Customer Reviews

The Complete Idiot's Guide to World War II, 2E

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As a high school teacher of college-level material, I will not prepare a class lecture on World War II without this book. It is easy to read, explains things very well, and has so many interesting details that no one can read through it without learning something new on each page. This coming from someone whose favorite reading subject IS WW2.

This book will help anyone understand World War II, and is a lifesaver to those of us who need fast reference in clear English.

As the generation that lived it fades from view, the memories must not pass as well. The events that led to the only true worldwide war are almost unknown among the younger generation. While they do cover the events of the war in their classes, the incremental incidents that paved the way are often ignored. It took several years of piecemeal surrender and manipulation before the war became a truly hot one. Most of the history of the last half century cannot be understood without this knowledge. Nearly one fourth of the book is devoted to this topic, with many significant events highlighted. The most telling quote is one from Adolf Hitler immediately after the surrender at Munich, "I saw my enemies at Munich and they are worms."
As one who is fascinated by the events that led to this conflagration, the most impressive parts of this book are the honesty of the presentation. Some may argue that the war in the Pacific is cast in a secondary light, which is true and that this is a flaw in the book, which is wrong. Despite the importance of the Pacific theater, Germany in conjunction with her allies of Austria, Italy, Finland, Hungary, Rumania, and Bulgaria was by far the stronger foe. In reality, the war was won on the snow swept plains of Western Russia. It was there that the overwhelming majority of battle casualties occurred and the mighty German army was reduced to a shell. If it were not for this, the allies could not have successfully invaded North Africa, much less Western Europe.
Events such as the "success" of the evacuation at Dunkirk are also placed in their true context. A rout led to the evacuation and nearly all of their equipment and ammunition was abandoned, only to be used by the Germans against their other foes. Furthermore, had the order to halt not been given to the Germans, few of the British troops would have been retrieved.
Another point where the author stays on task is in the section on the use of atomic bombs against Japan. After over fifty years, it is easy to argue that the bombs should not have been used. This point is not addressed from either perspective, as the author sticks to the facts which led to the decision.
Although it took many years and events to make it happen, the six years where the second world war was global were the most significant of this century. Lessons concerning international relations and nuclear politics were learned then and still shape how nations interact with each other. However, it is more important that we all remember what happened in those years and this book will teach you all the basics in a clear and concise way.

"The Complete Idiot's Guide to World War II" is definately an "easy-read"...but it is a fascinating one as well. For instance, did you know that "Nazi" was originally a term of derision? Or why Hitler's Germany was called the "Third Reich"? (What were the first two "Reichs"?) The book is filled with scattered bits of information like that.

You'll find much information in easy-to-read little boxes under such titles as: "GI Jargon", "War Lore", and "Ask the General". Each chapter also has several divisions with titles which make one want to read more: "Hindenburg Without the Air", "Stalin's D-Day", "War is Easy as ABC", "War Without Rules", "Hungry for Hungary", "What's Different About the Jews", "Bataan Death March". Every chapter ends with a section titled: "The Least You Need To Know", which is a summary/review of what you just read.

If I were to find fault with this book, the only shortcoming would be the fact that the War in the Pacific receives short change. The author of this book seemed much more interested in the War in Europe.

Excellent overview of one of the most written-about subjects in our lifetime. Bard gives us many familiar facts, but also includes information not found in many books, such as about Berga, the POW camp for Jewish soldiers.

Easy to read, well-organized, and with an extensive bibliography. A book not just for beginners in history, but a informative book for everyone. Highly recommended!

there are so many books on ww 2 itself as well as individual battles fought in ww 2. for the novice or a person who wants a general overview of this war should start here. the book starts off with the end of the first war and the build up of the second world war. it touches on key battles and a few lesser known ones. the book ends with how nations are rebuilding and US and USSR start an arms race - basically starting the cold war. overall this book is terrific! a must!

Definitely not the typical book of war history here. Instead of focusing on only one point of the war (i.e. the diplomacy or strategy) this book gives a very informative overview of the events leading up to the war as well as the important happenings during the great conflict. The book also provides interesting side-bar facts that help tie today's world to the world of that time. An excellent account, and a great addition to anyone's history library.

I enjoyed this book as a overview of WWII. I would have liked to see more grahphics, maps, timelines, etc. Sometimes a page is spent trying to explain something that could have been much easier to visulize with a map or diagram.

An easy read from the begining. IT details events that shaped the pathway to World War II and the rise and fall of the Third Reich and how they managed to defeat themselves. It also proves a EXTREMLY important point as to the reason why we SHOULD get invloved in foreign affairs and not let them escalate.

It discusses how Hitler wanted to shape Europe into his empire and how backstabbing the Russians were and so forth. It is detailed in a lot of places but I would have preffered more pictures and a little more details in some aspects.

I recommend this book to anyone either just getting into the events of World War II or need some more facts about it.

This book had me. This thing kept me up late. While reading this I felt like the events were unfolding anew to me. When Hitler took control of Europe I felt like I was living it. When Pearl Harbor was bombed I felt like it just happened. The retaking of Europe and the invention and use of the atomic bomb all felt like they were current events. This book gives the perfect overview of such a gigantic subject. Everyone should learn about this. Going into this book I knew little of the subject besides the few key events like Pearl Harbor, D-Day, Hiroshima, Hitler, but after reading this book I can realize a larger whole and where these events fit and many more things that went on. Also the book begins with a brief overview of World War One, which is essential to know in order to understand World War Two. I cannot believe what happened in this war and in this modern age.
The only complaints I have are that because it's an Idiot's Guide book the tone is sometimes a little too comfortable with the little side notes and anecdotes, but still the author does a good job of not letting the tone get too too casual. The one other thing is that I wish that it had better maps. There are a small number mixed into the chapters, but they are not too detailed. I found myself consulting my own maps. All that aside, for anyone who has no clue about this war and what all went into it will find this the perfect start.

I know very little about World War II and whenever I've wanted to learn the basic facts about what happened during this time period, I'd get discouraged by the books on the market. The Complete Idiot's Guide to World War II is perfect for me. It gives me general background about the war, insight into the main battles and people involved and interesting facts. I bought a copy for my son and father! I recommend this book to everyone and hope you get out of it as much as I did.