As a history buff, I truly appreciate DK's new WWII book.
Unlike many history books,this collaborative effort combines a world view of the war. Utilizing newly released archival photographs and reports, the events are reported in a largely unbiassed perspective. The team of writers takes readers from 1914 (WWI) to 1950, and the aftermath of the many political events and agreements.
There are many features that make this book unique. The various time lines included detailed history month by month for the various camps during the war. The sheer number of remarkable photographs probably numbers in the 1000's. Rare German medals, personages, allied tool kits, and on-field documentation (German/Japanese/US/British/Italy) are sprinkled liberably over the 360 plus pages. Quotes are well chosen and the different campaigns are covered.
It is truly amazing that information of this quality is now available. Moreso, the different reports and original material must have been staggering.
No WWII history class should be without this book.
Tim Lasiuta World War II: The Definitive Visual History
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"The treaties that ended World War I left many countries bitter and resentful and failed to establish a lasting peace. In the political and economic uncertainties of the time, right-wing Nationalist parties had a strong appeal, most ominously Hitler's Nazis in Germany."
The above is found on the cover-page entitled "The Seeds of War 1914-1938" of the first chapter of this amazing, comprehensive book that details World War II (WWII), "the largest and most destructive war in history." This book was assembled by DK Publishing.
This book consists of two intermingled parts:
(1) IMAGES. It is packed with images, even "rarely seen" color photographs as well as maps and graphics. Thus, they're not kidding when they say in this book's first subtitle that this is "the definitive visual history" of WWII.
(2) TEXT. All these images have to be organized and this book's text does it very effectively without overwhelming the reader with excessive detail. The text throughout this book is concerned with the following:
(i) Events: WWII began in 1939 and ended in 1945. Each chapter (that is, the middle chapters) is concerned with each year of the war. As well, there are two additional chapters. The first chapter (whose title and summary is given above) discusses the build up of hostility in the years (1914 to 1938) leading up to the war. The final chapter explains the aftermath of the war (years 1946 to 1950).
Each chapter is divided into subsections. Each subsection is composed of a double-page layout. For example, the chapter for the year 1939 (chapter 2) has nine subsections with two of these profiling people (see below) and one of these profiling weaponry (see below).
(ii) People: The most influential individuals of WWII are profiled, revealing their personality, etc. Most important, the critical roles they played in the war's outcome are explained. For example, Chapter 2 (the year 1939) profiles Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin in separate subsections.
(iii) Eyewitness Accounts: Dramatic episodes in the war are brought powerfully to life through first-person written accounts. What is sad is that some of these people who wrote these excellent accounts did not make it through the war.
(iv) Quotations: From political leaders, combatants, and civilians. Here's one of my favourites by Winston Churchill (October 1939): "I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia. It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma."
(v) Factoids: Interesting facts are peppered throughout the book.
(vi) Weapons and Technology: Weaponry, aircraft, tanks, submarines, etc. are showcased as well as code-breaking communication devices and medicine. For example, chapter 2 has a subsection devoted to rifles.
(vii) Key Moments: Critical moments in the war are highlighted.
Each chapter begins with a double-paged introduction and a double-paged timeline.
The introductions have a colour-coded world map for a month (usually December) in a particular year and superimposed on the map are explanations (with pictures) of key events that occurred in that year. For example, chapter 2 has an introductory map entitled "The World in December 1939." (At the bottom of the introduction is a brief summary of significant war events for that year.)
Finally, there is a timeline of significant events for a particular year. These timelines are divided into months so finding information is extremely easy. For example, for the 1939 timeline, when did Germany invade Poland (thus starting WWII)? Answer at a glance: September 1. When did Germany's Blitzkrieg (mentioned on the book's cover) begin? Answer: May 10, 1940. When was the first atomic bomb (again, mentioned on the book's cover) dropped (thus beginning the "nuclear age")? Answer: August 6, 1945. (Note that pictures are superimposed on these timelines.)
In conclusion, this book effectively organizes a vast amount of material into a slim volume. For those who want to know, understand, and SEE what happened during World War II, this is the book to get!! I leave you with the very last factoid found in this extraordinary book:
"559. The number of cemeteries that have been created by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to commemorate those who lost their lives fighting in World War II."
(first published 2009; forward; 9 chapters; main narrative with images 350 pages; index; acknowledgements)
<<Stephen Pletko. London, Ontario, Canada>>
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For the first time in my 38 years, I better understand the time-line of events throughout WWII. The book goes just far enough into the details to give an understanding of the what and why things played out. The calendar timelines for each year helped me to understand when events played out.
I did find it interesting that it seems that most photos in the book are used twice... Once as a small image somewhere in descriptive before/after panel, then later as a bigger image elsewhere in the book. This did not negatively affect the overall impression of the book but was just something that I noticed.
I borrowed this book from my local library, but I'm thinking I may purchase my own copy to keep on my shelf. - Third Reich - Germany - Pictorials - Military History'
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