Heavy on the numbers of troops, tanks, planes, tonnage of bombs, and casualties, unapologetic about the firebombing and atomic bombing of enemy cities, disproportionately focused on the European theater at the expense of the Pacific. But fascinating in its central thesis: that the Axis lost because of fascist ideology. Hitler consistently was his own worst enemy because his beliefs about racial superiority and the Fuhrer principle distorted his judgment, while the democracies' relative openness and governance by debate led to better decisions over the long run. There have been countless histories of WWII written since the conflict ended in 1945. This raises the question of why yet another book on the subject is necessary. The subtitle promises "A new history..." And from this readers viewpoint, it does that and more. This was a well researched book that I could not put down. Andrew Roberts put this complex story in a new and clear perspective. Details I thought I knew about were restated in a clear concise way. I especially appreciated Roberts raising and shedding new light on vital questions such as: why did the Allies not bomb the "death camps", or the 20 July plot to kill Hitler May have been a bad thing if it had been successful. This is, by far, the best history of WWII I have read.
Do You like book Storm Of War (2009)?
Very interesting viewpoint of WWII. I love read spins on historical events! Very fascinating!
—caseyjones
After you read this comprehensive history of WW2, you'll never want to read another
—Ladydragon
Maps should have been placed throughout the book instead of all at the beginning.
—ron
Excellent one volume history of WWII. Accessible and reads like a novel.
—neha
Pretty good, well written, engaging and thoughtful
—anik
