The World War II Desk Reference

by Douglas Brinkley (Director)

More than 12 million American men and women entered the U.S. armed forces during World War II, and millions more worked and sacrificed at home to help the Allied cause to defeat the Axis powers. At the close of the war, America had become the leading nation on the global stage, and its veterans returned home to forge a vibrant postwar society. Written under the direction of two distinguished historians, The World War II Desk Reference explains in clear prose, backed by rosters of statistics, time lines, and maps, the global cataclysm that was World War II. But this volume is not a typical almanac. With material ranging from battlefronts to important military commanders to armaments, among the backdrop of all the necessary political, social, and economic factors, Douglas Brinkley and Michael E. Haskew's reference will prove invaluable to readers. Photographs, lists, time lines, tables, glossaries, and maps encapsulate many pieces of complicated information, making The World War II Desk Reference immensely browsable. The book also includes a helpful resource on national World War II monuments, organizations, and museums. Throughout the book, you'll find oral histories culled from several sources, including the Eisenhower Center for American Studies at the University of New Orleans, which holds the world's largest repository of valuable letters, journals, and other war-related records. Excerpted from those who fought on both sides, these accounts add a deeply touching, profoundly personal dimension seldom found in other books on World War II. In a modern world plagued by terrorism, dictators, and weapons of mass destruction, Brinkley and Haskew's seminal work reminds us that America's role in World War II led to a truly monumental victory. For World War II enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone interested in our nation's history, this is the one book to own.

Genres: History, Reference, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, War, World War II, World History

592 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Douglas Brinkley is a professor of history at Rice University and a contributing editor at Vanity Fair. The Chicago Tribune has dubbed him “America’s new past master.” His most recent books are The Quiet World, The Wilderness Warrior, and The Great Deluge. Six of his books have been selected as New York Times Notable Books of the Year. He lives in Texas with his wife and three children.

Reviews

[Steve Bohlin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tries to do too many things and in the end does none well. Ironically, one of the endorsements on the jacket comes from Gerald Astor, author of TERRIBLE TERRY ALLEN. Don't bother trying to use this encyclopedia to research who Gen Allen was and why was he so terrible, you'll be sadly disappointed. If you want to learn more about Terry Allen and the US 1st Infantry Division's participation in Operations Torch and Huskey you can find lots for free at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_de... or from the fine folks at www.cantigny.org/museums/firstdivisio...‎

Some may be astonished to learn that Austria was a member of the Axis, while Finland and Bulgaria are featured in the lineup for the Allies. Errors abound but omissions are really the most common sins. While "trying" to be informative about the Holocaust, the editors include an eye-catching sub-topic called "The Rescuers." Of the more than 24,000 non-Jewish heroes recognized as Righteous Among the Nations" at Yad Veshem, Israel's official memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust, the editors give the curious seeker insights about FIVE. In a book with a complete chapter (one of a mere 15) on "World War II and the Arts," you can bet your bris one of them is that guy from Spielberg's "Schindler's List."

If you're wondering why Great Britain and France never declared war on the Soviet Union when on 17 September 1939 they joined their Nazi partner-invaders of Poland, don't bother looking for any tidbits or kernels from Haskew & Brinkley.

"Good night, Douglas." "Good night, Michael."

[Lyle Appleyard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was reading this book for a long time. I would read a little bit at a time when I was in my special reading room. This book was good for reading a little bit at a time because it was list of facts and short articles about the war.

The book was made up of facts about World War II. It dealt with the causes, the battles, the personalities and the aftermath. I believe that it covered everything possible in the 600 pages of the book. It even covered things that I was not aware of or knew nothing about. That was good.

The book was not in-depth. The history of World war II has spawned thousands of history books. This book might not give you as much information as you wanted, but it does give you a good starting point.

I liked the book and would recommend it a reference book to anyone who is a student of the history of World War II.

[Daniel Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book on WWII. It covers everything and has lots of good and interesting stories. I actually have one copy at work and another at home. Always great to pick up in a pinch.

[Matty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and nicely written