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Horrible Histories #22
Woeful Second World War
The Woeful Second World War presents the dire details of a war that affected almost everyone - from old men joining the Dad's Army to the 12 year olds defending Berlin to the bitter end. Find out who made a meal of maggots, or which soldiers were so smelly their enemies could sniff them out.
144 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1999
140 people are currently reading
1277 people want to read
About the author
Terry Deary
828 books829 followersA former actor, theatre-director and drama teacher, Deary says he began writing when he was 29. Most famously, he is one of the authors of the Horrible Histories series of books popular among children for their disgusting details, gory information and humorous pictures and among adults for getting children interested in history. Books in the series have been widely translated into other languages and imitated.
A cartoon series has been made of the series of books and was shown on CiTV for a period in 2002.
The first series of a live-action comedy sketch show of the same name was shown on CBBC in 2009 and a second series is due.
Terry is also known widely throughout children and adult reading groups alike for his True Stories series (see below for series list).
He received an Honorary Doctorate of Education from the University of Sunderland in 2000. His numerous accolades also include the Blue Peter "Best Nonfiction Author of the Century" Award in the U.K.
-Wikipedia
A cartoon series has been made of the series of books and was shown on CiTV for a period in 2002.
The first series of a live-action comedy sketch show of the same name was shown on CBBC in 2009 and a second series is due.
Terry is also known widely throughout children and adult reading groups alike for his True Stories series (see below for series list).
He received an Honorary Doctorate of Education from the University of Sunderland in 2000. His numerous accolades also include the Blue Peter "Best Nonfiction Author of the Century" Award in the U.K.
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
April 1, 2023
تاریخ ما را یاری می کند به گذشته بازگردیم،وحشت آن را مشاهده کنیم و همان عبارتی را به خودمان یادآور شویم که بر دروازه دهکده نابود شده ی اورادوسورگلان نقش بسته است:
"به خاطر بسپار"
"به خاطر بسپار"
May 16, 2022
Fainai buvo prisiminti vaikystę, kai šitas knygutes imdavau iš bibliotekos, o tada ieškodavau, kur dingo, nes tėtis pasiėmęs jau kikendavo. Išlaiko laiko išbandymą savo smagumo prasme, tik kad jau istorijos žinomos ir girdėtos. Bet vis tiek fainas reikalas tikrai.
Read
September 29, 2009I thought this was an excellent book.
Up until this book my sole experience of Terry Deary was a free CD off a cereal packet--I think it was bits from Vicious Vikings--read by Deary himself. I wasn't impressed. OK, a wee bit of history was coming through. And it was entertaining. But it was hard to weed out the bad puns and jokey padding.
I've revised my opinion of him based on The Woeful Second World War. Although it doesn't really give you a clear chronological overview of the war, it achieves other worthwhile aims remarkably well:
1) Deary gives you some idea of the scale of the war, no mean feat: of the true global nature of the war, of the unimaginable number of casualties both military and civilian, of the atrocities, of the heroism, of the hardship.
2) Deary does an awesome job of representing people as people: some good, some bad, some a little of both, but never simpy baddies or goodies based on nationality or credo. A good example is the way he deals with the firebombing of Dresden, describing the entire event as though it took place in London. He identifies the real city at the last minute--AFTER you've imagined it all taking place on home soil (for us readers in Great Britain). And, oh, whoops. We were the baddies this time.
The obvious baddies, the individual crazy minds capable of committing unthinkable evil, are not spared. They're ridiculed and scorned and condemned. But Deary never lets you map the sins of any lunatic individual onto his or her countrymen simply because they share a nationality--or even because they share a dogma.
Martin Brown's excellent illustrations help a lot, I think, to maintain the neutrality and the ordinariness of civilians. It's a book aimed at kids, of course, and I think it's really easy to look at the people pictured here and think of them as your neighbors, or your schoolmates, or your gran.
As with many British kids' books focussed on WWII, it's a bit lacking in Pacific Rim info. I keep hammering into my own American children (who have grown up in the UK) that yes, there WERE concentration camps on American soil in which normal American civilians were imprisoned based on their Japanese heritage. (Ok, Manzanar Does Not Equal Auschwitz. But it's still a violation of human rights.) And somehow the atomic bombs and their aftermath have not made it into my daughter's cultural literacy as this did into mine. But I'd still recommend this book as an excellent overview and intro to the horrors and heroics of the Second World War.
The book's final image is a vignette showing two figures in silhouette: a child apparently wearing a GI's helmet, holding hands with a bareheaded man who may be the soldier whose helmet the child wears. They're walking through a scenic landscape with an intact, pretty village in the distance, and the child says in a speech bubble: "Why is it that the ones who most need to remember are the ones most likely to forget?"
Up until this book my sole experience of Terry Deary was a free CD off a cereal packet--I think it was bits from Vicious Vikings--read by Deary himself. I wasn't impressed. OK, a wee bit of history was coming through. And it was entertaining. But it was hard to weed out the bad puns and jokey padding.
I've revised my opinion of him based on The Woeful Second World War. Although it doesn't really give you a clear chronological overview of the war, it achieves other worthwhile aims remarkably well:
1) Deary gives you some idea of the scale of the war, no mean feat: of the true global nature of the war, of the unimaginable number of casualties both military and civilian, of the atrocities, of the heroism, of the hardship.
2) Deary does an awesome job of representing people as people: some good, some bad, some a little of both, but never simpy baddies or goodies based on nationality or credo. A good example is the way he deals with the firebombing of Dresden, describing the entire event as though it took place in London. He identifies the real city at the last minute--AFTER you've imagined it all taking place on home soil (for us readers in Great Britain). And, oh, whoops. We were the baddies this time.
The obvious baddies, the individual crazy minds capable of committing unthinkable evil, are not spared. They're ridiculed and scorned and condemned. But Deary never lets you map the sins of any lunatic individual onto his or her countrymen simply because they share a nationality--or even because they share a dogma.
Martin Brown's excellent illustrations help a lot, I think, to maintain the neutrality and the ordinariness of civilians. It's a book aimed at kids, of course, and I think it's really easy to look at the people pictured here and think of them as your neighbors, or your schoolmates, or your gran.
As with many British kids' books focussed on WWII, it's a bit lacking in Pacific Rim info. I keep hammering into my own American children (who have grown up in the UK) that yes, there WERE concentration camps on American soil in which normal American civilians were imprisoned based on their Japanese heritage. (Ok, Manzanar Does Not Equal Auschwitz. But it's still a violation of human rights.) And somehow the atomic bombs and their aftermath have not made it into my daughter's cultural literacy as this did into mine. But I'd still recommend this book as an excellent overview and intro to the horrors and heroics of the Second World War.
The book's final image is a vignette showing two figures in silhouette: a child apparently wearing a GI's helmet, holding hands with a bareheaded man who may be the soldier whose helmet the child wears. They're walking through a scenic landscape with an intact, pretty village in the distance, and the child says in a speech bubble: "Why is it that the ones who most need to remember are the ones most likely to forget?"
June 6, 2025
واقعاً فوقالعاده بود! تری دیری با همون سبک خاص و طنز تاریخی خودش تونسته یکی از تلخترین دورههای تاریخ رو به زبونی جذاب و قابل فهم روایت کنه. هم سرگرمکننده بود، هم پر از اطلاعات جالب و عجیب که واقعاً آدم رو درگیر میکرد. خوندنش هم راحت بود و هم لذتبخش، مخصوصاً برای کسی که به تاریخ علاقهمنده. بدون شک یکی از بهترین کتابهای تاریخیای بود که خوندم. کاملاً توصیه میکنم به هر کسی که دنبال یه جور یادگیری سرگرمکننده و متفاوته!
May 15, 2019
Are you ready for the Woeful Second World War?
I just adore these Horrible Histories books. I have been reading them on and off for years. I know I even bought them when I was younger (though in Dutch as back then my English was pretty terrible and basic). These days I just re-read them, as sadly they don't make them any more. :(
While the cover for this one put me off, my edition has some terrible CBBC series cover on it that would make anyone run away from this book. But no me, as I know what is inside these books. Though believe me, I was still worried there may be more terrible photographs inside (thankfully, no).
This one was familiar to me, so I am guessing I probably read it in either Dutch or English a long time ago. It was still very interesting to read as many aspects of the WWII pass by. A lot of books about WWII specifically talk about one part of it, but this one picks up many (if not all). From the Holocaust and what happened to the Jews (and also others who didn't fit the right image) to Britain and Dad's (Barmy) Army to Dutch East Indies to Japan to Rusland. From The Resistance to Hitler to Axis/Allies to people from various cities. I really love how they managed to stuff so much in such a small book. Then again, that is one thing I love about HH (and also the other series). You learn much, but don't have to dig through endless pages. These books give you the nitty gritty, the best bits (well, if you want to call war the best bits, but I guess you guys know what I mean), it is all very compact, and I just love that.
There is also a dash of humour, which may seem very tasteless given the topic, but it was very tastefully done. Just like all the other HH books. They treat the topic with respect but also try to add funny bits to make it less dry. With comics, with funny bits that most books wouldn't add to their pages, with jokes, with fun quizzes, with puns. The illustrations also help a lot. Martin Brown's illustrations are just perfect.
I just adore that we have quizzes in this book, though I don't always participate in them these days. I used to try to solve them, but these days I just skip to the answers. :P I know, terrible of me, but I just can't resist. And in my defence, I already read these books, so I already did the quizzes the right way at least once.
All in all, if you want to know more about WWII and love a dash of humour, try out this book (and the rest).
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I just adore these Horrible Histories books. I have been reading them on and off for years. I know I even bought them when I was younger (though in Dutch as back then my English was pretty terrible and basic). These days I just re-read them, as sadly they don't make them any more. :(
While the cover for this one put me off, my edition has some terrible CBBC series cover on it that would make anyone run away from this book. But no me, as I know what is inside these books. Though believe me, I was still worried there may be more terrible photographs inside (thankfully, no).
This one was familiar to me, so I am guessing I probably read it in either Dutch or English a long time ago. It was still very interesting to read as many aspects of the WWII pass by. A lot of books about WWII specifically talk about one part of it, but this one picks up many (if not all). From the Holocaust and what happened to the Jews (and also others who didn't fit the right image) to Britain and Dad's (Barmy) Army to Dutch East Indies to Japan to Rusland. From The Resistance to Hitler to Axis/Allies to people from various cities. I really love how they managed to stuff so much in such a small book. Then again, that is one thing I love about HH (and also the other series). You learn much, but don't have to dig through endless pages. These books give you the nitty gritty, the best bits (well, if you want to call war the best bits, but I guess you guys know what I mean), it is all very compact, and I just love that.
There is also a dash of humour, which may seem very tasteless given the topic, but it was very tastefully done. Just like all the other HH books. They treat the topic with respect but also try to add funny bits to make it less dry. With comics, with funny bits that most books wouldn't add to their pages, with jokes, with fun quizzes, with puns. The illustrations also help a lot. Martin Brown's illustrations are just perfect.
I just adore that we have quizzes in this book, though I don't always participate in them these days. I used to try to solve them, but these days I just skip to the answers. :P I know, terrible of me, but I just can't resist. And in my defence, I already read these books, so I already did the quizzes the right way at least once.
All in all, if you want to know more about WWII and love a dash of humour, try out this book (and the rest).
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
September 17, 2021
مجموعهی تاریخ ترسناک ثابت میکنه که برای کمدی بودن همهچیز شاید نیازی نباشه تاریخ دوبار تکرار شه. همون یکبار هم میتونه در اوج فجیع بودن، کمدی باشه. فقط کافیه نگاهمون به ماجراها رو عوض کنیم
حقایق فجیع و هولناک با زبان طنز در کنار اتفاقات جالب و باورنکردنی کتاب خوبی رو ساخته که ما رو علاوه بر بردن به دل ماجراها و وقایع با اتفاقات تاریخی که شاید کمتر جایی بهشون اشاره بشه آشنا میکنه.
حقایق فجیع و هولناک با زبان طنز در کنار اتفاقات جالب و باورنکردنی کتاب خوبی رو ساخته که ما رو علاوه بر بردن به دل ماجراها و وقایع با اتفاقات تاریخی که شاید کمتر جایی بهشون اشاره بشه آشنا میکنه.
April 28, 2018
It’s hard to say that you enjoyed a book like this because it’s a sad old read due its very nature. For example, you learn about kids getting shot for desertion and the horrors of the holocaust, and while this book is aimed at younger children, it doesn’t attempt to sugar coat it. And nor should it.
I read this book for the first time as an adult and I feel like I learned a lot. It’s important to remember the horrors of the Second World War, and books like this are important because they help to make sure that the next generation won’t unknowingly make the same mistakes. Though there’s no saying what people might do knowingly. Well worth reading.
I read this book for the first time as an adult and I feel like I learned a lot. It’s important to remember the horrors of the Second World War, and books like this are important because they help to make sure that the next generation won’t unknowingly make the same mistakes. Though there’s no saying what people might do knowingly. Well worth reading.
January 13, 2026
4.0
Another kids book, so what?
Such nostalgia, but I genuinely mean it when I say that the London/Dresden name change story midway through the book about the Allied war crimes they commited against civilians n Dresden is one of the most impactful ways I have ever read about that atrocity.
Another kids book, so what?
Such nostalgia, but I genuinely mean it when I say that the London/Dresden name change story midway through the book about the Allied war crimes they commited against civilians n Dresden is one of the most impactful ways I have ever read about that atrocity.
January 19, 2021
Iconic tbh
December 4, 2013
As one of the original series of Terry Deary's Horrible Histories, "The Woeful Second World War" describes the timeline, causes and key points of the second world war in a humorous yet tasteful way that both appeals to older primary school students and brings home the terrible nature of war.
It begins with a run through of the key events of WWII in chronological order, interspersed with funny cartoons to avoid a simple list of dates. This is, most would agree, Deary's defining feature of his books and can help to lighten a subject which is often perceived as intense or over-intellectual.
Although these strips are sometimes hilarious, great care is taken not to be inappropriate when discussing graphic content. The section on the holocaust, for example, uses cartoons to engage the reader without even the slightest hint of humour in order to really highlight the awful events that occurred.
I thoroughly enjoyed these books as a child, and would read them in my own time. This, I have always thought, is a great achievement of Deary's. To get a boy with a relatively short attention span to sit and learn about history without being told seems to be a holy grail of education, but he has managed it.
Although the quantity of information within the book may make it hard to read as a class, this book and others in its series would make great solo or small group reads, especially for more talented readers of a primary school age.
It begins with a run through of the key events of WWII in chronological order, interspersed with funny cartoons to avoid a simple list of dates. This is, most would agree, Deary's defining feature of his books and can help to lighten a subject which is often perceived as intense or over-intellectual.
Although these strips are sometimes hilarious, great care is taken not to be inappropriate when discussing graphic content. The section on the holocaust, for example, uses cartoons to engage the reader without even the slightest hint of humour in order to really highlight the awful events that occurred.
I thoroughly enjoyed these books as a child, and would read them in my own time. This, I have always thought, is a great achievement of Deary's. To get a boy with a relatively short attention span to sit and learn about history without being told seems to be a holy grail of education, but he has managed it.
Although the quantity of information within the book may make it hard to read as a class, this book and others in its series would make great solo or small group reads, especially for more talented readers of a primary school age.
January 11, 2013
There is really no better way to get kids interested in history than by giving them a Terry Deary Horrible Histories! I loved these books as a kid and I love to collect them now. Deary's take on history is hilarious and interesting. It may not all be true but you definitely learn something!
September 15, 2015
تاریخ هیچ گاه اینچنین ترسناک نبوده است!!!
کتاب بسیار جالب و هیجان انگیزی بود من این کتاب را برای کسانی که از جنگ بیزار اند توصیه نمی کنم!
کتاب بسیار جالب و هیجان انگیزی بود من این کتاب را برای کسانی که از جنگ بیزار اند توصیه نمی کنم!
May 27, 2023
به نام او
این سری کتاب کلاً عالیه. فقط باید توجه داشت نویسنده انگلیسی هست و در بعضی کتابها به خصوص این جلد (جنگ جهانی دوم) روایتی دقیق و بیطرفانه نداره
این سری کتاب کلاً عالیه. فقط باید توجه داشت نویسنده انگلیسی هست و در بعضی کتابها به خصوص این جلد (جنگ جهانی دوم) روایتی دقیق و بیطرفانه نداره
March 19, 2019
عالی بوددددددددددددد
January 31, 2020
Conta a História da WW2 muito detalhadamente
September 27, 2021
The reason this one gets such a low score is me rising the bar very high for Horrible Histories books.
I know what and how Terry Deary writes and and i am really big fan of him , however as a critical reader i consider this volume below par ; though it probides valuable ideas and gimmicks from WW2 i just felt it was hollow compared to oher titles.
I felt like this book just tip toed around such a huge event in the history of man kind.
I know what and how Terry Deary writes and and i am really big fan of him , however as a critical reader i consider this volume below par ; though it probides valuable ideas and gimmicks from WW2 i just felt it was hollow compared to oher titles.
I felt like this book just tip toed around such a huge event in the history of man kind.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2023
I enjoyed the side stories like serving cats or even people due to lack of beef. Interesting to learn that alot of children were abandoned after they came back from the countries.
March 27, 2024
one of the best books out there and i will die on this hill thank you very much.
July 12, 2016
Beli buku ini juga pada awalnya karena panik liat anak sendiri gak doyan baca. Kebetulan dia suka acara TV series-nya, jadi saya pikir ini bisa jadi jembatan untuk menumbuhkan minat baca. Bukunya penuh gambar, banyak model komik, atau tulisan tangan, pokoknya rame, walau hitam putih. Jadi menurut saya udah menarik banget kalau dibandingkan dengan Enid Blyton di Indonesia waktu jaman saya seumur dia.
Tapi ternyata dia kurang suka. Dan karena buku ini dibiarkan begitu saja tergeletak di mana2 di rumah, dan karena saya abis baca Captain Correlli's Mandolin yang setting-nya WW2, saya jadi penasaran.
Aih..ternyata isinya berat yah...Terlalu berat utk anak under 10 rasanya. Beda kalau liat TV dibikin konyol2 berdarah2, tapi kalau ditulis jadi serius dan agak gloomy, walau penulis udah berusaha keras bikin cerita jadi ceria. Habis gimana ya..memang topiknya perang gitu lho.
Sebagai adult reader sih saya sangat enjoy. Penulis tidak menulis dengan berpihak, tapi adil untuk kedua belah pihak. War brings out the worst side of human being but also the best in others.
Banyak fakta yang dibikin lelucon, gimana Hitler and Stalin tadinya best friend, tapi terus Hitler berkhianat dan menyerang Soviet. DI samping2nya digambar Stalin dengan kumisnya yang dibuat dari brush, soalnya emang tebel banget. Sementara kumis Hitler dari sikat gigi.
Fakta2 yg bikin angkat alis, bahwa Hitler sayang binatang, melarang perlakuan keji, eksperimen thd binatang, tapi it's ok kalau eksperimen sama org Yahudi. Cerita2 personal seperti sebuah keluarga yang mau mengubur kakeknya, tapi gak punya peti, akhirnya digulung begitu aja dengan karpet digotong keluar. Pas tiba2 ada serangan udara, terpaksa mereka ngumpet dan ninggalin kakeknya begitu aja di jalan, pas mau diambil lagi udah hilang...halah
Cerita hantu ttg sebuah tank yang dengan selamat menmpuh ladang yg penuh ranjau yang ditanam, karena mengikuti seorang prajurit yang menuntun mereka berjalan zig-zag, padahal saksi mata tidak melihat prajurit itu..wah...cerita-cerita bohong yang dijadikan propaganda, makanan-makanan darurat spt anjing liar, bahkan..ehem...mayat org..bagaimana anak2 direkrut jadi tentara karena negara sudah kehabisan tentara yg mati di medan perang. Ini semua kadang2 dikemas dalam bentuk kuis. Jadi kita gak melulu baca komik, or baca tulisan, tapi juga interaktif.
Dan lagi-lagi penulis berulang kali berlaku fair, dia bercerita tentang serangan udara yang terjadi pada sebuah sirkus, kuda2 yang dihias warna-warni mati bertumpuk2 oleh serangan udara pasukan Jerman, badut, tenda-tenda, anak-anak dan keluarganya yang sedang asik pergi demi melihat secuil entertainment di masa yang luar biasa suram...terbunuh
..hais..ngebayanginnya aja sedih banget... and di akhir bagian itu dia tulis, tapi sebenarnya yang diserang adalah sebuah kota di Dresden, Jerman dan the bad guy is tentara sekutu!! Alamak...
Penulis meng-highlight betapa prejudice adalah senjata yang paling berbahaya :( dan semuanya itu dia lakukan dengan luwes, tanpa menggurui.
Dia juga bercerita tentang orang-orang Jerman yang berusaha melawan Hitler, namun dibunuh, yang laki-laki digantung , perempuan guillotine. Entah kenapa harus dibedakan sesuai gender. Juga cerita bittersweet, di mana seorang pasukan Polandia yang waktu itu di bawah NAZI, naik ke loteng, melihat 20 lebih org Yahudi yang ngumpet dalam kegelapan, tapi kemudian turun dan melapor kepada atasannya yg NAZI, no, there's no one.
Di sini saya juga membaca tentang suatu episode di mana para penduduk desa, laki2, perempuan, anak2 dikumpulkan, ditembak secara massal, dikurung dalam sebuah Gereja di Prancis, desa Oradour-sur-Glane dan dibakar oleh pasukan Jerman, yang merupakan setting film The Reader yang dibintangi Kate Winslett. Ini merupakan balas dendam NAZI karena seorang prajurit SS (pasukan khusus NAZI) ditangkap oleh pasukan resistance Prancis.
...And..ternyata belakangan baru ketahuan kalau desanya salah...yg bener mestinya desa Oradour-sur-Vayres, yang letaknya berlawanan dari sur-Glane (;_;)..alamakjan
Epilogue-nya juga membuat kita berpikir panjang, dengan analisa yang smart.
In 1939 most people really believed that wars were fought only by soldiers. The 2nd WW changed that forever. Wars were being fought by everyone;people in the cities as well as men on the battlefields. An America said, "Total wars are won by the side with the biggest factories."
(snip)
In the 2nd WW it had become easier to kill someone when all you had to do was push a button and drop a bomb. You'd never see the suffering you caused.
(snip)
That's why truly horrible history can be so important. It helps us to look back at the horror and say the single word from the memorial at the destroyed village of Oradour-sur-Glane: REMEMBER
Dan ini semua diakhiri dengan sebuah illustrasi seorang bapak dan anak yg bergandengan tangan, dg comment bubble si anak bertanya pada bapaknya, "Why is it that the ones who most need to remember are the ones most likely to forget?"
....DALEEEEEEMMMMM...
Tapi ternyata dia kurang suka. Dan karena buku ini dibiarkan begitu saja tergeletak di mana2 di rumah, dan karena saya abis baca Captain Correlli's Mandolin yang setting-nya WW2, saya jadi penasaran.
Aih..ternyata isinya berat yah...Terlalu berat utk anak under 10 rasanya. Beda kalau liat TV dibikin konyol2 berdarah2, tapi kalau ditulis jadi serius dan agak gloomy, walau penulis udah berusaha keras bikin cerita jadi ceria. Habis gimana ya..memang topiknya perang gitu lho.
Sebagai adult reader sih saya sangat enjoy. Penulis tidak menulis dengan berpihak, tapi adil untuk kedua belah pihak. War brings out the worst side of human being but also the best in others.
Banyak fakta yang dibikin lelucon, gimana Hitler and Stalin tadinya best friend, tapi terus Hitler berkhianat dan menyerang Soviet. DI samping2nya digambar Stalin dengan kumisnya yang dibuat dari brush, soalnya emang tebel banget. Sementara kumis Hitler dari sikat gigi.
Fakta2 yg bikin angkat alis, bahwa Hitler sayang binatang, melarang perlakuan keji, eksperimen thd binatang, tapi it's ok kalau eksperimen sama org Yahudi. Cerita2 personal seperti sebuah keluarga yang mau mengubur kakeknya, tapi gak punya peti, akhirnya digulung begitu aja dengan karpet digotong keluar. Pas tiba2 ada serangan udara, terpaksa mereka ngumpet dan ninggalin kakeknya begitu aja di jalan, pas mau diambil lagi udah hilang...halah
Cerita hantu ttg sebuah tank yang dengan selamat menmpuh ladang yg penuh ranjau yang ditanam, karena mengikuti seorang prajurit yang menuntun mereka berjalan zig-zag, padahal saksi mata tidak melihat prajurit itu..wah...cerita-cerita bohong yang dijadikan propaganda, makanan-makanan darurat spt anjing liar, bahkan..ehem...mayat org..bagaimana anak2 direkrut jadi tentara karena negara sudah kehabisan tentara yg mati di medan perang. Ini semua kadang2 dikemas dalam bentuk kuis. Jadi kita gak melulu baca komik, or baca tulisan, tapi juga interaktif.
Dan lagi-lagi penulis berulang kali berlaku fair, dia bercerita tentang serangan udara yang terjadi pada sebuah sirkus, kuda2 yang dihias warna-warni mati bertumpuk2 oleh serangan udara pasukan Jerman, badut, tenda-tenda, anak-anak dan keluarganya yang sedang asik pergi demi melihat secuil entertainment di masa yang luar biasa suram...terbunuh
..hais..ngebayanginnya aja sedih banget... and di akhir bagian itu dia tulis, tapi sebenarnya yang diserang adalah sebuah kota di Dresden, Jerman dan the bad guy is tentara sekutu!! Alamak...
Penulis meng-highlight betapa prejudice adalah senjata yang paling berbahaya :( dan semuanya itu dia lakukan dengan luwes, tanpa menggurui.
Dia juga bercerita tentang orang-orang Jerman yang berusaha melawan Hitler, namun dibunuh, yang laki-laki digantung , perempuan guillotine. Entah kenapa harus dibedakan sesuai gender. Juga cerita bittersweet, di mana seorang pasukan Polandia yang waktu itu di bawah NAZI, naik ke loteng, melihat 20 lebih org Yahudi yang ngumpet dalam kegelapan, tapi kemudian turun dan melapor kepada atasannya yg NAZI, no, there's no one.
Di sini saya juga membaca tentang suatu episode di mana para penduduk desa, laki2, perempuan, anak2 dikumpulkan, ditembak secara massal, dikurung dalam sebuah Gereja di Prancis, desa Oradour-sur-Glane dan dibakar oleh pasukan Jerman, yang merupakan setting film The Reader yang dibintangi Kate Winslett. Ini merupakan balas dendam NAZI karena seorang prajurit SS (pasukan khusus NAZI) ditangkap oleh pasukan resistance Prancis.
...And..ternyata belakangan baru ketahuan kalau desanya salah...yg bener mestinya desa Oradour-sur-Vayres, yang letaknya berlawanan dari sur-Glane (;_;)..alamakjan
Epilogue-nya juga membuat kita berpikir panjang, dengan analisa yang smart.
In 1939 most people really believed that wars were fought only by soldiers. The 2nd WW changed that forever. Wars were being fought by everyone;people in the cities as well as men on the battlefields. An America said, "Total wars are won by the side with the biggest factories."
(snip)
In the 2nd WW it had become easier to kill someone when all you had to do was push a button and drop a bomb. You'd never see the suffering you caused.
(snip)
That's why truly horrible history can be so important. It helps us to look back at the horror and say the single word from the memorial at the destroyed village of Oradour-sur-Glane: REMEMBER
Dan ini semua diakhiri dengan sebuah illustrasi seorang bapak dan anak yg bergandengan tangan, dg comment bubble si anak bertanya pada bapaknya, "Why is it that the ones who most need to remember are the ones most likely to forget?"
....DALEEEEEEMMMMM...
April 5, 2017
What I really enjoyed about this one is that it acknowledges that both sides in the war committed atrocities.
Less funny than the previous two I have read in the series but the subject matter is closer to home and more recent too. A young historian could learn more from this book than from a term of history class in school. We all need to remember World War 2 so we don't repeat it.
Less funny than the previous two I have read in the series but the subject matter is closer to home and more recent too. A young historian could learn more from this book than from a term of history class in school. We all need to remember World War 2 so we don't repeat it.
Read
April 3, 2019I read this book for teaching purposes on a long commute and it was great in putting me back in the minds of children and seeing how to present such a difficult topic in an adapted and engaging way that does justice to the indeed 'Woeful Second World War'.
January 13, 2020
The Woeful Second World War presents the dire details of a war that affected almost everyone - from old men joining the Dad's Army to the 12 year olds defending Berlin to the bitter end. Find out who made a meal of maggots, or which soldiers were so smelly their enemies could sniff them out.
Like my last trip into the horrible histories with the first world war, this book hit home a lot harder as it was one of the cruelest moments of recent history. As it might be quite obvious by now I'm a huge lover of history, i have my favourite time periods but the two world wars have a strong hold on me. Dispite all the horrible things that happened it was also a very fascinating bit of history. And i knew the basics of this war from the beginning to the end and the battles and the to the weapons/vehicles. But as I've come to learn with these books theres loads i didn't know, and it's a nice surprise. One thing i have to touch on here before i wrap up is i want to say just how honest this book is, now i know i said the same about the last but im saying it again here to reinforce the idea that "what happend was wrong and disgusting and should never happen again ever) I know it's true to say that history tends to repeat it's self but i hope the horrors of two world wars and the last being the tipping point that, these things never happen again. I know as of writing this "13th jan 2020" there's a potentially of a 3rd world war and i just want to say " lets try and learn from our past otherwise the next war will end in ruin for both side" if you need more help believing that then google Elbert Einsteins world war quote. As for this book it's history but true, it's cruel but honest, it's just wonderful with a terrible subject matter simpley put.
5/5 Stars on GoodReads 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
100/100 GingerPoints 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Like my last trip into the horrible histories with the first world war, this book hit home a lot harder as it was one of the cruelest moments of recent history. As it might be quite obvious by now I'm a huge lover of history, i have my favourite time periods but the two world wars have a strong hold on me. Dispite all the horrible things that happened it was also a very fascinating bit of history. And i knew the basics of this war from the beginning to the end and the battles and the to the weapons/vehicles. But as I've come to learn with these books theres loads i didn't know, and it's a nice surprise. One thing i have to touch on here before i wrap up is i want to say just how honest this book is, now i know i said the same about the last but im saying it again here to reinforce the idea that "what happend was wrong and disgusting and should never happen again ever) I know it's true to say that history tends to repeat it's self but i hope the horrors of two world wars and the last being the tipping point that, these things never happen again. I know as of writing this "13th jan 2020" there's a potentially of a 3rd world war and i just want to say " lets try and learn from our past otherwise the next war will end in ruin for both side" if you need more help believing that then google Elbert Einsteins world war quote. As for this book it's history but true, it's cruel but honest, it's just wonderful with a terrible subject matter simpley put.
5/5 Stars on GoodReads 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
100/100 GingerPoints 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
October 19, 2025
In 1933, German elections won by the National Socialist party - Nat-so, or Nazi party, for short, and they are led by Adolf Hitler. They have enemies like soviets, France, and Britain, but has friends like Italy. Germans start awesome, but when they broke the peace promise to Soviet, the Soviets started the long bloody push towards Berlin, and this is the start of Germans downfall.
Soviets, Brits, and French people surround Berlin, so Adolf kills his family and himself, and Germany surrenders. US army bombed Japan, so Japan surrendered, and the war is over.
I really enjoyed this book because it tells us amazing history with funny and horrible situations.
Soviets, Brits, and French people surround Berlin, so Adolf kills his family and himself, and Germany surrenders. US army bombed Japan, so Japan surrendered, and the war is over.
I really enjoyed this book because it tells us amazing history with funny and horrible situations.
September 8, 2015
As a child history was one of my favourite school subjects thus making Horrible Histories the perfect books for me.
Nowadays children have the television series yet I belong to the older group that had the books. Personally, I believe any child who has an interest in history should give these books a go. They’re truly gripping and so many topics are covered.
Honestly, Horrible Histories are well worth a read.
Nowadays children have the television series yet I belong to the older group that had the books. Personally, I believe any child who has an interest in history should give these books a go. They’re truly gripping and so many topics are covered.
Honestly, Horrible Histories are well worth a read.
Read
November 28, 2019We liked a lot all the anecdotes and foul facts presents all along the book. However a little negative point is the illustrations which are just black and white, we think that if the illustrations were colored, the book would be more lively.Even if the subject is serious, the book is full of humor and it seems to
Educate people to think of what matters but without being guilt-stricken.
Educate people to think of what matters but without being guilt-stricken.
November 11, 2024
It's a book I recommend not just for fellows and students...but also for adults, and mostly those who think they know nearly everything about that history: it offers many different hints and points of view.
Very nice (black) humour, and a serious inquiry about the worst aspects of war.
Very nice (black) humour, and a serious inquiry about the worst aspects of war.
August 15, 2009
เหมือนเล่ม 1 (หมายถึงสงครามโลกครั้งที 1) ที่เล่าเหตุการณ์สงครามคร่าวๆ แต่เน้นไปที่วิถีชีวิตอันยากลำบากของผู้คนในยุคสงครามแทน
เป็นหนังสือสำหรับเด็กที่ผู้ใหญ่ก็อ่านสนุกจริงๆ (หรือเฉพาะเรานะ?)
เป็นหนังสือสำหรับเด็กที่ผู้ใหญ่ก็อ่านสนุกจริงๆ (หรือเฉพาะเรานะ?)
September 25, 2018
I was attracted by this cute cover, the big rat. In the book, there are lots of funny pictures and interesting language, even it is a serious topic, but it never make people feel boring.
December 6, 2021
One of the stronger books in the series.
November 6, 2019
The “woeful Second World War” is all about war and also facts that are funny it tells true stories that happened in the war it talks about the different fights in the war but it wasn’t all happy and funny there were times where the book did not make a joke about what happened after they told the story or how innocent people died.
I would say that the book horrible histories woeful Second World War was really amazing and very hilarious it talks about the funniest jokes like how a woman locked a man that had facial hair like hitler and she called the police on him but he was not in trouble but here is a scary one a man told a girl to go somewhere with a letter and deliver it and he said do not open it she reported it to the police after a little one of the police came and gave the family the opened letter and it said here is the last one I am going to send you today was it a kidnapping it said that the man who should have got the letter would eat rotten flesh anyway very spooky story anyway I would recommend this book to anybody who would like to know things about WW2 in an appropriate way.
I would say that the book horrible histories woeful Second World War was really amazing and very hilarious it talks about the funniest jokes like how a woman locked a man that had facial hair like hitler and she called the police on him but he was not in trouble but here is a scary one a man told a girl to go somewhere with a letter and deliver it and he said do not open it she reported it to the police after a little one of the police came and gave the family the opened letter and it said here is the last one I am going to send you today was it a kidnapping it said that the man who should have got the letter would eat rotten flesh anyway very spooky story anyway I would recommend this book to anybody who would like to know things about WW2 in an appropriate way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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