The Second World War: A World in Flames

by Alexander Stilwell (Editor), Max Hastings (Foreword), Geoffrey Jukes (Contributor)

The period from 1939 to 1945 saw some of the most devastating events in living memory. Existing in the shadows of fear, sacrifice, deprivation and uncertainty, soldiers and civilians of all nationalities were driven to extremes of selfless loyalty, dogged determination or bitter cruelty by the demands of a world at war. Bringing the experience of war to life through a wealth of contemporary documentation, private writings and historical research, this book tells the stories of the men and women who lived and died during the Second World War. Also assessing the political, military and historical significance of the war this truly comprehensive volume covers every fighting front of this horrific war.

First published thus in 2004.

Previously published separately as:
- Essential Histories 18: The Second World War (1) The Pacific by David Horner
- Essential Histories 24: The Second World War (2) Europe 1939–1943 by Robin Havers
- Essential Histories 30: The Second World War (3) The War at Sea by Alastair Finlan, Mark J. Grove and Philip D. Grove
- Essential Histories 32: The Second World War (4) The Mediterranean 1940–1945 by Paul Collier
- Essential Histories 35: The Second World War (5) The Eastern Front 1941–1945 by Geoffrey Jukes
- Essential Histories 48: The Second World War (6) Northwest Europe 1944–1945 by Russell Hart and Stephen A. Hart

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, Military History, Military Fiction, 20th Century

480 pages, Paperback

First published March 25, 2004

Reviews

[Bruinrefugee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of several separate "essential histories" about world war ii into one book is an incredible value and several of the individual books are very good. As a collection posing as a unified history, there are some continuity issues between the various sections that hinder its status as a more general history of world war ii, but for most I'd say that there's a lot in there that may seem new as it fills out portions of the world war's history that often get short shrift in standard accounts.

[Gary Engle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tremendous detail including maps & photos but a very ponderous read.

[Hrvoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a nice overview of WW2. Covers all the areas on high level. Makes you buy another more detailed books by Max Hastings!

[Jefferson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I wanted: a comprehensive overview of WWII with just enough detail so as not to be overwhelming.