The Second World War (Paperback)

by John Keegan (Author) "'The First [World] War explains the second and, in fact, caused it, in so far as one event causes another,' wrote A.J.P. Taylor in his..." (more)
Key Phrases: atomic weapons programme, motorised divisions, fellow dictator, Red Army, United States, Soviet Union (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
The best one-volume treatment available, The Second World War by John Keegan is an outstanding synthesis of an enormous amount of material on "the largest single event in human history." The book proceeds chronologically through the war, but chapters appearing at appropriate moments focus on particular themes, such as war production, occupation, bombing, resistance, and espionage. Keegan's ability to translate the war's grand strategies is impressive, and the battle descriptions are superb. Generals obviously play a key role in this narrative, but ordinary soldiers also receive proper credit, as do the often-overlooked merchant marines whose heroic efforts to supply Great Britain made the Allied victory possible. Keegan, author of the landmark book The Face of Battle, is without doubt one of our greatest military historians, and here his analytical powers and skilled writing are on full display.

From Publishers Weekly
"This account of WW II, though controversial, is rich in fresh perception, interpretation and opinion. In addition to penning a fast-paced campaign chronicle, Keegan makes a convincing case for the prime motivations of Allied and Axis leaders, pinpoints the practical results of Allied summit conferences and defines the war's geopolitical dimensions," reported PW. Photos.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); Illustrated. edition (September 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 014011341X
• ISBN-13: 978-0140113419
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #114,864 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Terrific Thematic Approach to Understanding WWII!, July 2, 2000

By	Barron Laycock "Labradorman" (Temple, New Hampshire United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

While I do not agree that this is the single best one-volume treatment of World War Two available, I do agree it is a wonderful, eminently readable, and fascinating thematic approach that helps the reader look at the basic overarching themes to found in WWII. The introduction explaining how and why world wars became possible and attractive is worth the price of the book alone. Only Keegan could bring so much style, verve, and new perspective to such a widely covered subject as the Second World War. Therefore, understanding that the book is not an exhaustive and comprehensive history of the war on a battle by battle, theater by theater approach as one can find in other excellent one volume books such as Gerhard Weinberg's "A World At Arm" or Williamson Murray and Allan R. Millett's "A War To Be Won", it is still a singular tome with a unique and valuable perspective on the war that any self-respecting student of the war will not want to miss.

Also, given Mr. Keegan's mastery of the written word and his way with a phrase, this is a book one lets drag on as you read it slowly, stopping to think about what he has just written in a particular paragraph and what it means. This is indeed great stuff! The book is organized chronologically but devotes specific chapters in the general narrative to particular important factors influencing the progress and direction of the war effort, such as the nazi bombing campaigns, the Allied war air over Germany, war production, organized resistance in occupied countries, and the various types and relative successes associated with espionage.

Keegan's ability to marshal a stirring and articulate argument is unparalleled, and he relates the opposing forces' war strategies with an authority no one else can match. He also appreciates the many different levels of contribution to the overall war efforts ranging from unique leadership characteristics of specific individuals such as Montgomery, Patton, Eisenhower, and Marshall, but also pays attention to the massive contributions of ordinary soldiers, sailors, and war production civilians who made important efforts aiding ultimate victory. This is a very well-written and meticulously researched and documented book, and one I am glad to have on my World War Two bookshelf!

56 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Narrative, December 28, 1999

By	Matthew Martens (Guilderland, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Keegan provides an excellent narrative of a topic that is almost too big to include in one volume. He organizes the book into six parts, each covering a specific time frame and theatre of war (e.g., The War in the East 1943-1945). In each part he provides the reader with a description of important events, as well as "tidbits" of his own analysis. I found these "tidbits", where Keegan provides commentary on the usefulness of a particular strategy, long-term effect of a battle, etc., the most enlightening aspect of the book. I was frustrated by the lack of depth in the book, but I suppose that in a one-volume history one can expect only so much. I recommend this book for readers who have never read anything on World War II, or those who are interested in "brushing up" their general knowledge. If you are looking for detalied description and analysis of specific World War II events you should search elsewhere, but for a single volume general history Keegan's work is excellent.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps the best one-volume critical history of WWII, January 1, 1997

By A Customer

There has been too much written about World War II; it was not the only war in history, though the most destructive. Why, then, another volume on this over-examined period? Because, in short, this one treats the period with a critical eye that few other authors have summoned. Keegan, formerly a lecturer at Sandhurst and now a correspondent with the Daily Telegraph, brings to the subject an eye that questions heroism, jingoism, cliches and old assumptions which have been reinforced in retelling. His chapter on resistance movements during the war is chilling and depressing, but a needed anti- dote to the Hollywood renditions of "French Underground" history that tells lies and half-truths. Keegan blends all aspects of the war in a superb mixture of tactics, strategy, logistics, industry, horror and humanity. The book is divided into chapters which pick up topics of the war, such as the naval war, war industry production, air wars, background, etc. These topics are arranged in such a manner as to meld the chronology of the war into these topics. The result could sometimes be less satisfactory for a person who wants a straight "What-happened-when" treatment, but those can be found elsewhere. This book will question many of the assumptions we all hold about the war, and look them directly in the eye. Perhaps, after all, more does need to be written about the Second World War. But it needs to be written by authors who are more like John Keegan.