World War II For Dummies [Paperback]

Keith D. Dickson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764553526 | ISBN-13: 978-0764553523 | Publication Date: October 15, 2001 | Edition: 1

World War II was the most destructive event of the twentieth century. It was total war covering the entire globe, and the nations that fought it employed every available resource, harnessing both technology and people to one purpose. If you look at the world today, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a country that was not affected by this war.

If you want to find out more about this war, without being overwhelmed, World War II for Dummies can help. Whether you’re looking for a way to enhance your appreciation of the events that took place or just want to refresh your memory without digging through countless volumes of World War II history, this book is right for you.

Accurate and easily accessible World War II for Dummies will help you explore a war that defined and shaped the world we live in today. You’ll discover all the players—individuals as well as nations—who participated in the war and the politics that drove them. Battle by battle, you’ll find out how the Axis powers initially took control of the war and how the Allies fought back to win the day. World War II for Dummies also covers:

• The origins and causes of World War II
• The rise of Hitler and the Third Reich
• How the war was handled at home
• Germany’s invasion of Poland, France, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, and Luxembourg
• Great Britain’s refusal to surrender after forty-two days of German aerial bombardment
• The United States entrance into the war after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor
• The Allied invasion of Normandy (D-Day)
• Germany’s last ditch effort to stop the Allies at the Battle of the Bulge
• The use of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

World War II for Dummies is packed with fascinating anecdotes, interesting sidebars, and top ten lists, that clue you in on many of the issues of this war. This friendly reference gives you the scoop on everything from Pearl Harbor and the Holocaust to D-Day, Midway, and more.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Get the story on Hitler, Pearl Harbor, D-Day, and Hiroshima

Explore the war that shaped the "greatest generation" World War II was the most destructive conflict of the 20th century. How did it happen — and why? Packed with fascinating anecdotes, interesting sidebars, and top ten lists, this friendly reference clues you in on the issues that caused the war and gives you the scoop on everything from Pearl Harbor and the Holocaust to D-Day, Hiroshima, and more.

The Dummies Way^™ Explanations in plain English "Get in, get out" information Icons and other navigational aids Tear-out cheat sheet Top ten lists A dash of humor and fun

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About the Author

Keith D. Dickson is an associate professor of Military Studies at the Joint Forces Staff College, National Defense University. He is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Special Forces (the Green Berets).

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (October 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764553526
• ISBN-13: 978-0764553523
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.9 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #304,612 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent springboard to more in-depth study..., October 28, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: World War II For Dummies (Paperback)

I've seen dozens of World War 2 movies, but I never had an understanding of what really happened during the war, and why. I needed a book that would lay a foundation of understanding so I could put everything in perspective. With that in mind (and with the pending release of the Band of Brothers DVD) I decided to get "World War 2 for Dummies". I read this book faster and with more intensity than just about any other book in my life. I couldn't believe how interested I became in the campaigns, and it was great to have a light bulb come on whenever I connected an event with a movie or book. I couldn't believe how many scenes from movies and books came to mind as I read.

Because I am not a historian, or well read on the subject, I can't speak to any historical inaccuracies or bias in the text. There were also no footnotes, so you have to take all the facts and figures at face value, with no help in finding sources for further study.

I would have liked to have seen many more maps, as I found myself constantly looking for a map of territory being discussed, and frequently couldn't find it. I would have also liked footnotes pointing to movies and books that pertain to the subject at hand, either to tie it together, or point to further study. I would have also liked sidenotes mentioning controversial aspects of the war (maybe a "list-of-10") discussing areas of conspiracy or debate among historians, if just to acknowledge their presence. Things like "Did FDR know about the attack on Pearl Harbor beforehand?".

Since finishing this book, I've found myself looking at WW2 much more clearly; as I browse titles of books I might like to read, I can recognize battles and people. And I get excited about recording stuff off of the History Channel, as it is much easier to understand.

And now I finally know what they're so worried about in the "Sound of Music"; I've seen the movie many times, and never knew what the heck the "Anschluss" was!

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a soup-to-nuts overview of the politics, people and battles of World War 2. My dilemma now is whether to study WW2 further, or read some of the other History for Dummies (World, American, and Civil War) books.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good basic overview, January 20, 2003

By 

Fly Guy (Eastern Shore, Maryland) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: World War II For Dummies (Paperback)

I've always known a bit about the ETO (European Theater Ops), but not much at all about the PTO (Pacific Theater Ops). I found the opening chapter to the book especially helpful, as it explained why certain countries aligned the way they did before the war started. It also does a good job setting up the Japanese Empire's goals and directives, which I think gets ignored quite a bit in history classes. If you're a casual student of military history who wants a good foundation for deeper study, this is a great book (especially for high school students who want a good, easy read without getting bogged down in incredible detail). In addition, the maps are simplistic and easy to understand re: army movements.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best guide for Dummies, July 15, 2002

By 

Ricky (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This review is from: World War II For Dummies (Paperback)

This is definitely a classics for all beginners.
The book gives a full coverage of the War in very simple English. To help readers to understand key events and persons, maps and photographs are used extensively. While each chapter can be readed independently, my favourites are Chapter 6, 11 and 14.
A must-read for all readers who are interested in this subject.