Meh. ( )

A thorough analysis of WWII from the perspectives of the participants, victims and bystanders. To appreciate Dr. Hanson’s effort the reader should be familiar with WWII. Not the first book on the subject you should read but one you must read. ( )

World War II--its causes, costs, horrors, victories, mistakes, and defeats--is still the subject of fresh scholarship and new insight. V.D. Hanson has added richly to that body of research. He writes with the analytical mind of a proven academic and military historian.

The Second World Wars (plural, which is an interesting concept itself), is not a typical chronological recounting of the global conflict but rather is organized according to major themes, such as ideas (or causes), air warfare, naval warfare, land warfare, and the people of the war, including its leaders, soldiers, civilians, and Holocaust victims.

Sometimes Hanson's erudition and facility with words can be off-putting to someone looking for a quick-and-easy read for summer vacation. But if you're willing to take your time and think through the material with the author, it will yield a valuable reward. If asked to recommend histories of the Second World War, I would put this one at the top of the list. ( )

A must read for every student of the Second World War. It's not a battle by battle account, although there is some of that, but rather an analysis as to why the battle was won or lost and what its impact was on the outcome of the war. It's an in depth study of the cultural and industrial clash that saw the war begin with weapons and tactics reminiscent of the First World War evolve into the prevalence of massive four-engine bombers, fleet submarines, primitive cruise missiles and the dawn of nuclear power. An engaging read in spite of its tendency to keep telling the same story form alternate points of viewt. Nevertheless, a book to keep on the reference shelf. Four stars. ( )

Superb new history of WWII by the pre-eminent military historian in the world, where he gives new perspectives on the strategies employed and insight with facts into how victory was achieved all in context. However, it is a dense and difficult read compared to some of his other works like "The Soul of Battle," "The Western Way of War," "A War Like No Other," or "Ripples of Battle." ( )