The Second World War: A Short History (Struggle for Survival) [Paperback]

R. A. C. Parker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 21, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0192802070 | ISBN-13: 978-0192802071 | Edition: Revised

From the rise of the Nazi party, through the bombing of Pearl Harbor, to the ultimate defeat of the Axis nations and the first chills of the Cold War, The Second World War: A Short History offers a completely comprehensive overview of the Second World War in one readable, compact volume. Alastair Parker deftly explores the causes of the war and why it lasted so long, how it was won and lost, and its consequences for humanity.
The author traces the key events in both the European and Far Eastern theaters, outlining the strategies of the participants and the strengths and weaknesses of their fighting forces. Parker conveys a vivid picture of the features that distinguished the Second World War from any war that preceded it, including mobile warfare, widespread forced migration, the Holocaust, and strategic and nuclear bombing. Unlike many other histories of the war, this short history places the British and European involvement squarely in an international perspective, never shying away from raising difficult and fundamental questions about this monumental conflict.
The Second World War presents an unprecedented short history, offering a sweeping survey of events that omits none of the drama that filled the years between 1939 and 1945. With intriguing photographs and a number of helpful maps, it is a fascinating and objective look at the central struggle of our times.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Review from previous edition Based on a matchless knowledge of the documents, he provides an authoritative treatment of military, diplomatic, and economic aspects, written with great force and insight. As a one-volume survey, it is unlikely to be surpassed... a magnificent achievement, a tour de force."--Kenneth O. Morgan, New Statesman and Society

"a miracle of compression compared with the rest of the horde of general histories."--Guardian

"Parker alights unerringly on the salient campaigns and issues, and considers them with consistent style and insight."--Times Educational Supplement

"The most balanced view of the causes and courses of the Second World War."--Field Marshal Lord Carver, Times Literary Supplement

"written in clear and elegant English ... a masterful account of the Second World War in all its different spheres. It is scrupulously fair, illuminated by an engaging sense of humour ... and gives an entirely balanced view of the varying contributions of the different powers engaged."--Richard Cobb, The Spectator

About the Author

R. A. C. Parker is a Fellow of Queen's College, Oxford.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; Revised edition (March 21, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192802070
• ISBN-13: 978-0192802071
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #143,735 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully Concise Yet Comprehensive History Of WWII!, January 6, 2001

By 

Barron Laycock "Labradorman" (Temple, New Hampshire United States) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Second World War: A Short History (Opus) (Paperback)

For serious students of the WWII era wishing to have a handy, concise, and yet quite comprehensive overview of the Second World War and its times by way of a one-volume effort, this is the book to start with. Unlike much more massive, detailed, and descriptive tomes such as Gerhard Weinberg's "A World At War", Sir Martin Gilbert's "The Second World War", or the new "A War To Be Won" by Murray and Millett, this book pares down the tremendous sweep and circumstances surrounding the war to a relatively brief (just over three hundred pages) and yet amazingly concise and comprehensive narrative. Indeed, Professors from Harvard to Stanford often assign this book for introductory courses on World War Two because it is both manageable and accurate.

Parker's narrative is informed by his matchless grasp of the relevant documents and official records as well as a unique feel for the way in which the various aspects of the conflict interweave and interact to create and sustain a worldwide conflagration. In his stirring and entertaining treatment, one finds a treasure trove of details, and at the same time also gains a better understanding of the way in which the economic, diplomatic, and military factors combine during the drift toward war in the late 1930s. In this sense the book is written with great verve and obvious historical impact.

Viewed in this way, the book can be considered a quite compact and yet still comprehensive overview of the war itself, how it began, its slow and horrific progress, and how it was both won by the Allies and lost by the Axis powers. Indeed, one comes away from the reading experience with a much improved and enhanced appreciation for the far-reaching impact the war had on humanity at large, since the war affected everyone, combatants, noncombatants, and onlookers alike. As Parker argues quite persuasively, the Second World War changed the course of the 20th century forever.

The author faithfully traces how the key events of the war progress, showing how the strategies of each of the participants as well as their indigenous populations and economies affect the course of the conflict. In looking at major battles and campaigns, Parker provides a wealth of insight that is disproportionately detailed compared to the length of the book, and provides the reader with a wonderfully informative, insightful, and entertaining reading experience. He discusses specific aspects of the war such as mobile warfare, the Holocaust, forced migration, and the use of the atomic bomb in a way that helps the reader to understand the importance of each and gives specific reasons as to how and why they occurred. This is a book that is easy to recommend to anyone wanting a relatively concise and yet immensely rewarding reading experience. Enjoy!

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb history., October 21, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Second World War: A Short History (Opus) (Paperback)

If only a single one-volume history of World War II had to be chosen, it would be hard to beat this one.
The entire global sweep of this greatest of all wars is covered comprehensively here, from its historical and economic roots to its world-changing consequences. The narrative is graceful and remarkably readable, with such essential matters as balance-of-forces and production figures woven in skillfully and painlessly, rendering unnecessary the footnotes which clutter other works of this scale. The author's analyses of issues of Allied leadership are models of fair-minded judgement and balanced perspective, and his evaluations of generalship virtually unassailable, to the probable discomfort of partisans of all stripes.
Parker's work is exemplary history, and a rare pleasure to read as well. Highly recommended.

(The numerical rating above is an ineradicable default setting within this page. This reviewer does not employ numerical ratings.)

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview, January 12, 2000

By 

T. Wilson "Historian42" (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Second World War: A Short History (Opus) (Paperback)

This is an excellent overview of the Second World War using the most recent information available. Parker's book is well-written, lucid and concise. I am using it to teach a undergraduate level history course on the war.