational and - certainly as the war progresses - tactical incompetence of Hitler himself? Holland acknowledges this, but doesn't fully grapple with the contradiction it presents to his thesis.
By mid-1943, Holland argues, the Allies were gaining the upper hand due to superior logistics, maturing combat experience, and technological advantages. Meanwhile, Germany was bleeding dry—having lost many of its best soldiers, sailors, and airmen, and facing mounting logistical challenges. That much is convincing. What remains extraordinary, however, is how long the Germans managed to hold out. Despite everything, they stayed in the fight for almost two more years—a fact that, if anything, complicates the book’s downplaying of German battlefield prowess.
In summary, The War in the West: Volume 2 is an entertaining and informative narrative. But as a work of reinterpretation, it doesn’t quite deliver. Its central argument is provocative but not fully persuasive—and its claim to originality is, at best, overstated.
I will get the third volume, but only to complete the set. These are not bad books. They’re just not the game-changing works of revisionist history they’re sometimes billed as. Solid, readable, and occasionally insightful — but not quite the definitive rethink of the Western theatre some readers might be hoping for.
If I could, I’d give it 3.5 stars — but since that’s not an option, I’m rounding up to 4. It’s well-written, clearly researched, and often compelling.
October 9, 2017
The second volume of James Holland's three-volume history of the "the war in the West" begins where the first one, The Rise of Germany leaves off, with Germany launching Operation Barbarossa, their massive invasion of the Soviet Union. It's a fitting starting point, as it means an adjustment to Holland's coverage of the war. Holland's series is best described as "the war the British waged against Germany," as it concentrates against the campaigns waged by Britain and her allies against the Nazi regime. This made the first volume a straightforward account of the main theaters of the war in Europe from September 1939 to June 1941, which covered all of the key events involving the major combatants.
Though the focus of Holland's coverage remains the same, the parameters of his subject have changed in this volume. The opening of the Eastern Front heralded a widening of the war, with Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union followed less than six months later by Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor and their conquest of the European colonies in Southeast Asia. To his credit, Holland does not neglect this, as throughout the text he acknowledges how the developments in these theaters impacted the Western campaigns. Yet even by addressing events in those theaters in passing only there are points at which Holland's narrative seems on the verge of slipping from his control, as the sheer scope of what he is covering -- which includes the campaigns in North Africa, the Atlantic, and in the skies of western and central Europe, as well as the economic context of the war effort -- often forces him to bounce around to address developments in multiple theaters. To his credit, Holland manages to stay on top of it, yet the disjointedness of his narrative compared to the previous volume is more evident.
Nevertheless, this shouldn't overshadow the overall merits of Holland's book. Overall he maintains the high quality of description and deft interweaving of analysis with personal narratives that capture the individual experiences of a vast war. That he will conclude his series in the third volume while offering the same degree of detail as he did about the North Africa campaign for the invasions of Sicily, Italy, and France, as well as the increasing bombing campaign and its collective toll upon Germany is an open question, yet one the answer to which I already look forward to reading.
Though the focus of Holland's coverage remains the same, the parameters of his subject have changed in this volume. The opening of the Eastern Front heralded a widening of the war, with Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union followed less than six months later by Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor and their conquest of the European colonies in Southeast Asia. To his credit, Holland does not neglect this, as throughout the text he acknowledges how the developments in these theaters impacted the Western campaigns. Yet even by addressing events in those theaters in passing only there are points at which Holland's narrative seems on the verge of slipping from his control, as the sheer scope of what he is covering -- which includes the campaigns in North Africa, the Atlantic, and in the skies of western and central Europe, as well as the economic context of the war effort -- often forces him to bounce around to address developments in multiple theaters. To his credit, Holland manages to stay on top of it, yet the disjointedness of his narrative compared to the previous volume is more evident.
Nevertheless, this shouldn't overshadow the overall merits of Holland's book. Overall he maintains the high quality of description and deft interweaving of analysis with personal narratives that capture the individual experiences of a vast war. That he will conclude his series in the third volume while offering the same degree of detail as he did about the North Africa campaign for the invasions of Sicily, Italy, and France, as well as the increasing bombing campaign and its collective toll upon Germany is an open question, yet one the answer to which I already look forward to reading.
January 4, 2023
Just finished the book last night, I really do enjoy JAMES Holland's books. I've just started on Sicily 1943. I plan to next read Sicily '43 and then Normandy '44, maybe he will come out with a Volume Three. It has been snowing here for two days' so I have plenty of time to read. I truly enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it.
Randy Reigstad
Randy Reigstad
December 27, 2021
Holland trots out the same Pro British spin of the previous book in the series.
May 12, 2018
An immensely readable history of the years 1941 to 1943 during which time the Allies fought back against the Axis powers in various parts of the world.
In a broad sweep, James Holland's 2nd volume in this series switches from Hitler’s ill-advised invasion of Russia to the entry of the USA into the conflict and the defeat of the U-boats in the Battle of the Atlantic to the massed British and American bomber raids over Germany and the key battles in North Africa which saw the defeat of Germany's favourite general, Erwin Rommel.
Along the way, there are insights into the lives of "ordinary men" fighting to defeat the Nazis along with those fighting for "The Fatherland" - fighter and bomber pilots, sailors and U-boat crews, tank crews and infantrymen. My favourites were the Bowles twins - brothers who explained they couldn't remember a single word of a rousing speech made to them by "Old Blood and Guts" himself, General George Patton. It's refreshing to note that many men on both sides of the conflict paid little attention to rousing speeches by senior military officers. They knew what really mattered in any battle came down to whether they lived or died.
Despite the constant switches in action to various theatres of the war, Holland manages to keep the story on course, pointing up interesting arguments such as how vital supplies and supply routes on land or sea were to a nation's war efforts. He gives lie to the myth of the superiority of German armed forces and their weapons. And he's not afraid to lay blame at the door of the Allies' senior military officers and government officials whose actions led to needless suffering and death of their own people. A terrific insight into some of the most vital actions of the Western Allies (hence the series title "The War In The West") as the fortunes of the Second World War swung away from Hitler's Germany. Highly recommended.
In a broad sweep, James Holland's 2nd volume in this series switches from Hitler’s ill-advised invasion of Russia to the entry of the USA into the conflict and the defeat of the U-boats in the Battle of the Atlantic to the massed British and American bomber raids over Germany and the key battles in North Africa which saw the defeat of Germany's favourite general, Erwin Rommel.
Along the way, there are insights into the lives of "ordinary men" fighting to defeat the Nazis along with those fighting for "The Fatherland" - fighter and bomber pilots, sailors and U-boat crews, tank crews and infantrymen. My favourites were the Bowles twins - brothers who explained they couldn't remember a single word of a rousing speech made to them by "Old Blood and Guts" himself, General George Patton. It's refreshing to note that many men on both sides of the conflict paid little attention to rousing speeches by senior military officers. They knew what really mattered in any battle came down to whether they lived or died.
Despite the constant switches in action to various theatres of the war, Holland manages to keep the story on course, pointing up interesting arguments such as how vital supplies and supply routes on land or sea were to a nation's war efforts. He gives lie to the myth of the superiority of German armed forces and their weapons. And he's not afraid to lay blame at the door of the Allies' senior military officers and government officials whose actions led to needless suffering and death of their own people. A terrific insight into some of the most vital actions of the Western Allies (hence the series title "The War In The West") as the fortunes of the Second World War swung away from Hitler's Germany. Highly recommended.
December 23, 2018
James Holland continues his superb narrative of the Second World War in western Europe, the Atlantic and North Africa. Unlike most works on the topic, Holland pays close attention to the economic aspects of the war, such as the various countries' industrial and agricultural policies, as well as how they managed (or didn't) their manpower, shipping, raw materials and relations with their allies. His treatment of the war in the Western Desert is especially good for its portrayal of how the air forces fought. Like most British authors, he has his favorite generals in the desert; his choice is the little known Tuker of the 4th Indian Division. His emphasis on the Uboat vs convoy struggle in the Atlantic is also timely. All in all, not only a fine history but a ripping good read as well. Not to be missed for WWII fans.
April 15, 2018
You definitely have to have an appetite for military numerical designations and acronyms because it is loaded with German, British, and American airborne, tank, and ground troop classifications. That slows the reading down, but it is still overall a good narrative. What is most striking is the shortages Germany was already suffering by 1943 and how their Luftwaffe pilots were under such tremendous strain because of so many flights with little relief.
May 24, 2021
Continuación del libro "El auge de Alemania", el autor nos adentra en los años centrales de la Segunda Guerra Mundial para los aliados occidentales. El libro aunque interesante y bien escrito pierde ligeramente el vigor de su antecesor y no nos cuenta historias tan sorprendentes como en el primero, quizás porque los primeros años de la guerra fueron más trágicos e intensos.
No obstante, sigue siendo una lectura interesante y agradable con un estilo muy directo y fácil de leer-
No obstante, sigue siendo una lectura interesante y agradable con un estilo muy directo y fácil de leer-
January 21, 2023
Extremely well researched, detailed, and insightful look at the operational failures of the Third Reich in Operation Barbarossa and the North African campaign. Holland makes an incredibly convincing argument for why Hitler’s war was doomed to fail following the fall of Paris in the early summer of 1940.
Highly recommended read for those interested in WWII political and military history.
Highly recommended read for those interested in WWII political and military history.
April 3, 2024
Another superlative volume from Holland. Informative, well argued, well written, and a great mix of wider history, individual stories, and moments of action. Well worth a read.
September 13, 2020
En utsökt bok och jag ser verkligen fram emot nästa del i serien. Varmt rekommenderad.
January 8, 2018
This is an excellent book. I seem to be a World War II history buff, as I have read a lot of books about World War II. One of my favorites was the first volume in this series by the author, The Rise of Germany, and so, when this. took became available int he States, I just had to have it. I ordered it on the day it became available, in October 2017 and I have just finished it. What is so appealing about the way this author writes about the war in the West? It is not a detailed account of each battle, although it does address the battles, both in terms of what happens and the decision making or lack thereof that went into the battle plans. The author freely expresses his opinion as to whether a war leader is effective or incompetent, and can be very critical when leadership is poor or a leader is completely out of his depth.
It is very good, though, in painting an overall picture of all the factors in play in what was going on in the West, from Germany's attach on Russia (although that is in the East and only peripherally a part of this book), to the victories of the Allies in North Africa and in the Battle of the Atlantic, including the strategy involved, the resources, the decision making, the interplay of leaders and other factors at play. And it does this from all sides, although mostly from the primary parties at play - Great Britain, USA and Germany. The decision making inside Russia is not really a part of this book, but the fact there is a lot of what was going on inside Germany during this period of time is very enlightening.
The other thing that make this an excellent book is that the experiences of individuals involved in the war effort and brought into the story and integrated very well into what was happening at the time, including the perspective of solders from USA and Great Britain, but also individual Germans, leaders, generals pilots, those in charge of industrial output, and more. It brings the war down to a very personal level and makes the story moving and very personal.
If I was to criticize anything in the book it would be the large number of times where he shows that Germany was having its internal problems as well as the Allies. Of course they were, and it is very good to point that out, but the frequency of discussing the problems Germany was having, and even had at the outset of the war to some extent, makes one wonder how the Germans made it as long as they did before they were defeated. Clearly the author had no high opinion of Hitler as a war leader. Maybe some light will be shed in the next volume as to how Germany held out as long as it did, and how it continued to inflict setbacks on the Allies, such as the Battle of the Bulge. But that is a minor criticism, and overall I am sure pretty accurate. I highly recommend this volume and the one that preceded it for an excellent very readable account of the war in the West.
It is very good, though, in painting an overall picture of all the factors in play in what was going on in the West, from Germany's attach on Russia (although that is in the East and only peripherally a part of this book), to the victories of the Allies in North Africa and in the Battle of the Atlantic, including the strategy involved, the resources, the decision making, the interplay of leaders and other factors at play. And it does this from all sides, although mostly from the primary parties at play - Great Britain, USA and Germany. The decision making inside Russia is not really a part of this book, but the fact there is a lot of what was going on inside Germany during this period of time is very enlightening.
The other thing that make this an excellent book is that the experiences of individuals involved in the war effort and brought into the story and integrated very well into what was happening at the time, including the perspective of solders from USA and Great Britain, but also individual Germans, leaders, generals pilots, those in charge of industrial output, and more. It brings the war down to a very personal level and makes the story moving and very personal.
If I was to criticize anything in the book it would be the large number of times where he shows that Germany was having its internal problems as well as the Allies. Of course they were, and it is very good to point that out, but the frequency of discussing the problems Germany was having, and even had at the outset of the war to some extent, makes one wonder how the Germans made it as long as they did before they were defeated. Clearly the author had no high opinion of Hitler as a war leader. Maybe some light will be shed in the next volume as to how Germany held out as long as it did, and how it continued to inflict setbacks on the Allies, such as the Battle of the Bulge. But that is a minor criticism, and overall I am sure pretty accurate. I highly recommend this volume and the one that preceded it for an excellent very readable account of the war in the West.
September 9, 2018
Holland presents a Cliff's Notes version of WWII history focussed on the predominantly on the North African campaign, secondarily on the battle of the Atlantic, and some assorted lesser events along the way such as the raid on the heavy water facility in Norway and an overview of the British bombing campaign fleshed out with a prodigious number of human interest stories along the way. No mention of substance of the Pacific War at all, the war in the East, Stalingrad -- It is an interesting and engaging history albeit frequently mundane. Many of the human interest stories, most of which involve recurrent individuals, do not advance knowledge of the war or understanding of the dynamics and factors. For example, the chapter on the USS Reuben James briefly describes the sinking then segues into an extended narration of the relatively ordinary service of the actor Douglas Fairbanks aboard a destroyer in the Atlantic. He does that throughout the book - Albert Martin, a rifleman in the Eighth Army in North Africa is recurrently brought up, although to no great point. A combat pilot's war fatigue is described. He includes people from both sides - a U-boat Captain, Luftwaffe and RAF pilots, a destroyer captain, individual Italian servicemen, a British housewife. It is an interesting device, but often adds little to the history being narrated - overdone in my opinion.
On the other hand, Holland is fascinating when he describes and explains the technologies in play - tanks, ASW tactics and weaponry, radar, bombers... this is great stuff, and much of it fresh and all of it revealing. He is equally adept at describing command issues - personalities, conflicts, personal strengths and weaknesses. This too is a valuable and compelling contribution to the history of the time. Holland argues - with merit, I think - that Germany had no chance to win the conflict. Germany lacked resources, flexibility of command and governmental institutions, leadership, technology and design... all the things that are necessary to win a modern global conflict. He contrasts Germany's strengths, weaknesses and flaws with those of the Allies (US and UK in particular) and concludes that the final result of the war was essentially foreordained. The wonderful historian Victor Davis Hanson has recently published a book "The Second World Wars: How the First Global Conflict Was Fought and Won" that extensively documents and argues exactly that at far greater length and in more extensive detail than Holland - they are in agreement. I strongly recommend both books!
On the other hand, Holland is fascinating when he describes and explains the technologies in play - tanks, ASW tactics and weaponry, radar, bombers... this is great stuff, and much of it fresh and all of it revealing. He is equally adept at describing command issues - personalities, conflicts, personal strengths and weaknesses. This too is a valuable and compelling contribution to the history of the time. Holland argues - with merit, I think - that Germany had no chance to win the conflict. Germany lacked resources, flexibility of command and governmental institutions, leadership, technology and design... all the things that are necessary to win a modern global conflict. He contrasts Germany's strengths, weaknesses and flaws with those of the Allies (US and UK in particular) and concludes that the final result of the war was essentially foreordained. The wonderful historian Victor Davis Hanson has recently published a book "The Second World Wars: How the First Global Conflict Was Fought and Won" that extensively documents and argues exactly that at far greater length and in more extensive detail than Holland - they are in agreement. I strongly recommend both books!
August 21, 2020
Author James Holland has written another superb history in this second of his World War II trilogy! His style is very enjoyable to read. It is also informative. He weaves together stories of individuals be they politician, diplomat, military leader, soldier, sailor, flyer, civilian, regardless of nationality or Axis or Allied with the chronology and context of the war. It makes for an interesting analysis of World War II. For example he tells the story of German Fighter Ace Hans-Joachim Marseille who recorded his 101st confirmed victory in the North African desert and was awarded Oak Leaves and Swords to his Knight's Cross by Hitler himself. In September 1942 just three days after his 158th confirmed victory, his new ME109G-2 had engine problems and caught fire. He flipped the plane over, and dropped out only to be hit by the stabilizer on the aircraft tail and killed. Later the author explains that the ME109G or Gustav's engine changed from ball bearings to roller bearings as a cost and material cut however that created more friction and the engine would overheat because the synthetic oil Germany had to use was poor. Fighter Ace Marseille was killed by the design fault of the aircraft. The design fault was the direct result of the lack of resources Germany had at this point in the war. Holland states:"The truth was, the NAZI state was actually a rather fragile structure, built on lots of independent and rival organizations" (Holland, p. 130). Germany was resource poor yet it continued to make complicated weapons and tanks that were harder to service in the field. The author points out many such issues with the German strategic approach to logistics throughout the book. He especially points out the lack of mas production capability in Germany. I truly enjoy maps, statistics and lost of characters featured in the book that the author provides up front. Additionally he provides a Glossary, statistical Appendices on the U-Boat war, Combat Aircraft Production and Production, Import and Supply of Oil along with a Timeline from May 1941 through May 1943 at the end of the book. I look forward to the third volume of this informative and interesting history of World War II.
March 13, 2022
“The Allies Strike Back, 1941-43: The war in the West, Vol. 1)” by James Holland (2017, Grove Atlantic). The primary fronts involved here are the Battle of the Atlantic, the North African campaign including Operation Torch, and the bombing campaign in northern Europe. There is a side excursion to the mission that sabotaged the heavy water plant in Norway. It includes the American entry into the war, the development of convoys, the building of the Canadian navy into a powerful escort force, and so on. Most striking, to me, is Holland’s analysis of mistakes both the Allies and the Germans made during various battles. He includes the deepest description I’ve seen about the problem with Major Gen. Lloyd Fredendall, Patton’s predecessor in command of American forces in the Torch invasion: he was not only incompetent, he may have been mentally unstable, and completely out of touch with what was happening in the field. Holland also does not have much use for Montgomery as a tactician: he did a magnificent job rebuilding Eighth Army’s morale and preparing the Alamein campaign, but after that he was far too dilatory. Holland makes it clear that, regarding total resources in men, material, and industrial base, the Germans did not have a chance. Once the Americans really began gearing up, the Axis was going to be outproduced exponentially. In addition, the Wehrmacht was never a strong as it’s been made out to be: most of the infantry moved by horse or foot, not motorized. Churchill’s involvement was nothing compared with Hitler’s micromanagement. Holland also gives credit to the Italians: when properly led they fought valiantly alongside the Germans, who treated them with great contempt. He focuses some attention on Maj. Gen. Francis Tuker, commander of the 4th (Indian) Division, whose ideas about how to conduct the North African campaign were excellent and ignored almost till the end. He uses documents including German and Italian soldiers’ diaries and letters. Interesting to see this side-by-side with Rick Atkinson’s trilogy about the American was in Africa.
https://groveatlantic.com/book/the-al...
April 1, 2025
I have mixed feelings about this book. I read it because the description of it on Amazon and in reader comments indicated that it focused on the resources of the Allies compared to those of the Axis powers in Europe. I've read several books over the years about World War II and this is a topic that I don't recall being covered. Sure enough, there's plenty in this history about fuel, industrial capacity, manpower, quality of weaponry and the like. There are two key points Holland makes throughout the book: that the Allies had superior resources compared to Germany and that Hitler was an awful military strategist. Not the least example of the latter point is his fatal decision to invade the Soviet Union.
The story Holland tells is certainly an interesting one. But I do have some issues with the book. First, there is just way too much detail about equipment; I found myself skimming parts. That may be of great interest to other scholars, but to me, as an amateur reader of history, I was more interested in the conclusions about equipment than the details. Second, Holland covers the battles in North Africa in excruciating detail. Again, that may well appeal to some readers, but not so much to me. In contrast, he does addresss in much more generalize manner the war on the Eastern Front, mostly just to show the drain on German resources. Finally, Holland intersperses descriptions of the experiences of certain selected soldiers and officers. That has become a standard feature of histories of modern warfare, intended to add a human touch But Holland's efforts here seemed to me to be less than effective. Some of the individuals portrayed seem to be more of a distraction and many of these passages weren't smoothly integrated.
The story Holland tells is certainly an interesting one. But I do have some issues with the book. First, there is just way too much detail about equipment; I found myself skimming parts. That may be of great interest to other scholars, but to me, as an amateur reader of history, I was more interested in the conclusions about equipment than the details. Second, Holland covers the battles in North Africa in excruciating detail. Again, that may well appeal to some readers, but not so much to me. In contrast, he does addresss in much more generalize manner the war on the Eastern Front, mostly just to show the drain on German resources. Finally, Holland intersperses descriptions of the experiences of certain selected soldiers and officers. That has become a standard feature of histories of modern warfare, intended to add a human touch But Holland's efforts here seemed to me to be less than effective. Some of the individuals portrayed seem to be more of a distraction and many of these passages weren't smoothly integrated.
June 14, 2018
Massive but entertaining read
Not for the faint of heart! Holland builds on his successful first volume on the War in the West to deftly weave in historic events, human drama and enough tactical and technical detail to satisfy just about any aficionado of WW2. All of this is the necessary “entertainment” to tell the true story of how Allied (and Soviet) production buried the Axis under an implacable and ever-expanding wave of steel, armaments and fuel. Holland clearly enjoys telling this story the most - and it is an under-appreciated chapter of Allied victory - but he clearly recognizes that no one will read a book about production alone; and he realizes that it would be as wrong to focus exclusively on the operational level as other works have erred in focusing exclusively on the strategic or tactical levels. Holland attempts to tell “the whole story” - is it any surprise that he requires three massive tomes to do it? But be warned: you may soon find yourself overwhelmed as you attempt to follow the stories of twenty or thirty individuals as they live out their experiences across the Western Theater of war between 1941 and 1943. It will become confusing: but then, that was the reality of the war. It was a massively confusing and often impenetrable chaos, not the neat lines and convenient dates we learn in schools or the History Channel. It is no wonder that even the best
Not for the faint of heart! Holland builds on his successful first volume on the War in the West to deftly weave in historic events, human drama and enough tactical and technical detail to satisfy just about any aficionado of WW2. All of this is the necessary “entertainment” to tell the true story of how Allied (and Soviet) production buried the Axis under an implacable and ever-expanding wave of steel, armaments and fuel. Holland clearly enjoys telling this story the most - and it is an under-appreciated chapter of Allied victory - but he clearly recognizes that no one will read a book about production alone; and he realizes that it would be as wrong to focus exclusively on the operational level as other works have erred in focusing exclusively on the strategic or tactical levels. Holland attempts to tell “the whole story” - is it any surprise that he requires three massive tomes to do it? But be warned: you may soon find yourself overwhelmed as you attempt to follow the stories of twenty or thirty individuals as they live out their experiences across the Western Theater of war between 1941 and 1943. It will become confusing: but then, that was the reality of the war. It was a massively confusing and often impenetrable chaos, not the neat lines and convenient dates we learn in schools or the History Channel. It is no wonder that even the best
June 24, 2017
The first volume of this history was extraordinarily good and made me look at WWII in ways I had never considered.
While only a keen amateur, I would certainly consider it one of the leading revisionist works in the field.
The second was also good, but failed to reach the heights of the first, if only because (completely understandably) the rationale and approach of the first is continued with little development in the second.
It is difficult to criticise the author for this, it is the basis of his approach, but it simply got a little predictable.
While the first book made me reconsider the importance of the Battle of the Atlantic, the second's detailed reporting on shipping statistics on a monthly basis left me a little fatigued.
The issues he identified in the first book, from weaponry design to oil reserves, are more important than ever before at this stage of the war than previously and so they are repeated.
The enhanced scope of the conflict also leaves coverage of some areas seem a little threadbare.
It's a great book, and I eagerly anticipate the third, but this did not reach the heights of the first.
While only a keen amateur, I would certainly consider it one of the leading revisionist works in the field.
The second was also good, but failed to reach the heights of the first, if only because (completely understandably) the rationale and approach of the first is continued with little development in the second.
It is difficult to criticise the author for this, it is the basis of his approach, but it simply got a little predictable.
While the first book made me reconsider the importance of the Battle of the Atlantic, the second's detailed reporting on shipping statistics on a monthly basis left me a little fatigued.
The issues he identified in the first book, from weaponry design to oil reserves, are more important than ever before at this stage of the war than previously and so they are repeated.
The enhanced scope of the conflict also leaves coverage of some areas seem a little threadbare.
It's a great book, and I eagerly anticipate the third, but this did not reach the heights of the first.
June 13, 2018
after reading volume 1 of this series, I immediately went out and bought volume 2, having been massively impressed. This has continued and I'm looking forward to volume 3. This is very well written and an interesting take on what is probably the most documented historical event ever. The only niggle I have, and it is only a niggle, is that the author's decision to only focus on the second world war in the West, ie Western Europe, has been too difficult - events in the West are constantly affected by events in the East (Germany is ground down by its efforts on the Eastern Front) and the Far East, so these events do have to be referred to, but this is done in a cursory fashion before returning to the narrative, and may be they should be covered in more detail - i'm still really wanting to get hold of the next instalment.
January 6, 2020
This is the second volume of Holland's WW2 history. I found it a terrific read which gave many insights into the logistics of the war - issues rarely considered by other WW2 histories. For example, he argues (most convincingly) that by 1941 it was clear that Hitler had no chance of winning owing to resource constraints. Holland has also taken the effort to focus on battles less analysed - particularly the Mediterranean front and the Atlantic and demonstrates their importance in the final outcome. His narrative is gripping although at times not as polished as volume 1. Maybe he was in a bit of a hurry to get onto volume 3 or perhaps Random House is being scabby with providing editorial assistance. Nevertheless this is a highly readable account of the 'War in the West' (the Pacific theatre is not considered) and deserves a place on modern history buff shelves.
March 15, 2022
Published in 2017, 'The War in the West Volume II - The Allies Fight Back 1941-1943' follows on from the Volume I almost without a join, and covers the war in the Mediterranean, the North Atlantic, and the Bombing of Europe as well as some inevitable mention of the Eastern Front and the Far East insofar as it impacted on the resources called on in the West. An enjoyable read, though not without flaws - technical details are often suspect and some major military formations are misidentified. None of these flaws affects the flow of the narrative, or the way in which facts are interpreted so not a big problem.
January 13, 2025
Overview of World War II from 1941-1943 with an emphasis on the European and Mediterranean theaters.
Why I started this book: Picked it up quickly after starting the first book in the trilogy.
Why I finished it: Solid history, that was great to listen to. My biggest frustration is that it doesn't look like Holland has written the 3rd book. Instead he's written several other books about the various battles and campaigns that should be in that volume. It's almost like there was too much so he's just written specific books instead of finishing his overview. I know that I will like the individual books, but it bothers me to only have two books in a trilogy.
Why I started this book: Picked it up quickly after starting the first book in the trilogy.
Why I finished it: Solid history, that was great to listen to. My biggest frustration is that it doesn't look like Holland has written the 3rd book. Instead he's written several other books about the various battles and campaigns that should be in that volume. It's almost like there was too much so he's just written specific books instead of finishing his overview. I know that I will like the individual books, but it bothers me to only have two books in a trilogy.
February 16, 2025
We had hoped they would send us to England as soon as possible. There was neither a boat neither a plane they could take. Undettered, they worked their way down through German occupied Soviet Union to Odessa on the Black Sea. From Odessa, they took a boat to Istanbul, then a train to Ankara. For two young men who had previously never left Norway, this way quite an adventure. On they went, into Palestine and Egypt. From Egypt, they took a ship to Bombay. This extra-ordinary journey continued: A ship to South Africa end then to Canada, before finally crossing the Atlantic and arriving in Liverpool. It has to rank as one of the most indirect journeys from Norway to England ever undertaken.
March 13, 2021
Just brilliant! A tour de force. Admittedly, I’ve not read much in this period about WW2 but I do feel better informed now. Especially about the N Africa campaign. The coverage of the Battle of the Atlantic was enthralling from both sides, personally, I would have liked to have seen a few Coastal Command personal experiences thrown in here, but that is being incredibly picky. I’m torn now, do I go onto Sicily ‘43 or his Normandy book. James you’ve left me in a dilemma.....
In conclusion, epic, great book, a must read. Onto the next.......!
In conclusion, epic, great book, a must read. Onto the next.......!
October 31, 2024
Listening to James Holland's The War in the West: Volume 2 was like having a masterful historian whisper the intricate details of World War II directly into your ears. This isn't just another dry historical account - it's a meticulously crafted narrative that breathes life into the pivotal years of 1941-42, when the Allies began to turn the tide of the war.
The audiobook format is a game-changer here. Holland's writing, combined with Pugh (the narrator) who clearly understands the weight of the historical material, transforms what could be a dense historical text into a gripping audio experience. The way he moves between strategic overviews and narratives is nothing short of remarkable. You're not just hearing facts; you're experiencing the war through a multi-dimensional lens.
What sets this volume apart - and what comes through beautifully in the audio version - is Holland's approach to historical storytelling. He doesn't just recite dates and troop movements. Instead, he connects the grand strategic picture with the human experience of war. The personal accounts, the behind-the-scenes political maneuvering, the technological developments - all of these elements come together in a way that makes history feel immediate and visceral.
Holland delves into the technological and logistical aspects of the war. Discussions about industrial production, military strategy, and the evolving nature of warfare become surprisingly compelling when narrated with skill and passion. You'll find yourself completely absorbed, whether you're commuting, exercising, or just sitting quietly.
For history buffs, World War II enthusiasts, or anyone who appreciates deeply researched historical narrative, this audiobook is a must-listen. Holland has a gift for making complex historical analysis accessible and engaging. The way he contextualizes the events of 1941-43 part of the war showing how the Allies began to fight back and lay the groundwork for ultimate victory - is nothing short of masterful.
A word of advice: This isn't a casual listen. It demands your attention, but it rewards you with a rich, nuanced understanding of one of the most critical periods of the 20th century. Keep a notebook handy - you'll want to jot down insights, and the audio format makes it easy to pause and reflect.
The audiobook format is a game-changer here. Holland's writing, combined with Pugh (the narrator) who clearly understands the weight of the historical material, transforms what could be a dense historical text into a gripping audio experience. The way he moves between strategic overviews and narratives is nothing short of remarkable. You're not just hearing facts; you're experiencing the war through a multi-dimensional lens.
What sets this volume apart - and what comes through beautifully in the audio version - is Holland's approach to historical storytelling. He doesn't just recite dates and troop movements. Instead, he connects the grand strategic picture with the human experience of war. The personal accounts, the behind-the-scenes political maneuvering, the technological developments - all of these elements come together in a way that makes history feel immediate and visceral.
Holland delves into the technological and logistical aspects of the war. Discussions about industrial production, military strategy, and the evolving nature of warfare become surprisingly compelling when narrated with skill and passion. You'll find yourself completely absorbed, whether you're commuting, exercising, or just sitting quietly.
For history buffs, World War II enthusiasts, or anyone who appreciates deeply researched historical narrative, this audiobook is a must-listen. Holland has a gift for making complex historical analysis accessible and engaging. The way he contextualizes the events of 1941-43 part of the war showing how the Allies began to fight back and lay the groundwork for ultimate victory - is nothing short of masterful.
A word of advice: This isn't a casual listen. It demands your attention, but it rewards you with a rich, nuanced understanding of one of the most critical periods of the 20th century. Keep a notebook handy - you'll want to jot down insights, and the audio format makes it easy to pause and reflect.
November 21, 2017
Another great volume, convincingly arguing that Germany was more or less on the downward slope by 1941/2, and giving much attention to the Atlantic U-Boat raids and the theatre in North Africa, both of which tend to be neglected against the more pivotal campaign in the USSR. It doesn't change or understate the latter's importance, but the focus on the less talked about aspects of the war is appreciated. Looking forward to the third instalment.
June 7, 2018
A good read, though without the crisp writing and narrative of the first.
The whole book felt more like a late draft instead of a final edition. The content and structure were there, but the arrangement felt a little clunky at times, and the writing seemed to be hamstrung by poor editing throughout.
If you can, I would wait for the second edition. A thorough re-edit would do wonders for this book.
The whole book felt more like a late draft instead of a final edition. The content and structure were there, but the arrangement felt a little clunky at times, and the writing seemed to be hamstrung by poor editing throughout.
If you can, I would wait for the second edition. A thorough re-edit would do wonders for this book.
August 19, 2018
The second volume continues te style of the first with the TV style cliff hangers at the end of many sections which as I said about the first book can be a bit repetitive and irritating as we already know the answer to most of these cliff hangers. Despite this the book is a very good and eat read history 'light' book. The characters develop almost like in a novel and you are made to care about them - which I liked. Overall very good book and I'm looking forward to the third installment.
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