The History Buff's Guide to World War II [Paperback]

Thomas R. Flagel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2005

At a cost of sixty million lives, the largest war in the history of the world devoured cities, gave birth to horrific new weapons, and involved the three worst mass murderers of all time. It also gave rise to some of the finest acts of courage, sacrifice, and lasting change ever to benefit human civilization.

World War II stands as the most important event of the modern age, but it is often the most misunderstood. Was it inevitable? Could the Axis have won? Was D-Day the largest invasion ever? Who was the greatest military commander? The worst?

Thomas R. Flagel unveils the big picture by using detailed top-ten lists, ranking the best, worst, first, and most significant elements of the largest and deadliest conflict in history.

• The Gathering Storm: What caused the war, what made it span the globe and what did people do to try and stop it from coming.
• Politics: The most influential speeches, the worst tyrants, and the most important acts of government.
• Military Life: The world of unsung soldiers, what they ate, how they lived, and how they died.
• The Home Front: Civilians and the hardships they endured, the songs they sang, and the ways they fought back.
• In Retrospect: The best commanders, worst mistakes, most decisive battles, and greatest heroines.
• Perusing the War: The best avenues for time travel, including historic sites, activities, genealogy, books, and film.

From the rise of Adolf Hitler to the fall of Hiroshima and beyond, The History Buff's Guide™ to World War II brings a new and compelling perspective to an epoch that fractured the past and formed our world today.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Thomas R. Flagel teaches American History at Columbia State Community College in Columbia, Tennessee. He holds degrees from Loras College, Kansas State University, Creighton University, and has studied at the University of Vienna. He currently lives in Franklin, Tennessee.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Cumberland House (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581824424
• ISBN-13: 978-1581824421
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #162,305 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Thomas Flagel teaches American History at Columbia State Community College in Tennessee. He holds degrees from Loras College (B.A. History), Kansas State University (M.A., European History), Creighton University (M.A., International Relations), and has studied at the University of Vienna.

A national speaker, Board Member of the Franklin Civil War Round Table, and a Committee member of the Mayor's Battlefield Task Force of Franklin, Tennessee, he is currently working on two books involving Abraham Lincoln. Flagel currently lives in Franklin, Tennessee.

Fast Facts about Thomas Flagel:
Originally from Iowa, he has a great great great grandfather who served in the 2nd Iowa Infantry in the Civil War.

His great great uncle from the 47th Illinois Infantry was killed in the Battle of Corinth.

Is friends with bestselling novelist Robert Hicks.

Once lived in Austria, and the Czech Republic.

Is an avid road cyclist.

Was motivated to move to Franklin, Tennessee after reading the book Five Tragic Hours about the Battle of Franklin.

Speaks every year at the Gettysburg National Park during the battle anniversary celebration.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great time-sink, and lead to further reader, May 11, 2010

By 

Michael K. Smith (South Louisiana) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The History Buff's Guide to World War II (Paperback)

Like his very good earlier "History Buff" book on the American Civil War, this one is built around nearly thirty "Ten Best" and "Ten Worst" lists, which provide the springboard for brief discussions of an amazing variety of topics. Some are predictable, like most important (i.e., influential) speeches by world leaders, and most important battles, and most important causes of the war. Others delve into subjects you're less likely to be familiar with, like similarities between Stalin and Hitler, and most important forms of civilian resistance (which probably are not what you would have predicted). He has some cogent things to say about military commanders, too; Patton mostly wasn't as egotistical as he is often portrayed, and Rommel wasn't nearly as competent. And he has absolutely nothing good to say about Chiang Kai-Shek (fair enough) and almost as many heavy criticisms of Bernard Montgomery (ditto). I was a bit surprised at the nonappearance of Marshal Timoshenko from the book, though. Like the previous book, this one should have you jotting down topics for later research. I was born during World War II but for, say, college-age readers, the events of the war are as far removed as the Spanish-American War would be for me. For that reason alone, I recommend this book to anyone who thinks "history" must automatically be "ancient."

1 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Christmas Gift, December 12, 2008

By 

D. Oliver (West Palm Beach, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The History Buff's Guide to World War II (Paperback)

My hubby is a history lover so I thought this would be a good Christmas gift for him. I looked at the book & thought it was fine. Hopefully he will like it too.