Forgotten Voices of the Second World War (Forgotten Voices World War 2) [Hardcover]

Max Arthur (Author)

Book Description

Series: Forgotten Voices World War 2 | Publication Date: November 23, 2004

The Imperial War Museum holds a vast archive of interviews with soldiers, sailors, airmen and civilians of most nationalities who saw action during WW2. As in the highly acclaimed "Forgotten Voices of the Great War", Max Arthur and his team of researchers will spend hundreds of hours digging deep into this unique archive, uncovering tapes, many of which have not been listened to since they were created in the early 1970s. The result will be the first complete aural history of the war. We hear at first from British, German and Commonwealth soldiers and civilians. Accounts of the impact of the U. S. involvement after Pearl Harbour and the major effects that had on the war in Europe and the Far East is chronicled in startling detail, including compelling interviews from U. S. and British troops who fought against the Japanese. Continuing through from D-Day, to the Rhine Crossing and the dropping of the Atom Bomb in August 1945, this book is a unique testimony to one of the world's most dreadful conflicts. One of the hallmarks of Max Arthur's work is the way he involves those left behind on the home front as well as those working in factories or essential services. Their voices will not be neglected.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'A master chronicler' Sir Martin Gilbert"

About the Author

Acclaimed author Max Arthur specialises in first hand recollections of historical events. Previous titles include Above All Courage; Northern Ireland Soldiers Talking; Men of the Red Beret; The True Glory: The Royal Navy 1914 to Present.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Ebury & Vermilion (November 23, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0091897343
• ISBN-13: 978-0091897345
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,048,865 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars The British experience in World War II, March 30, 2006

By 

Andrew W. Johns "ResQgeek" (Alexandria, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Forgotten Voices of the Second World War. Max Arthur (Paperback)

I hadn't realized how much my previous reading about World War II had been skewed towards the American experience, but this book certain made me aware of that bias in my understanding of this period of history. Compiled from the archives of The Imperial War Museum, this collection of personal narratives provides an intimate, eyewitness glimpse at various aspects of the war, with a particular focus on the British war experience. Much of the material from the war in Europe was familiar to me, particularly from 1942 on, when the US entered the war. However, this book provided a vivid reminder that the British experience during WWII was significantly different than the American one. They had been involved in intense combat for more than two years before the Americans joined the fray, and the war came home to the general population of the United Kingdom in a dangerous and violent fashion that we were fortunate to avoid. The stories of the Battle of Britain and the Blitz are vivid reminders of Hitler's ambitions to invade and conquer the British Isles. The book also fills in gaps in my knowledge of the war in the Mediterranean/North Africa as well as Southern Asia. This book is a valuable record of the expriences of the men and women who experienced the war, and help provide an understanding of the history of the war.