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World War II for Dummies
Investigate the factors that led to war Examine key turning points, including D-Day and Hiroshima Get to know the opposing forces — the Allies and the Axis
Explore the greatest war in history
World War II was the most destructive conflict of the 20th century. How did it happen — and why? Packed with fascinating anecdotes, interesting sidebars, and top ten lists, this friendly reference contains everything you need to know about World War II, from the issues that caused the war to its most crucial confrontations and what happened in the aftermath. Read about important figures on both sides, study Hitler's war against the Jews, and find out how the Allies finally achieved victory. Whatever your interest, World War II For Dummies is your go-to guide.
Inside …
The significance of World War II Hitler's rise to power The invasion of Eastern Europe Pearl Harbor and U.S. neutrality Life and labor on the home front The Holocaust Liberation and what came next432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 22, 2017
A well-written, easy to read book covering all the main points regarding the background, causes, and events during World War 2.
Has a much broader scope than other, more detailed books on the war. This book gives good descriptions of the resentment Germany felt at their treatment at the end of World War 1 (and with fair-enough reason) and the economic turmoil of the Depression. This created conditions for the rise of the dictators in the Axis countries.
Good descriptions of the international and national politics and how this subsequently influenced the battles - often giving the "why" behind the conflict.
Especially good descriptions of Hitler's racial policies, which was the reason for his invading the Soviet Union and Eastern European countries. He wanted living space (lebensraum) for his Aryan race.
Also good descriptions of the home fronts for Britain, the United States, USSR, Italy, Japan, and Germany. This gave a good idea of what it was like for civilians to live through that period.
I liked how the author included the Japanese invasion of China in 1931 (Manchuria) and 1937. Many Western books tend to leave that out, starting with Hitler's invasion of Poland. Effectively, World War 2 started in 1937 for China and Japan.
I also liked that it wasn't heavily slanted towards the United States perspective. This is a good achievement by the author since he's from the United States.
Most of the combat is written about in highly summarised form. This is still adequate, though. There's good linkage between the individual battles and the broad picture of what the combatants were trying to achieve (i.e. their strategy).
The only complaint I had about the book was its descriptions of what happened in China after the Western countries entered the war against Japan. Made it feel as though the Chinese basically stopped fighting the Japanese after everyone else had joined in. I'm sure that's not the full story, otherwise why did many millions of Chinese die in World War 2? According to the book, somewhere between 15 and 22 million. In numbers of deaths per country, that's the second most numerous, behind the Soviet Union (25 million).
Overall, a very good book. Gives very wide coverage over a broad range of topics, sometimes better than other one-volume books (which focus mainly on the combat). Written in simple to understand language, typical of other Dummies books.
Has a much broader scope than other, more detailed books on the war. This book gives good descriptions of the resentment Germany felt at their treatment at the end of World War 1 (and with fair-enough reason) and the economic turmoil of the Depression. This created conditions for the rise of the dictators in the Axis countries.
Good descriptions of the international and national politics and how this subsequently influenced the battles - often giving the "why" behind the conflict.
Especially good descriptions of Hitler's racial policies, which was the reason for his invading the Soviet Union and Eastern European countries. He wanted living space (lebensraum) for his Aryan race.
Also good descriptions of the home fronts for Britain, the United States, USSR, Italy, Japan, and Germany. This gave a good idea of what it was like for civilians to live through that period.
I liked how the author included the Japanese invasion of China in 1931 (Manchuria) and 1937. Many Western books tend to leave that out, starting with Hitler's invasion of Poland. Effectively, World War 2 started in 1937 for China and Japan.
I also liked that it wasn't heavily slanted towards the United States perspective. This is a good achievement by the author since he's from the United States.
Most of the combat is written about in highly summarised form. This is still adequate, though. There's good linkage between the individual battles and the broad picture of what the combatants were trying to achieve (i.e. their strategy).
The only complaint I had about the book was its descriptions of what happened in China after the Western countries entered the war against Japan. Made it feel as though the Chinese basically stopped fighting the Japanese after everyone else had joined in. I'm sure that's not the full story, otherwise why did many millions of Chinese die in World War 2? According to the book, somewhere between 15 and 22 million. In numbers of deaths per country, that's the second most numerous, behind the Soviet Union (25 million).
Overall, a very good book. Gives very wide coverage over a broad range of topics, sometimes better than other one-volume books (which focus mainly on the combat). Written in simple to understand language, typical of other Dummies books.
December 27, 2019
Millions of people were involved in this complex & destructive war. So many events & decisions by aggressors & allied forces that impact millions of lives during that time, now & the future. I find this book totally engaging. I love the writer’s emphatic & at appropriate times, witty personal observations/analyses. Totally palatable for someone like me who have no history background of WWII
December 4, 2022
Bir amerikan komutanı gözüyle ne kadar iyi olabilirse. Amerikalıların Türkiye'ye olağan kayıtsızlığı dikkat çekici. Ya şöyle olsaydı kısmında en azından TR cephe acsaydi savaşın gidişatının değişimi vs den bahsedilebilirdi. Yine de kabul etmek gerekir ki yazar macera romanı havasında sürükleyici bir üsluba sahip.
Did Not Finish
October 11, 2020DNF'd at 25%. Whilst very interesting, I just don't have the time for it, I'm planning to return to it at a later date.
October 2, 2010
A very good if you are any kind of a history buff. I gave read and studied countless books about this era, but this down to earth chronology of WWI is only only book I have read that does and excellent job of outlining the war and its major campaigns in a tidy and concise manor.
Super quick read, but a real must for those that are students of the this critical time in our history.
As for the rest, a good choice would me People Magazine.
Super quick read, but a real must for those that are students of the this critical time in our history.
As for the rest, a good choice would me People Magazine.
March 30, 2013
Excellent overview of the causes, events, and conclusion of WWII. I read it to get the big picture into which I could place future reading about specific events and phases of the war. The writing is a bit sloppy at times and a bit too casual but not to distraction. There is also a fair amount of repetition as it is also designed to be read in bits and pieces as well as from beginning to end.
January 25, 2014
This is a fine review of WWII. I just finished teaching the Unit on WWII so I read it as a quick review. It's a simple telling of WWII but if you already have foundational knowledge on the topic it will stimulate all of the details that have learnt but thought you forgot.
September 29, 2008
One of the subjetiviest books that i ever read, writen by an american military lover.
August 17, 2011
I Like the for Dummies books,and I was looking for more info on WW2. Seemed like a good match.
November 28, 2011
I good simple breakdown of the events leading up to, during and conclusion of WWII.
August 25, 2014
Surprisingly good general overview of WWI. Good read for someone that doesn't know much about WWI or good review for future, more in-depth reading on the subject.
February 2, 2022
A great story with a happy ending. Or not. Depending on how you look at it.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews