The American Heritage New History of WWII [Hardcover]

C. L. Sulzberger (Author), Stephen E. Ambrose (Editor)

Book Description

Release date: October 6, 1997

Originally published in 1966, this text, which included eye witness accounts, was considered an authorative reference on the history of World War II. Stephen Ambrose has edited the original text and incorporated 70 per cent new material including photographs, maps, paintings and cartoons selected from both public and private collections throughout the world. This updated version includes previously unseen secret and private material that has become public since the end of the Cold War and over the years since the end of World War II.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The first edition of this book sold more than one million copies in 35 years and helped shape the way Americans remembered a recent war. Now thoroughly revised by the acclaimed historian Stephen E. Ambrose to help introduce a new generation of readers to the Second World War, this book tells the story of Blitzkreig, Pearl Harbor, D-Day, and Hiroshima better than any other. In words and pictures, it relates an epic struggle between the dueling forces of communism, fascism, and democracy. There is simply no better introduction to that titanic conflict available, and an estimated 70 percent of its text is new material by Ambrose. All ages can enjoy it, but the heavy graphic element makes this volume especially appealing to mature kids with an interest in history.

From Library Journal

Best-selling historian Ambrose offers a thoroughgoing revision of Sulzberger's classic.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 640 pages
• Publisher: Viking Adult; Rev Sub edition (October 6, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670874744
• ISBN-13: 978-0670874743
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.7 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #487,565 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Substantial Coffee Table Version For Your Use! January 9, 2004

By Barron Laycock HALL OF FAME

Format:Hardcover

This attractive and fairly substantive book is another welcome addition to the pantheon of books covering the Second World War, serving to introduce the neophyte to the massive worldwide conflict through the employment of a credible narrative with the clever and helpful photographs, maps and charts placed alongside the text to aid learning and understanding. While not the kind of masterful text as some other books on the subject, such as Gerhard Weinberg's superb "A World At Arms", or the even more recent "A War To Be Won" by Murray and Millett, this revised version of the American Heritage book is a good teaching resource for use at either the high school or introductory undergraduate college level course.

It is expensive, and for that reason is likely less often utilized as a standard text that would otherwise be the case. Yet, given the average cost of a single hardbound text in school bookstores these days, its hefty price tag is not unreasonable given all the collected merits the book delivers. Featuring a new introduction by the late Stephen Ambrose, dean of the popular WWII authors until his recent demise, the book quite handily incorporates a lot of additional material into the text and uses dozens of new photographs as well as a bevy of updated maps, charts, and other devices all geared toward greater understanding of one of the most complex and far-fetched historical phenomena in modern history.

As with the original version, the revised text features over 700 dramatic and visually haunting photographs, artist's renderings, cartoons, and state of the art computer-aided maps.... Thus the student can gain a much-improved understanding of how battles progressed, the strategic importance of certain situations, and the ways in which opposing forces deployed and then redeployed to gain advantage over the course of a particular engagement. Given the fact that WWII has had such a monumental impact on the world and for subsequent history, this book provides a stunning opportunity to engage students, capture their imaginations, and compel learning by offering a plethora of meaningful media through which to do so. I highly recommend this book for use in the classroom, and for anyone wanting an entertaining, educational, and eminently useful book covering the waterfront that was World War Two. Enjoy! Read more ›

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars American Heritage New History of World War II November 10, 2000

By Gene Anderson

Format:Hardcover

I have used this book for reference for my World War II classes this year in high school & I am considering buying 50 or more copies for teaching my World War II classes next year. I have previously used the predecessor of this book, World War II by C. L. Sulzberger, c.1970 for many years. This book was the most readable short concise history of WW II I could find & this new book is even better with the additions of Ambrose. The new one also is hardback so it will last & it is larger print & has more pictures & extra comments about items of interest. I have read about WW II all of my life & continue to do so with avid interest & I like this book as a good general history of the war. If you want more detail you might want to go to individual titles over battles or campaigns, but if you want a good general working knowledge of WW II this is an excellent choice.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellently illustrated volume March 20, 2003

By Hussein M. H. Allam

Format:Hardcover

Zulzberger's book makes excellent use of photographs to enmesh the reader in the era of WWII. In addition, ample annotation and explanations are given. Highly recommended.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A engrossing Historical text that flows like a good novel! March 22, 2001

By Kirk D. Carver

Format:Hardcover

Although a bit too "patriotic", this was a good read from start to finish. Recommend for those who know little about the biggest conflict in history.

More depth was needed for pre-war Pacific Theatre. More charts, maps and technical descriptions would have been good as well.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent source! July 25, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

Reading the phenomenal new Second World War novel, "The Triumph and the Glory" rekindled my interest in WWII. Looking around for other books to read, I was happy to see that American heritage upgraded their classic "History of World War II" and ordered a copy right away. I love all of the superlative photography, and the text and commentary, as in the earlier edition, is first-rate. Thank you American Heritage.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent single volume overview of WWII. July 21, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

Naturally, no single book can ever hope to adequately detail the events between 1939-1945, but this is a great start. For anyone interested in World War II, the politics surrounding it, as well as the military actions, this is a great addition to any home library. Not just a fine looking coffee table book. You WILL read this cover to cover!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book July 23, 2006

By SRK

Format:Hardcover

Although the book has been written from an American perspective, the written content and the photographs are well balanced. A reader may think that too much importance is given to United States. Yes and No. Yes, because the entry of United States changed the whole proportion of World War II. No, because a fair amount of coverage has been given to fighthing at other hemispheres (although from a birds eye view of an American).

Winners write and rewrite history. This book has been written by United States. If you do not mind that, then it is a really fascinating book.

The book is well balanced with writting and photographs potraying World War II. I felt it more like a movie.

The book is a good one. I bought a old one in almost new condition for $10 and I never repented the money spent.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb September 14, 2012

By kay j small

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

After much research I truly believe this is the definitive account of the history of WW2. I own it myself & delight in gifting it to even the most disearing buff.