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The Second World War: An Illustrated History
The Second World War is brought to life with captivating color and detail in this illustrated history from renowned historian James Holland and award-winning artist Keith Burns
From the internationally acclaimed historian James Holland comes an enthralling and illuminating account of the key battles and crucial turning points of the Second World War, brought vividly to life with over 280 full color illustrations from award-winning artist Keith Burns.
Complex, total and global, the Second World War was the deadliest conflict in human history, with over 300 million soldiers seeing combat. The movements and turns of these six deadly years have had far-reaching consequences which still impact our global relations today. From the horrors of the Western Front to the paddy fields of Burma, The Second World An Illustrated History takes us through each key moment across the history, in an accessible and authoritative account from a master military historian and captivating illustrator.
From the internationally acclaimed historian James Holland comes an enthralling and illuminating account of the key battles and crucial turning points of the Second World War, brought vividly to life with over 280 full color illustrations from award-winning artist Keith Burns.
Complex, total and global, the Second World War was the deadliest conflict in human history, with over 300 million soldiers seeing combat. The movements and turns of these six deadly years have had far-reaching consequences which still impact our global relations today. From the horrors of the Western Front to the paddy fields of Burma, The Second World An Illustrated History takes us through each key moment across the history, in an accessible and authoritative account from a master military historian and captivating illustrator.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
336 pages, Hardcover
Published January 23, 2024
19 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
James Holland
67 books1,043 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 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 19, 2023
'The Second World War: An Illustrated History' is a collaborative effort between bestselling historian James Holland and award-winning aviation artist Keith Burns, aimed at providing a complete history of the Second World War in a concise, engaging, and accessible format. Based on the work undertaken by the pair for the Ladybird Experts series, the 'Illustrated History' brings all 12 of these small volumes together in one place, to create a comprehensive whole. Written primarily for those with a general interest in its history, but who perhaps aren't always inclined to pick up a book on the subject, along with students studying the war at secondary school level, it is intended to provide a thorough grounding and eye-catching introduction to this decisive episode of world history.
There are always concerns with books of this nature. One is that the writing and the content will be too simplistic, 'dumbed-down' to a pedestrian, plodding monotony. Another is the risk that the content is reduced to nothing more than a glorified timeline. After all, the Second World War is an enormous, complex subject – extending to Western and Eastern arenas, the oceans and the air – and to incorporate all of its myriad aspects into a little over 300 pages (or 150 pages if one excludes the illustrations) is ambitious to say the least. To do so in a manner that keeps the reader's attention, to entertain as well as educate, is positively Herculean.
Yet remarkably, this is exactly what Holland achieves. The history, while being whistle-stop, reads like an epic. All of the reasons why Holland is a bestselling author are still here, in spades. The narrative voice is strong and keeps the pace and action alive, providing compelling commentary and absorbing anecdotes, constructing three-dimensional characters within a few short sentences. The war itself becomes something tangible, a fully immersive experience where the reader is transported to the mosquito-infested, stinking, dripping jungles of Burma, or to the arid, baked expanses of the North African desert. We become those men, fearing for their lives, often hungry, often ill, always uncomfortable, swatting away flies or blinking the dust out of eyes. And although Holland has said in interview that 'there's not much human drama in it, it's just saying what happened', the number of human stories included, as told through oral histories, diary entries and letters, is impressive. The book is not just a synopsis, but a 'proper' history, with original research and evidence-based opinion.
The only, inescapable, issue is that because of the need to shoehorn six years of intense history into so few pages, some things have to be missed or touched on in very narrow detail: I would like to have seen more on the SOE, for example, while the war in the Balkans is only briefly mentioned. And despite devoting space to the other Allies, the book is somewhat Anglocentric. The beauty, however, is that we know Holland has written full-length books on seemingly every aspect of the war in the West, as well as in Burma. There is no doubt that anyone who reads this, who hasn't read his previous works, will next turn to Holland's individual histories. It's an effective marketing strategy.
But this is only half of the book, for Holland's words are beautifully complemented by Burns's pictures. In an approach almost reminiscent of what Fabian Perez labels 'Neo Emotionalism', with dramatic narratives and heady atmospheres behind each painting, there is a sense of movement, of energy, and of reality that is often missing from the standard black-and-white photography that usually illustrates such histories. Although not photorealistic, battles, landscapes and portraits have life, a vitality brought out by clever use of light and shade and by a surprising yet skilful use of colour. These tell a concurrent story, equally as strong, providing visual interest as well as imaginative guides to Holland’s narrative.
Both sides – the written and the drawn – independently are stunning. But together they create something greater: a comprehensive yet fast-paced and gripping insight into the Second World War. This illustrated history ticks every box. For the reasonably uninitiated, there is enough explanation, enough references to films and TV series, and enough action to make the book not just accessible, but riveting. For those familiar with the Second World War, Holland’s style, his arguments and his anecdotes, along with the exquisite illustrations of Burns, make 'The Second World War: An Illustrated History' an absolute pleasure to read.
There are always concerns with books of this nature. One is that the writing and the content will be too simplistic, 'dumbed-down' to a pedestrian, plodding monotony. Another is the risk that the content is reduced to nothing more than a glorified timeline. After all, the Second World War is an enormous, complex subject – extending to Western and Eastern arenas, the oceans and the air – and to incorporate all of its myriad aspects into a little over 300 pages (or 150 pages if one excludes the illustrations) is ambitious to say the least. To do so in a manner that keeps the reader's attention, to entertain as well as educate, is positively Herculean.
Yet remarkably, this is exactly what Holland achieves. The history, while being whistle-stop, reads like an epic. All of the reasons why Holland is a bestselling author are still here, in spades. The narrative voice is strong and keeps the pace and action alive, providing compelling commentary and absorbing anecdotes, constructing three-dimensional characters within a few short sentences. The war itself becomes something tangible, a fully immersive experience where the reader is transported to the mosquito-infested, stinking, dripping jungles of Burma, or to the arid, baked expanses of the North African desert. We become those men, fearing for their lives, often hungry, often ill, always uncomfortable, swatting away flies or blinking the dust out of eyes. And although Holland has said in interview that 'there's not much human drama in it, it's just saying what happened', the number of human stories included, as told through oral histories, diary entries and letters, is impressive. The book is not just a synopsis, but a 'proper' history, with original research and evidence-based opinion.
The only, inescapable, issue is that because of the need to shoehorn six years of intense history into so few pages, some things have to be missed or touched on in very narrow detail: I would like to have seen more on the SOE, for example, while the war in the Balkans is only briefly mentioned. And despite devoting space to the other Allies, the book is somewhat Anglocentric. The beauty, however, is that we know Holland has written full-length books on seemingly every aspect of the war in the West, as well as in Burma. There is no doubt that anyone who reads this, who hasn't read his previous works, will next turn to Holland's individual histories. It's an effective marketing strategy.
But this is only half of the book, for Holland's words are beautifully complemented by Burns's pictures. In an approach almost reminiscent of what Fabian Perez labels 'Neo Emotionalism', with dramatic narratives and heady atmospheres behind each painting, there is a sense of movement, of energy, and of reality that is often missing from the standard black-and-white photography that usually illustrates such histories. Although not photorealistic, battles, landscapes and portraits have life, a vitality brought out by clever use of light and shade and by a surprising yet skilful use of colour. These tell a concurrent story, equally as strong, providing visual interest as well as imaginative guides to Holland’s narrative.
Both sides – the written and the drawn – independently are stunning. But together they create something greater: a comprehensive yet fast-paced and gripping insight into the Second World War. This illustrated history ticks every box. For the reasonably uninitiated, there is enough explanation, enough references to films and TV series, and enough action to make the book not just accessible, but riveting. For those familiar with the Second World War, Holland’s style, his arguments and his anecdotes, along with the exquisite illustrations of Burns, make 'The Second World War: An Illustrated History' an absolute pleasure to read.
July 24, 2023
Rating 5
A very good book that summarises the Second World War.
The artwork was the main reason I bought the book I admit, and it was wonderful throughout. Not highly detailed but many of the pictures had such movement and feeling that worked so well with the text.
Obviously being a summary the book concentrates on a different period of the war each chapter. Some reviewers had said more detail was required but I disagree personally-after all most of these chapters have been the basis of other very detailed histories of the war and quite a few have been written by the same author.
Would say that I found it an ideal book to dip into occasionally to read a chapter.
Overall then a solid recommendation for this history summary of ww2 with fantastic artwork.
A very good book that summarises the Second World War.
The artwork was the main reason I bought the book I admit, and it was wonderful throughout. Not highly detailed but many of the pictures had such movement and feeling that worked so well with the text.
Obviously being a summary the book concentrates on a different period of the war each chapter. Some reviewers had said more detail was required but I disagree personally-after all most of these chapters have been the basis of other very detailed histories of the war and quite a few have been written by the same author.
Would say that I found it an ideal book to dip into occasionally to read a chapter.
Overall then a solid recommendation for this history summary of ww2 with fantastic artwork.
January 21, 2025
Provides a high level overview of the principal engagements of the war whilst still capably immersing the reader in the emotions and reactions of the various military factions and civilians throughout the period. For its size the book does a sublime job of explaining the justification and reasoning behind the major war effort decisions and operations. A great place to start understanding WWII.
March 9, 2025
excellent
Although I believe this book is targeted at teenagers and young adults it is still an excellent short history of the Second World War, covering all the main points in a series of chapters set between the European and Pacific theatre, also there are a series of brilliant illustrations, I highly recommend.
Although I believe this book is targeted at teenagers and young adults it is still an excellent short history of the Second World War, covering all the main points in a series of chapters set between the European and Pacific theatre, also there are a series of brilliant illustrations, I highly recommend.
December 24, 2025
Do the title justice and also refer to illustrations
I remember looking at the title and thinking maybe it was just warmed over. Really. Illustrations? Will it work? Yes. The story is well covered, but it works well. My interest is what is covered, and it is an great tale covering key aspects of the war.
I remember looking at the title and thinking maybe it was just warmed over. Really. Illustrations? Will it work? Yes. The story is well covered, but it works well. My interest is what is covered, and it is an great tale covering key aspects of the war.
November 22, 2023
Las ilustraciones se complementan perfectamente con el talento narrativo de Holland, manteniendo el ritmo y la acción de una lectura que por momentos toma la forma de una vibrante epopeya.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews