Taylor & Francis Ltd Second World War in Europe: Second Edition 2nd edition

Unlike most other books on the subject this is a very welcome short book on the Second World War in Europe. Dr MacKenzie covers concisely all the major military campaigns, the important economic and social aspects of the war, and wartime diplomacy. After an opening chapter on the origins of the war, there are two main chronological chapters - providing a clear narrative and analysis of events- and two thematic ones looking at issues such as bararism and the Holocaust and strategic bombing and the U-Boat War. This is the ideal text for anyone studying the Second World War for the first time: succinct, up-to-date, and always highly readable. This is an updated edition of the first truly concise introduction to the history of World War II in the West. The author, S. P. MacKenzie traces the major events on both fighting front and home front, explaining what happened and, just as importantly, why the balance of fortunes swung first towards the Axis and then towards the Allies. Along with overviews of the origins and consequences of the conflict, the book: Provides a narrative account of the course of events on land throughout the warContains sections specifically devoted to societies and economies; resistance movements and collaboration; technology and intelligence; alliances and strategy; the war in the air and at seaAssesses the impact of the war and introduces the key historiographical debates surrounding itFar from being a blow-by-blow account, the book shows how the Second World War can only be understood by taking all the contributing factors - military, economic and social among others - into account. In addition to the existing wealth of useful supplementary material, this edition has been updated to include a colour illustration section and, for readers interested in learning more, a detailed narrative guide to published historical literature. Admirably succinct yet academically rich, this is the essential introduction to the Second World War in the West.