World War II: The Definitive Visual History from Blitzkrieg to the Atom Bomb

DK Publishing provides a comprehensive and extensive source of information. The chronological timeline and concise narrative and amazing photographic display of World War II is an exceptional accompaniment to their companion publication of World War I. The Definitive Visual History From Blitzkrieg to the Atomic Bomb may be one of the most important resources when one may refer to a particular event of history for research and reference.However, the book may appear to be an encyclopedic format, it is more than that. In addition to the historical events, the important areas that are stressed within each of the pages include people, eyewitness, technological advancements that emerge during the war, critical points, and parallels to each theater of the war. But of course, the history of events are the highlight of the book, but one major element that may bring the history one step further are the unforgettable haunting images of hundreds of photographs that may not have been seen before as well as the maps and illustrations. Indeed, the tireless work of contributors that made this book possible cannot be overlooked such as editor Richard Holmes, consultants Charles Messengers and Jonathan Bastable, et al. that offered their expertise of archival, scholarly, and journalistic assistance to compile all of the information in one package. And for the narrative of World War II, each section begins with a timeline and a brief overview of World War I in 1914 within 42 pages to set the stage by 1939 to what led to the Second World War in Europe and Asia and the Pacific; the war was a continuum to the first of unresolved issues within economic, political, and social proportions that were also linked to cultural traditions that became skewed in interpretations. Importantly, a war that expanded beyond territories and peoples that were not in conflict during the first war, especially in Asia and the Pacific islands. Richard Holmes asserts, “The events of the war were inter-related by long and complex threads, and it is misleading to consider any single episode, no matter how significant, in isolation. One of the many virtues of this book is that it tells, on the one hand, the stories of specific battles and campaigns but, on the other, its layout enables the reader to see how these relate to previous and subsequent events”(Foreward).Aside from the layout of the book, it is a coffee table or one’s personal source to one of the most climactic events in world history and vividly exhibits year by year of the origins of how the war occurred. And similar to World War I, this book enlarges every important source that is included in this edition and concludes with an after thought with the last pages that mention the years to follow 1946-1950. No doubt, a great source and topic up for further discussion that may elaborate on war and remembrance.

Would be good in a high-school library

This book is a high quality product. Very heavy bound hardback book with good quality images. It is jam packed with information on the campaigns of World War Two. It includes eye witness accounts, descriptions of the leading officers, descriptions with images of equipment used for battles, and timelines by year. It's a great book for anyone who likes to study World War Two.

Beautifully illustrated and pretty comprehensive for the European theaters… but doesn’t cover the Asia Pacific theaters very well.

Thick hard cover book. Extremely detailed beginning with detailed reasons why you have to understand WWI, with it's eventual outcome and treaties, that precipitated WWII. Details all the major generals and leaders, as well as major campaigns and battles in both Europe and the Pacific fronts. Fantastic time-lines. 1,000's of haunting photos. Highly recommend it.

For anyone wanting to learn about WW II, this is the book for you. They have done a fantastic job of setting the stage by giving an overview of WW I so that you understand just what a menace Germany was even before WW II started.I realize now just how ignorant I was of of both World Wars, but especially WWII. I had no idea how just how insane Hitler must have been to think that he could take over the world (and nearly did). I didn't know how Germany and Russia agreed to split up Poland, how Hitler believed he could invade and overthrow Russia, how Britain and France both assured Poland they'd come to their aid if Germany invaded them, then stood by and watched Germany invade Poland without doing one damn thing for them. This is an extremely interesting book. Every page it seems I'm stunned by what I'm reading.I finally completed the book and REALLY enjoyed reading it (and I'm not a big reader at all). The writing, the way they lay out the time line and the pictures all make understanding WW II very clear. This is an exceptional book.If you have ANY interest in learning about WW II, this is the place to start, hands down!

Mainly got this for my father for a birthday gift. He really is fascinated about this time period and any other view point on the subject is fascinating to him.

No issues.