Overview

This is a revised and updated edition of Evan Mawdsley's acclaimed global history of World War II. Beginning with the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War, Evan Mawdsley shows how the war's origins lay in a conflict between the old international order and the new and traces its globalisation as it swept through Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The primary focus is on the war's military and strategic history, though also examines the political, economic, ideological and cultural factors which influenced the course of events. The war's consequences are examined too, not only in terms of the defeat of the Axis but also of the break-up of colonial empires and the beginning of the Cold War. Accessibly written and well-illustrated with maps and photographs, the book also includes insightful short studies of the figures, events and battles that shaped the war, as well as fully updated guides to further reading.

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9781108496094

Table of Contents

Reviews

Review of the first edition: 'It is a rare textbook that is both cutting edge and new: the book proves that we need to place the start of the Second World War in East Asia in 1937, rather than Europe in 1939 or Russia and Pearl Harbour in 1941. It changes how we write history.' Times Higher Education Review of the first edition: 'To write a concise book about the biggest war in history is no small task, but Evan Mawdsley has done it with masterful skill and insight... What makes this a must-buy for anyone interested in the subject is the beautifully produced maps, illustrations and 57 short boxes on topics ranging from 'General Ludendorff and total war' to 'The Katyn massacre'. This is a superb read for students and general readers alike, but also an authoritative work of reference.' Joe Maiolo, BBC History Review of the first edition: 'Fresh, insightful judgements and well-judged overall balance make this a masterful book. Its effectiveness is enhanced by the use of side panels that convey important factual information about the tools of war ... without interrupting the flow of the narrative. In every respect - conception, design, construction and delivery - this is a book that really works.' John Gooch, War in History Review of the first edition: 'Professor Mawdsley is to be much congratulated on writing such a clear and perceptive account, and one that provides much food for thought.' Charles Messenger, The Journal of Military History

Review of the first edition: 'It is a rare textbook that is both cutting-edge and new: the book proves that we need to place the start of the Second World War in East Asia in 1937, rather than Europe in 1939 or Russia and Pearl Harbour in 1941. It changes how we write history.' Times Higher Education Review of the first edition: 'To write a concise book about the biggest war in history is no small task, but Evan Mawdsley has done it with masterful skill and insight … What makes this a must-buy for anyone interested in the subject is the beautifully produced maps, illustrations and 57 short boxes on topics ranging from 'General Ludendorff and total war' to 'The Katyn massacre'. This is a superb read for students and general readers alike, but also an authoritative work of reference.' Joe Maiolo, BBC History Review of the first edition: 'Fresh, insightful judgements and well-judged overall balance make this a masterful book. Its effectiveness is enhanced by the use of side panels that convey important factual information about the tools of war … without interrupting the flow of the narrative. In every respect - conception, design, construction and delivery - this is a book that really works.' John Gooch, War in History Review of the first edition: 'Professor Mawdsley is to be much congratulated on writing such a clear and perceptive account, and one that provides much food for thought.' Charles Messenger, The Journal of Military History

Review of the first edition: 'It is a rare textbook that is both cutting and new: the book proves that we need to place the start of the Second World War in East Asia in 1937, rather than Europe in 1939 or Russia and Pearl Harbour in 1941. It changes how we write history.' Times Higher Education Review of the first edition: 'To write a concise book about the biggest war in history is no small task, but Evan Mawdsley has done it with masterful skill and insight... What makes this a must-buy for anyone interested in the subject is the beautifully produced maps, illustrations and 57 short boxes on topics ranging from 'General Ludendorff and total war' to 'The Katyn massacre'. This is a superb read for students and general readers alike, but also an authoritative work of reference.' Joe Maiolo, BBC History Review of the first edition: 'Fresh, insightful judgements and well-judged overall balance make this a masterful book. Its effectiveness is enhanced by the use of side panels that convey important factual information about the tools of war ... without interrupting the flow of the narrative. In every respect - conception, design, construction and delivery - this is a book that really works.' John Gooch, War in History Review of the first edition: 'Professor Mawdsley is to be much congratulated on writing such a clear and perceptive account, and one that provides much food for thought.' Charles Messenger, The Journal of Military History

Review of the first edition: 'It is a rare textbook that is both cutting and new: the book proves that we need to place the start of the Second World War in East Asia in 1937, rather than Europe in 1939 or Russia and Pearl Harbour in 1941. It changes how we write history.' Times Higher Education Review of the first edition:'To write a concise book about the biggest war in history is no small task, but Evan Mawdsley has done it with masterful skill and insight... What makes this a must-buy for anyone interested in the subject is the beautifully produced maps, illustrations and 57 short boxes on topics ranging from 'General Ludendorff and total war' to 'The Katyn massacre'. This is a superb read for students and general readers alike, but also an authoritative work of reference.' Joe Maiolo, BBC History Review of the first edition: 'Fresh, insightful judgements and well-judged overall balance make this a masterful book. Its effectiveness is enhanced by the use of side panels that convey important factual information about the tools of war ... without interrupting the flow of the narrative. In every respect - conception, design, construction and delivery - this is a book that really works.' John Gooch, War in History Review of the first edition: 'Professor Mawdsley is to be much congratulated on writing such a clear and perceptive account, and one that provides much food for thought.' Charles Messenger, The Journal of Military History

Author Information

Evan Mawdsley is an Honorary Professorial Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow. His extensive teaching experience at Glasgow included a specialist course on the grand strategy of World War II. He is the author of a number of recent important books and articles on World War II, including Thunder in the East: The Nazi-Soviet War (2006/2015), December 1941: Twelve Days that Began a New World War (2009), and The War for the Seas: A Maritime History of World War II (2019). He was also general editor of the three-volume Cambridge History of the Second World War (2016).

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