World War II: A Short History (3rd Edition) [Paperback]

Michael J. Lyons (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2, 1998 | ISBN-10: 0130954772 | ISBN-13: 978-0130954770 | Edition: 3 Sub

Highly regarded for its clarification of the complexities of World War II, the book illuminates the origins, course, and long-range effects of the war and provides a balanced account that analyzes both the European and Pacific theaters of operations and the connections between them. The Fourth Edition incorporates new material from the latest literature, offering modified conclusions on key topics and expanding coverage throughout. The author examines the origins of World War II, the legacy of World War I, the rise of the dictators, the road to war, Germany's march of conquest, globalization of the war, the second front question and the invasion of North America, war in the Atlantic, the allied bombing offensive, the home fronts, and the triumph of the allies. For World War II enthusiasts.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Highly regarded for its clarification of the complexities of the War, this text illuminates the origins, course, and long-range effects of World War II and provides a balanced account that does justice to both the European and Pacific Theaters of operations and the connections between them. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

This book is designed for courses on World War II, Military History, and 20th Century Europe. Highly regarded for its clarification of the complexities of World War II, the book illuminates the origins, course, and long-range effects of the war and provides a balanced account that analyzes both the European and Pacific Theaters of operations and the connections between them. The Third Edition incorporates new material from the latest literature, offering modified conclusions on key topics and expanding coverage throughout.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 367 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 3 Sub edition (June 2, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130954772
• ISBN-13: 978-0130954770
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,330,594 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Good General Text On WWII!, July 11, 2003

By 

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

This review is from: World War II: A Short History (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

This interesting and very well written book is intended as a general text book for teaching purposes, and as such is geared to a more basic and general understanding of the broad sweep, causes, course, and effects of the Second World War than it is a revealing or thought-provoking examination or reinterpretation of all the evidence such as Weinberg's magisterial "A World At Arms" or Murray and Millet's comprehensive "A War To Be Won". That being said, it is indeed an excellent text, now in its third edition.

Written by author Michael J. Lyons, it comprises a very readable overview of every salient aspect in the war, albeit briefly, in all the political, diplomatic, economic, military and human dimensions in which the war was played out. Not only does it quite adequately detail the significant events precipitating the conflict, but also describes very well the manifest consequences of the defeat of both Germany and Japan. Lyons gives us a reader-friendly account of both European and Pacific campaigns, and provides a lot of interesting and useful connections between the two fronts.

Long in use, the book is generally regarded as being quite literate and yet eminently readable, hence its wide use in college classrooms. The text not only provides the kind of comprehensive overview students need to make sense of such an overwhelming historical phenomenon as WWII, but also serves to illuminate the mechanics behind the origins, course, and consequent long-term effects of that war, providing a well reasoned and balanced overview that while uncontroversial, also pulls few punches regarding causes and effects. I would recommend its purchase for anyone wanting a nice hardbound overview that is easy to read and also relatively kind to one's limited resources. Enjoy

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Good General Text On WWII!, July 11, 2003

By 

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

This review is from: World War II: A Short History (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

This interesting and very well written book is intended as a general text book for teaching purposes, and as such is geared to a more basic and general understanding of the broad sweep, causes, course, and effects of the Second World War than it is a revealing or thought-provoking examination or reinterpretation of all the evidence such as Weinberg's magisterial "A World At Arms" or Murray and Millet's comprehensive "A War To Be Won". That being said, it is indeed an excellent text, now in its third edition.

Written by author Michael J. Lyons, it comprises a very readable overview of every salient aspect in the war, albeit briefly, in all the political, diplomatic, economic, military and human dimensions in which the war was played out. Not only does it quite adequately detail the significant events precipitating the conflict, but also describes very well the manifest consequences of the defeat of both Germany and Japan. Lyons gives us a reader-friendly account of both European and Pacific campaigns, and provides a lot of interesting and useful connections between the two fronts.

Long in use, the book is generally regarded as being quite literate and yet eminently readable, hence its wide use in college classrooms. The text not only provides the kind of comprehensive overview students need to make sense of such an overwhelming historical phenomenon as WWII, but also serves to illuminate the mechanics behind the origins, course, and consequent long-term effects of that war, providing a well reasoned and balanced overview that while uncontroversial, also pulls few punches regarding causes and effects. I would recommend its purchase for anyone wanting a nice hardbound overview that is easy to read and also relatively kind to one's limited resources. Enjoy

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Review of Lyons' World War II: A Short History, January 13, 2005

By 

D. Tsang - See all my reviews

This review is from: World War II: A Short History (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

The book definitely offers a good overview of the EUROPEAN part of World War II, from diplomatic, economic, military before and during the conflict. Lyons offers a balanced view of conflict and that would both be suitable for academics and general readers alike. Lyons' style also provide the wealth of information in an interesting way.

However, Lyons' spent most of its time on Europe and overlooks the World War II outside the Western Hemisphere. It would be easy to overlook that China and Japan has already began fighting in July 1937, over two years before Germany invaded Poland on September 1939.