The Second World War

John Keegan’s landmark military history of World War II

Praised as “the best military historian of our generation” by Tom Clancy, John Keegan here reconsiders his masterful study of World War II, The Second World War, with a new foreword. Keegan examines each theater of the war, focusing on five crucial battles and offering new insights into the distinctive methods and motivations of modern warfare. In eloquent, perceptive analyses of the airborne battle of Crete, the carrier battle of Midway, the tank battle of Falaise, the city battle of Berlin, and the amphibious battle of Okinawa, Keegan illuminates the strategic dilemmas faced by the leaders and the consequences of their decisions on the fighting men and the course of the war as a whole.

“Truly magnificent… the best military historian of our generation.” ߝTom Clancy
 
“Analytical, concise, and coherent…if you want to know how it happened, read Keegan’s thoughtful and elegant prose.” ߝLos Angeles Times Book Review
 
“The Second World War merits the acceptance as the standard work that it will surely receive… features the eloquence we have come to expect of John Keegan.” ߝThe Washington Post Book World
 
“To write history is to choose, and Mr. Keegan’s choices and preferences are as interesting and stimulating as any I have seen… Boldly written and fair-minded.” ߝThe New York Times Book Review