Publisher Description

World War II was the greatest single catastrophe humankind has inflicted upon itself. Few people alive at the time escaped its impact; its consequences still visit those unborn at war's end in 1945 and will continue to shape our future. This readable analysis and ready-reference guide is designed to help students and interested readers to understand the causes, interrelated events, and implications of the war, and to provide a wealth of material for student research. A detailed timeline of events traces the history of the war. An introductory overview essay puts it in historical, political, and social context. Based on the most recent scholarship about World War II, Lee, a nationally known expert historian of the war, provides four topical essays on key aspects of the war and a concluding essay on its continuing significance. The text of 17 primary documents, lengthy biographical sketches of important figures in the war, a glossary, and an annotated bibliography of books suitable for high school and college students provide ready-reference value.The four topical essays examine: the relations among the Allied powers and how their decisions affected the shape of the postwar world; how emerging technology changed the nature of war; the effect of the war on the homefront of the warring nations; and the importance of resistance movements in Europe. A concluding essay examines the impact of the war on the fifty years that followed. Primary documents include the text of speeches, telegrams, official declarations, and treaties. Biographical sketches include some highly placed participants about whom little has been written. A section of photographs complements the text. Because it is based on the most recent scholarship and written for the high school and college student researcher, it is the ideal companion to a study of World War II.

Author Biography

LOYD E. LEE is Professor of History and Chair of the department at the State University of New York, College at New Paltz. He is the editor of World War II in Europe, Africa, and the Americas, with General Sources: A Handbook of Literature and Research (Greenwood, 1997), and the author of The War Years: A Global History of the Second World War (1989), The Politics of Harmony: Civil Service, Liberalism, and Social Reform in Baden, 1800-1850 (1980), and other publications on German and global history.

Table of Contents

Series Forword by Randall M. MillerIntroductionChronology of EventsWorld War II ExplainedAn Overview of the WarThe Grand Alliance of the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Soviet UnionWorld War II and the Changing Nature of Military PowerWorld War II on the HomefrontResistance Movements in EuropeThe Continuing Significance of World War IIBiographies: The Personalities Behind the WarPrimary Documents of the WarAnnotated BibliographyGlossary of Selected TermsIndex

Review

"Dr. Lee has presented the book in a straightforward and easy to follow format. Understandably, this one book could be used to teach a class on the Second World War...this is an important study because of [this]....I recommend the work."-Axis Europa
?A useful resource for high school and undergraduate instructors. More advanced scholars will find it handy as a quick reference source.?-Journal of Military History
?Dr. Lee has presented the book in a straightforward and easy to follow format. Understandably, this one book could be used to teach a class on the Second World War...this is an important study because of [this]....I recommend the work.?-Axis Europa
?This is material for provoking a higher level of research or classroom discussion. Students could read it as a text, as well as using it as a research resource.?-VOYA, October 1999
?This title packs a lot of information into one volume....The strengths of this book are its conciseness and organization and its excellent annotated bibliography.?-Library Journal
"A useful resource for high school and undergraduate instructors. More advanced scholars will find it handy as a quick reference source."-Journal of Military History
"This is material for provoking a higher level of research or classroom discussion. Students could read it as a text, as well as using it as a research resource."-VOYA, October 1999
"This title packs a lot of information into one volume....The strengths of this book are its conciseness and organization and its excellent annotated bibliography."-Library Journal

Promotional

An ideal student companion and ready-reference guide to World War II

Long Description

World War II was the greatest single catastrophe humankind has inflicted upon itself. Few people alive at the time escaped its impact; its consequences still visit those unborn at war's end in 1945 and will continue to shape our future. This readable analysis and ready-reference guide is designed to help students and interested readers to understand the causes, interrelated events, and implications of the war, and to provide a wealth of material for student research. A detailed timeline of events traces the history of the war. An introductory overview essay puts it in historical, political, and social context. Based on the most recent scholarship about World War II, Lee, a nationally known expert historian of the war, provides four topical essays on key aspects of the war and a concluding essay on its continuing significance. The text of 17 primary documents, lengthy biographical sketches of important figures in the war, a glossary, and an annotated bibliography of books suitable for high school and college students provide ready-reference value. The four topical essays examine: the relations among the Allied powers and how their decisions affected the shape of the postwar world; how emerging technology changed the nature of war; the effect of the war on the homefront of the warring nations; and the importance of resistance movements in Europe. A concluding essay examines the impact of the war on the fifty years that followed. Primary documents include the text of speeches, telegrams, official declarations, and treaties. Biographical sketches include some highly placed participants about whom little has been written. A section of photographs complements the text. Because it is based on the most recent scholarship and written for the high school and college student researcher, it is the ideal companion to a study of World War II.

Review Quote

"This title packs a lot of information into one volume....The strengths of this book are its conciseness and organization and its excellent annotated bibliography." Library Journal

Promotional "Headline"

An ideal student companion and ready-reference guide to World War II

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