The Second World War, 1939-45: A Strategical And Tactical History [Paperback]

J. F. C. Fuller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 22, 1993

Fuller's biographer, Bryan Holden Reid, has described The Second World War as "an analysis of the breakdown, as Fuller saw it, of the vital relationship between grand strategy and grand tactics--the end and the means...Too often books on the Second world War detail the movements of formations about the battlefield and give space to strategical commentary without assessing the manner in which the war was actually fought. On the tactical level, The Second World War can still be read with profit." Fuller himself characterized the book, however, as "in part a least a psychological study of the folly of man." Expertly combining detailed military history and analysis with Clausewitzian insights based on his own theories of warfare, Fuller produced a modern military masterpiece in The Second World War.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Major General J.F.C. Fuller (1878-1966) was one of the most important and original military thinkers of this century. He served as lieutenant in the Boer War, organized the first British tank corps in World War I, and developed the strategy and tactics of tank warfare which were later put to such effective use by the Nazis for their World War II blitzkriegs. His many books include A Military History of the Western World (3 volumes), The Generalship of Ulysses S. Grant, Julius Caesar: Man, Soldier, and Tyrant, and The Generalship of Alexander the Great, all of which are available from Da Capo Press/Perseus Book Group.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (March 22, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306805065
• ISBN-13: 978-0306805066
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #576,727 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece of Military Studies, July 30, 2006

By 

Brandon (SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Second World War, 1939-45: A Strategical And Tactical History (Paperback)

This book is, as the title suggests, a Strategical and Tactical, not Political, history of the Second World War; and it accomplishes this task magnificently. Fuller analyzes both theaters of operations in terms of initiative and resources giving invaluable, and relatively unbiased, insights into successes and failures at all levels of warfare, then integrating the tactical, operational, and strategic levels, demonstating how they affected each other and how they lead to the ultimate results of the operations, campaigns, and war itself. No military studies or modern military history library is complete without this work, which contains analyses that are essential to an understanding of the Second World War from a military perspective.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic for the Ages, December 18, 2008

By 

Alan Dale Daniel (Carson City, Nevada, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Second World War, 1939-45: A Strategical And Tactical History (Paperback)

JFC Fuller, the author of The Second World War: A Strategical and Tactical History, just cannot be surpassed for the ability to see the big (REALLY BIG) picture and point out the good and bad in the strategic moves of the Allies and the Axis in the Second World War.

For example, he is able to strip apart the decision by England and France to go to war over Poland, and he thinks it was a big error. Fuller calls attention to the debacle after Munich, and how the USSR was ready to intervene with the Allies to stop Hitler. But the Allies folded, and now Stalin perceived it was best for him to side with Hitler - and least for the moment. In 1939 the picture had changed, and England and France knew it. They also knew they could not significantly help Poland. Also, their decision was an abrupt change in policy which caught Hitler by surprise (so says Fuller) and he could not be expected to change his foreign policy so quickly.

I do not agree with every point Fuller makes. For instance, I think Hitler was given many diplomatic warnings after he took over Checkoslovakia so the change in Allied position could not have been unexpected. But my criticism is beside the point. What JFC Fuller makes the reader do is THINK. And that is what history is all about.

All through the book the author examines the tactics and strategy of the two sides from an expert's point of view. And he is an expert. This book was published before the secrets of Ultra and Magic were revealed, and Fuller decided not to alter his book (published in 1947) because of the new information. He decided his analysis was correct and the new information did not change his strategic thoughts. That is how broad his strategic thinking is - even something so important as Ultra did not throw off his big picture examination of the war.

A great book!

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars J.F.C. Fuller is the best military historian, December 25, 2010

By 

Solon (Fredericksburg, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Second World War, 1939-45: A Strategical And Tactical History (Paperback)

If you want to study history from a military standpoint, you cannot beat J.F.C. Fuller.

As he is fond of saying, "War is an extension of politics." In all his books he begins his discussions by describing why the two sides are at war. What is each side trying to accomplish? He then narrows his focus to the particular battle in question. What is the relevance of this battle to the two antagonists and to the war he is discussing? He introduces the leaders of the two opposing forces, and discusses each sides strengths and weaknesses. He explains the plan each leader had going into the battle, and how the leader reacted to unexpected developments. And, of course, he describes the terrain, the effects of the terrain on each sides endeavors, and describes the battle. Unlike most historians, J.F.C. Fuller tells you why the winner won and why the loser lost. He doesn't pull any punches. If somebody messed up, he lets you know. For example he appears to have no fondness for Winston Churchill even though General Fuller is British. And, finally, he describes why this battle is important in history. For example, he claims that if the Christians had lost the Battle of Lepanto, we would all be Muslims today.

I have read five of General Fuller's books, and I highly recommend him.