1001 Things Everyone Should Know About WWII [Paperback]

Frank E. Vandiver (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 8, 2003

For the millions who want to know more about “The Greatest Generation” and the global struggle they fought and won, an essential work of popular reference.

World War II was the most complex, geographically extensive, and momentous global conflict in human history–a subject uniquely suited to the time-tested formula of the acclaimed 1001 series. From the rise of Hitler and Germany’s military resurgence to Japan’s surrender to the United States, esteemed historian Frank Vandiver presents hundreds of key facts about the war that defined the twentieth century and shaped the world to this day. Organized chronologically, 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About World War II looks at the war with a truly global perspective, covering all the warring nations and examining not only the crucial battlefields but also the strategy, the technology, and the cultural forces that influenced the war. Informed, concise, and accessible, this book will delight both the uninitiated and the hardcore buff with its detailed and freshly presented information on a war we can’t seem to–and don’t want to–forget.


From the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

From Hitler's invasion of Poland to the Nuremburg trials, 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About World War II sketches each step of the combat in an easy-to-read, chronological overview that includes 124 b&w photos. The six chapters one for each year of the war feature short, numbered paragraphs that describe each maneuver made by the various nations, with some analysis of strategies and pitfalls by author Frank E. Vandiver (1001 Things Everyone Should Know About the Civil War), director of the Mosher Institute for Defense Studies at Texas A&M. Together, the entries paint a detailed portrait of the war's progression. (on sale Apr. 30)
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School-Beginning with 1939 and ending with the Nuremberg Trials and the Far Eastern Trials (into 1948), Vandiver offers a chronological listing of events and people he has chosen as significant to World War II. The text covers broad topics or complex events in succinct, precise terms yet captures the essence of why they are considered important to the war. While the author may include a detail or personal quirk for a specific person, the information focuses on that person's importance at that moment in time. The effect results in the jigsawlike fitting of the entries into the overall history of the war. Enhancements include a few personal accountings, song lyrics of the era, and more than 100 black-and-white photographs. The maps are hard to read, offer unclear markings, and are often confusing, but they don't lessen the quality of the chronology or the information included in it. For students, the breakdown of events can be a resource in finding specific information, persons, or occurrences. Easy to read and use, precise without being overwhelming, this title provides a well-organized approach to understanding the immensity of World War II.
Pam Johnson, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Broadway (April 8, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767905849
• ISBN-13: 978-0767905848
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #851,117 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected, August 15, 2008

By 

Bryan Lambert "50kmwalk" (West Coast,USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About WWII (Paperback)

I love WWII history trivia/facts so I was looking forward to reading this book. But it was a major diappointment to read the entry's and see it's really 1001 things the Author thinks the reader should know about WWII--not necessarily absolute or even interesting fact's. To be fair the Author says that this book is exactly that--1001 of his opinions, in the preface, but its still a boring read.

If like me you love short, quick, amazing facts about WWII I do have a great book recommendation for you. Get "WWII 4,139 Strange & Fasciniting Facts" by Don McCombs, & Fred L. Worth.

I have this book which I also found on Amazon, and it is awesome, a '10'. It's 659 pgs of interesting and eye popping information about WWII that you can read for 15 min or 5 hrs and enjoy thoroughly.